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!

Sequels are rarely as good as the originals, but that was not true today...

I hadn’t been in a pool in over 40 years and now I’ve been twice in two weeks. This is nothing short of a miracle. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would enjoy swimming. Ever.

I have an extreme fear of water, epilepsy, a heart condition and a lung condition. Being near water terrifies me not only from a fear perspective but from a “what if I had a seizure in the water or my lungs played up”…… that could be really bad.

It’s been easier to avoid water for 4 decades than even attempt to try anything in water, except shower.

Trying Cérge the first time was amazing and gave me so much confidence in having support that I went to the pool again today.

We ventured down to Bribie Aquatic which was a completely new location. Usually I would be nervous but having used Cérge the other week I trusted the staff at the pool would look after me. It felt good, kinda like the smart heart tick, that makes you know something is a better choice at the shops. I knew because they have Cérge, that they care. It’s a good feeling.

I was excited today, I spoke to my Support Worker about wanting to learn to swim. These are big words…. I’ll remind you… 40years! I was a grasshopper last time I was in a pool.

When we arrived Lisa was fantastic she showed us the pools and the areas and was so friendly, she made me feel right at home straight away. I was ready to get in and get going and it felt good to be excited and not nervous for once. What a difference that makes.

I swam quite a few lengths of the pool with a pool noodle, this is huge for me because being in the middle of the pool is the scariest bit. But I did it and gee I’m proud of myself!

Lisa checked on us whilst I was swimming and made sure I was having fun, and I really was!

I noticed they have a whirlpool, I want to try that next!

It’s like my youth is ignited, I can feel my fear displacing and my adrenaline junkie side coming out. Hehe.

I got to talking to someone at the pool today too, I was so excited that it helped my confidence and I started chatting.

Its amazing how I can now imagine going to the pool regularly, learning to swim, meeting friends.

I never knew this could be MY life!

A whole new part of my life has opened up and I’m truly so happy!

Thank you so much Cérge for doing what you do, you are giving me the extra in the ordinary!

Thank you Bribie Aquatic, see you next week in the whirlpool! Yeeharrr!!! <<Read what happens next moving from Isolation to Independence>><<Read the original Story of Inclusion from two weeks earlier here>> 

I use a mobility scooter for all of my outings so it is vitally important that I have access to information about different places. I can’t tell you the amount of times I get caught where I can’t access a grocery aisle, a corner store, a clothing store or a chemist. Things like the size of the aisles, the doorways can all mean I can’t access them. Not to mention not being able to reach things on shelves. My partner is also my carer and so when I heard about Cérge we had a chat and decided to see what all the fuss was about. I don’t like to make a bother for people, I just want to be able to access the places I need and want to enjoy my life. Seeing Mudgereeba Aquatic Centre on the Cérge website was great, so close to me and a place I wanted to visit for hydrotherapy. My partner and I sat and looked through the Visual Story and Access Guide to make sure I was, 1. Find suitable parking 2. Able to get inside from the carpark 3. Get in the doorway 4. Have somewhere I can get changed 5. Get into the pool 6. Water at a temp that is ok for my hydrotherapy 7. Enjoy myself with minimal anxiety After looking through the tools I felt happy and equipped with the information to be able to attend. Abby was the staff member who greeted me when I arrived and she was so welcoming and helpful. She was a breath of fresh air and had the whole situation under control and we felt very at ease. I use pool noodles and enjoyed such a great swim. You need to take your own equipment to the pool which is pretty standard. We felt very accomplished and I would love to return to this pool! It’s so good for my body to move but it’s even better for the mindset! I really enjoyed myself, thank you everyone :)

I generally only go places that I have been or the person who I am going with has been. That way someone is familiar with the surroundings and layout. Having Cerge meant that I could get an idea of the layout and my anxiety was under control because I knew where exits were and what to expect. The Visual Story and Virtual tour were definitely two tools that I would use on a daily basis if Cerge was everywhere. I have an invisible disability so people don’t understand the lack of eye contact or when I become flustered or forget my manners. Sometimes I say things that aren’t quiet socially acceptable but it’s because unknown place and people make me feel quite nervous. I was able to use the app today and let the staff know at the Kingston Butter Factory these key points about me and that made me feel so much comfortable before arrival because I knew the assumptions and judgements were taken out of the equation. Today at Kingston Butter Factory it was a really quiet day we were some of the few people visiting. We had a great opportunity to look at the art works and explore the space. Staff member Dan showed us around all of the spaces to make me feel more comfortable. He explained what happened in each of the rooms and the other people I might see upstairs and who they were and their roles within the organisation. He had a very calm demeanour and was very helpful. After we left I felt very happy. Not exhausted like I normally do after leaving somewhere. This is probably due to less anxiety and the fact that is was quiet and we were able to look around at our own pace. Outings usually deplete me greatly so I can tend to avoid them, where as today I left feeling more energy! Bonus! Having an invisible disability makes it hard for people to understand why I can’t cope with noises and movement. Also knowing that I wouldn’t have an access issue with my NCAA (non canine assistance animal) made it so much easier. Confrontation can bring on a panic attack and knowing that they were accepting was awesome. So many families with children need this app even if it’s just for the Visual Stories to help them know what to expect. The difference for families would be incredible. I would love to see Cérge at more CAFE’s, museums and art galleries in Brisbane City and near me. I’d probably be able to enjoy a full day out if it was like this!

I have PTSD and Anxiety and for this reason I have an Assistance Dog named Hunter. Hunter helps minimise my anxiety and work with me to lower my PTSD triggers. When you have PTSD it can be misunderstood, come on suddenly and can feel terrifying in the middle of it all. I tend to stay”safe” to minimise the worst happening.New experiences can be very difficult for me and Hunter will have to work quite hard. If the event gets more challenging it can be quite stressful.I read some amazing stories about Cérge and saw the Adelaide Hill Recreation Centre just adopted Cérge. This is exciting and kind of scary to be honest. I want so badly to get into a yoga class or body balance not only for my physical body but for my mind. The idea of going to recreation centre I’ve never been to is terrifying. They are usually big and loud and everyone seems to know what to do but me. I never know if I’m in the right place the right clothes and there are always too many mirrors.Before I decided to attend Adelaide Hills Recreation I looked on the Cérge website and went through their Visual story. I was able to see each room, the equipment, entrances and toilets. I also read through the noises that may be heard, I need this for myself but also for Hunter. Along with smells, for obvious reasons. This relieved so so much anxiety. Just knowing what I would see and what the venue looked like reduce my anxiety and made me enthusiastic to visit.When I arrived I was greeted so openly and warmly by Nathan. I had already sent a notification so I knew, they knew I was coming and that was great. I didn’t have to feel awkward and on edge about Hunter which triggers anxiety which makes Hunter work harder which gives anxiety and around and around we go.I had a look around the facilities and I have picked the 8am Yoga class and I am excited for this to begin in my life! I am so pumped! It’s been a while since I felt like this was achievable for me!I would love to see Cérge in places like all small businesses, shopping centres and hospitals this would help me reintegrate into society so much easier.

As a Paralympian who has travelled to many parts of the globe I know all about access or lack there of. I am wheelchair user and access to me is very important. I can arrive at a destination and literally not be able to get in and access it. It’s very very frustrating.I know Cérge isn’t about making sure every business is spot on with their access but what Cérge does is gives you all the information on the venue so that you can make an informed decision. This just makes sense. Kinda like being a vegan and looking at a menu before you go to a restaurant to make sure you can eat something.As a Paralympian I have spent my fair share of time in gyms and rec centres. Many, all over the place. Good, bad and ugly.Today I visited Michael Clarke and used the Cérge app to let them know I was on my way and what I required. The staff at the centre were wonderful, they were friendly, helpful, polite and could not have done more for me. I was given a grand tour of their lovely premises and I felt welcomed and very at eased. To be honest I could not rate them highly enough 10/10 for today's visit.My lovely tour guide was Jerson and he was such a lovely friendly person, he made me feel very comfortable, there was no rush and he was happy to take as much time as I needed. He was informative and so very polite and happy.Usually going to a new venue I would feel very nervous because I would have some anxiety that I may not be able to access the centre. I would have million things going around my mind and also hoping I will be treated respectfully.Today after using Cérge and looking at all the information I felt very calm and relaxed, everything about my experience there was amazing.I felt like a VIP from start to finish.Having information before I went to the any new venue and having the staff prepared and welcoming before my visit would make all the difference if Cérge was in places like cafes, restaurants, the theatre! Oh it would be so helpful to my life!Today was really great, as a person who owns a company - "Wheelie Essentials” to help wheelchair users with accessories when travelling I’m certainly not new to understanding the challenges we encounter daily but gee it’s refreshing to have such amazing and innovative technology breaking into the world! How truly exciting!