Cérge

My life story is a long one and I don’t need to go into all the details, but I have been diabetic from aged 7. I had a sub arachnid haemorrhage (SAH) two years ago. I have an ABI which caused a stroke and I still don't have full mobility. Because of this I tire quickly when walking. I'm immune suppressed from a double transplant of kidney and pancreas therefore I get anxiety with big crowds. I won’t even start with the 3 emergency c sections. That’s for another day! Due to my immunity choosing adventures outside is always good for me, fresh air is a good medicine and less germs. However,I need to plan my days around my mobility and the access to a venue. I use a walker at times, big days I use my wheelchair. I make the most out of life and enjoy trying new things. It can just be exhausting trying to plan for support workers, access, people staring, people assuming. I also have trouble finding the right words and need people not to slowly talk to me like I’m stupid but also not talk at me at a million miles an hour. Just please have a conversation with me and give me a chance to respond. The world can be so fast and especially when trying to process new information. I saw the social media stories about Cérge and wasn’t sure whether it was for me. I checked it out online and asked some questions to get clarity from the Cérge team. I don’t like to stand out but I do like to get involved in life. I liked that Cérge seemed like a wide variety of people were using it and that you could literally just access the information and go about your day. I like that I’m in control. A support worker is completely different to using Cérge.Using Cérge is like being able to support myself fully because I have the information before I go and then use support for the things I’ve already decided I’d like to do not the other way around. I browsed through the different venues and started to feel very excited, there is an access guide and visual story plus a virtual tour. I get more information about the venue online than even being at the venue itself and missing stuff hahah I chose to visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. What a day. Wow! I find it really hard when ppl look at you and see the disability and treat you different. Here I didn't feel that. I felt like everyone else enjoying the animals and the nature. Oh the nature! I saw so many koalas, saw a Tassie devil growl…. And yawn. They aren’t terrifying at all! Hehe I got to feed kangaroos and wallabies. The paths are awesome, heaps of tables for me to wheel up to! We’re cruising along and I saw the dingos being walked. I got to get up close and personal as the handler said it was good training for them to be around wheelchairs. The encounter with the Dingo was pure timing and chance. My lucky day :) Cérge, thank you! Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, thank you. I am so full of adventure and life and feel excited about all the venues I can now try out and add to my life and LIVING! YES!

Today we made a friend with Cérge. Going swimming isn't something we usually do as many venues can’t cater to our needs of a quiet space.  But today we arrived at the venue Ascot Vale Leisure Centre feeling good, my son was slightly nervous but staff were welcoming so that eased his nervousness. We had a great relaxing, quiet swim and then a quick exit as the kids were worked out after their swim and will most definitely be back again!
I can see how the Cérge app will make life easier for so many people and parents /carers.
Knowing the venue knew what we needed and could provide it eased out anxiety so much.
I hope every business adopts Cérge, it would certainly give us more options as a family. By Jo Jo – A Mum

I made a trip down to White’s Supa IGA on Monday, the newest partner addition to the Cérge app and wanted to share my experience.The whole team were fantastic I sent my notification with a request to please lower the music and the lights, I was lucky enough to have my peer worker with me for the day so I didn’t need as much assistance as I would if I was to go shopping alone.I checked in as we parked the car and by the time we got to the front door a manager was there to welcome us by name, how fancy!They had turned the music off completely which was lovely however due to the building being owned by Stockland they were unable to adjust the lights as it is seen as a health and safety issue. As they are now the store is well lit but certainly not anywhere near as bright and glaring as the big box stores. They are working hard to find a solution for this whilst still keeping everyone safe, so hopefully it will be an available option in the future.We also discussed what assistance is available for those of us shopping solo and I was pleased to hear that they will do everything they can to help, including having a team member shop with you if they are free.The manager gave us a tour of the store, asking questions about my dietary requirements and what I enjoyed eating then pointed out specific isles that met my needs. I know for some people this can be triggering but please know that I am sure my boundaries would have been respected if I had declined to answer.After confirming that everything was ok, she left us to shop in peace with the reassurance that if we needed anything all we had to do was ask a team member.Their product range is extensive with many unique options that you don’t see or are difficult to find in larger stores, including a wide variety of gluten free and vegan products, some of which I had never seen before and I will be going back to purchase later.I did not need my stick on Monday but the isles are wide and easily accessible for those of us using mobility aides.All in all a wonderful shopping experience and great to see local businesses joining Cérge so we can support them in return.

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!

"My son Henry is autistic and has very poor proprioception and muscle tone so he doesn’t go to a lot of places often because it’s usually far too much sensory input for him. His “wet noodling” around the place can crash into things etc. This causes extreme frustration and embarrassment for him and sometimes staff can be rude at times like this or not know how to help. It’s frustrating and my heart breaks for my son.I have to say I was pretty nervous going to White Ridge Farm with my son. I wasn’t sure how he would cope, how the staff would be and to be honest, if it would just be a disaster. We knew @cerge was at the farm so we were keen to give it a go as we have heard great things.The night before I read through the Visual Story on the app with the children and they felt as though they knew what to expect and were very excited. This was an amazing resource and certainly helped my own nerves because I new everyone had seen photos of the venue along with sights, smells and other possible sensory interactions.I notified White Ridge Farm on the app 60 mins before our arrival about our must knows which were areas and activities that are less noisy/busy with fewer people and plenty of space for Henry’s unique walking style and that we are bringing along the pram for him to sit in when he needs to.I received notification that they had read and acknowledged our requirements within 10 minutes of sending it. Talk about service!I booked our tickets online prior to ensure that we wouldn’t have to spend too much time at the entrance buying them where Henry would get anxious before our day even started. That process was great the staff member at the counter acknowledged that we were with Cérge and took extra time to go into further detail about the farm, directed at the children, about some of the sounds/smells/textures they may come across on our journey and gave them a map to help them orientate. This was great and made us feel like we were appreciated and not a bother.Once inside, the area was vast and there was PLENTY of the space that we needed on the paths. The staff were very friendly and answered every single one of Henry’s questions (and this kid asks a LOT of questions ). They also reiterated some of the strange ways his hand may feel as he feeds the animals, which is something I hadn’t even considered so thankful to them for that!Being able to take our own food and have a picnic was perfect as it’s always so hard to find foods that Henry will eat based on texture and we generally avoid places where outside food is prohibited.I would definitely recommend it to any families wanting a great day out! It was so great! The ability to let the farm know our situation through Cérge prior to arrival, the Visual Story to prepare and the amazing staff at Whites Ridge Farm. What a great day! I can’t wait to go out again and usually after a day out I think I never want to go out again! 

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.