Cérge

When people don’t try and communicate and can’t be bothered it makes me feel uncomfortable, unimportant and small. Just because I can’t hear doesn’t mean I should be treated differently.  Today I arrived at Huntly Aquatic using the Cérge App. I am a Deaf woman and communicate via sign and lip reading mostly. I often have communication struggles and a lot of people do not use sign language or it takes them a while to realise I am Deaf and that I need to communicate differently than what they may have assumed.  However today, at Huntly Aquatic I was greeted by two staff members who were very pleasant and kind. I will be honest I was nervous because I wasn’t sure what it would be like or if there would be a communication breakdown. I had put my information into the app so I knew they were aware which I think helped both sides prepare.  When I arrived we spoke together for about 5 mins, we used a range of gestures, writing and typing on the phone which is fine. I liked that they were enthusiastic to do their best to communicate with me and it didn’t feel like a bother.  We enjoyed having a chat :) I was able to find out everything I needed to know about the venue and the locations of all 3 pools. They have a kids areas too which was great because now I shall return with my kids and have a great family inclusive day out.  Being a Deaf person  sometimes I experience people thinking I have a low intelligence or that I won’t understand them. This is a really damaging assumption as I am a smart woman and live a great life, I just can’t hear. I am really mindful of not wanting my kids to experience or witness discrimination as I went them to have a great experience in the world and see all people as equals.  I really enjoyed using the Cérge app, I had heard good things about it from a friend who used it in Auckland and so I was happy to give it a go!

I was a Chef many years ago and because of my spinal injury and some other concerns in my life at the time I had to stop. It broke my heart because it’s a true love of mine.

I started my apprenticeship at 17 as soon as I finished yr 12 and was lucky to study at the Sofitel Culinarily Academy. Starting in a local pub (Where I learnt a lot), I very quickly I got to work with some of the best chefs and in the greatest kitchens in the country. It truly sucked having to stop. 

I love Cérge and am a frequent user so when I saw that Cérge was available for the Chefs In Conversation at The Curated Plate Festival on the Sunshine Coast I jumped at the chance to attend!

I notified Altitude 9 that I would be on my way and arrive within the hour. I had my Support Worker Poppy with me and I let the venue know the things I needed them to know for the day. I use a mobility aid and so I had already checked out all the information online so I knew in advance I could access the venue.

I have a bunch of food allergies and I knew food would be tough for me. I ate beforehand as my food can honestly be incredibly hard for me. They were amazing and offered different options but I was happy to hear the chefs talk.
I felt so at home and it was amazing to be around industry leaders such as Peter Kuruvita (Alba) and also a living legend! 
Tom Hitchcock (Spirit House) which is a world class venue, Cameron Mathews ( Mapleton Public House) and Stacey Connor (Humble on Duke) who was great to talk to!

One thing I feel so happy about is that the partnership between this event and Cérge is the only reason it was possible for me. This is an event I wouldn’t consider because it would feel way too hard and overwhelming. Simply because they had Cérge I knew they cared, it meant I could do something that it of my comfort zone but that offered a way to fill my heart again by being around such incredible chefs. It was absolutely so inspiring. I spoke with Stacey from Humble on Duke and what a great person. Very interesting and passionate about the industry. 

When I arrived I was made to feel so incredibly welcome by Jarnia, her happy, welcoming vibe where nothing was too much trouble. I could feel all she wanted was for me to have a good time. 

Thank you for such a great event within a wonderful festival, but mostly, thank you for caring and considering me.

It matters.
 

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 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 :)