Cérge

On Saturday, my partner and I had a delightful date playing mini-golf at Point Walter Golf Course! For me, managing social situations can be tricky fas I experience additional barriers to communication, social anxiety and agoraphobia.When I am faced with unfamiliar faces or new settings, my comfort zone shrinks and being able to vocally communicate becomes impossible. That's where my AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) device steps in, helping me connect with others when I cannot rely on my vocal speech.The biggest hurdle for me in accessing the community often lies in people's perceptions. Using an AAC device sometimes leads to misconceptions, such as the assumption that I can't hear when other’s talk or that I don’t have the capacity to understand what they’re saying.It can sometimes be amusing to witness the charades people do trying to act out what they want to communicate before I type the familiar phrase, “Please speak as you usually would—I can hear and understand you”. Sometimes amusing, often frustrating.So….. here's where the magic happened! The Cérge app put me in the driver's seat, allowing me to decide which of my access needs I shared and the level of detail I felt comfortable sharing. See ya later assumptions! Instead of explaining the intricacies behind the way my Autism presents, I could focus on what I needed on that particular day at that particular venue to enjoy it stress-free.Checking the Sensory Guide before leaving the house was a game-changer. It reminded me to grab my noise-cancelling headphones, hat, sunscreen and therefore preparing me for both the environment at the golf course and the noise levels I might experience at the cafe.Richard in reception was open and receptive to communicating with me and made me feel seen and welcome. He took the time to explain the details of the course in a way that gave me all the information I needed without any uncertainty.The result? An absolutely fantastic time at Point Walter Golf Course!Even though my partner beat my score by 10 (lucky them!), I had a wonderful time!Thanks to the Cérge app, putting me in control and making the outing stress-free and enjoyable!

Hey Cèrge,I would like to say a big thank you for inviting me to be apart of this app and community. Today was my first time visiting the Tewantin RSL for lunch, the staff are amazing so helpful and friendly they made me feel welcome and the food was so good I will give them a 10/10#rsl #hospitality #inclusion #customerservice Tewantin Noosa RSL Noosa Shire Council #brisbane2032 #accessibletourism

Heidi greeted me with a huge wave as I arrived and I felt a sigh of relief leave my body. It was like I was running into an old friend.  She smiled and grabbed the medications I required.She faced me whilst talking which was my request so that I could lip read. She asked me to teach her some signs and I did, even though I’m a bit rusty myself hehe! Not everyone signs and not everyone lip reads either. I was so scared, I felt a bit raw and vulnerable walking in. I didn’t want a fuss or to feel like a bother like I have so many times before. It was a lot of trust to put into the Cérge app and I wasn’t sure it would truly help. I have to say though I am very surprised. I left Amcal Wilsonton feeling like my friend had just served me and honestly, truly cared. What a difference. It’s one of those things, I didn’t know how much I missed feeling “normal”, how much I craved just feeling like a regular customer who is heard and seen. Thank you Cérge, thank you Amcal Wilsonton, I’m telling all my friends! Incredible.

The further adventures of Cérge!Today reaffirmed just how life changing Cérge is…At this time of year we are all under extra pressure, add in a chronic illness or disability and things can build up pretty quickly. Using Cérge I can eliminate the stress of a “Big Box Store” shop and support local businesses at the same time.A huge thanks to the team from White's IGA Bli Bli for assisting me today, easing my sensory overload by turning down the lights and switching the music off. It may seem small but I assure you, even this minor adjustment helps myself and many others function so much better day to day. Thanks for the support White’s IGA

Last week, one of our support workers and participants used the Cérge app for the first time! Entering in access needs and support information needed to support Carol was quick and easy. Upon arriving they were greeted and a water wheelchair was waiting at the accessible change rooms.Carol is vision impaired and has a physical disability. Carol looks forward to her weekly outing at TRAC but at times her needs are not met with limited access to the bathroom and often Carol needs to wait for the shower commode chair.Through using the Cérge app, Carol was treated as an individual that relies on support to access the community and on arrival everything was ready to go! Thank you Cérge and TRAC for helping our community to achieve its health goals!Support Your Way recommends checking out the Cérge app & TRAC! Join the Cérge Community and find out more!

I was a competitive swimmer when I was younger, it was my happy place. Life happened, kids happened and it felt like a lifetime ago.For the past two years I’ve battled with a disease called Small Fibre Neuropathy (SFN) which makes it extremely hard to do everyday tasks. SFN is extremely painful.I have two boys, I’m tough, I’m a positive person and I’m the last person who would think of myself as having a disability or barrier. It’s just who I am. It took about 12 months for doctors to work out why I had such excruciating pain so often. I could barely walk. Still, there are days I struggle. I hate talking about the struggle because it’s not who I am. I just want to be able to feel good for my boys.I have followed Cérge for a while after seeing a really uplifting story and although I didn’t think its was for me, because again, I don’t feel like I have a barrier. I realised that actually I could try this app to give staff a heads up on what’s going on for me. Cérge seems like it’s for everyone who just needs something a bit extra or different and I didn’t feel like it was going to make me feel like a burden.I saw on the website that Cérge was at the Nerang pool which is reasonably local to me. I was nervous even thinking about exercising when standing to cook dinner causes me pain. How would I ever exercise? But, I don’t know, something made me feel like it was worth the attempt. Maybe Cérge was my little motivator friend.I took a look at the website and got a good idea of the pool and the amount of stairs etc. u was pretty nervous about being sore after swimming, and to be honest, I am .
But, my heart is full! My energy is back and my vibe about having something for me is fuelled!I love swimming, I always have! It’s been 8 years since I even dipped a toe in. I was terrified to go back, always too busy, always too much in. Nothing like a bit of pain to motivate you hey.
I do have to say, if Cérge wasn’t there and I didn’t feel like the pool was a safe space I wouldn’t have tried and another 8 years would easily pass.“Swimming” is now booked in to my calendar every week! This is going to help me on so many levels!