Aquaduck Sunshine Coast
Stories of Inclusion / Aquaduck Sunshine Coast
“I don’t need it easy, I just need it possible" – Bethany Hamilton (Disabled Pro Surfer).
For a while now I have been trying my best to have new experiences but sometimes due my disability which makes me a bit unsteady on my feet (stairs can be a bit tricky) and being touch sensitive to some sensations, sticking with the activities and places I know can be easier and pushing myself into the unknown can be tough.
When I saw that Cérge was launching on Aquaduck Sunshine Coast and I couldn’t believe it. I had seen the Aquaduck before and wanted to go, but was unsure about it all. Cerge made it possible.
Cérge has a virtual tour of the Aquaduck experience so I was able to virtually walk on board, check out the seats, look how many stairs there were and prepare.
This made my whole experience so much better. I had very little anxiety about trying something new because I could see everything and had a complete mind map of what was ahead. I knew the areas I would need support for the stairs, I could see how the seats were organised. I knew where I wanted to sit. I could see the location of the boat driver and other passengers and all of this combined made my anxiety very little.
My Support Worker, Mel and I had a wonderful time on board. I am looking forward to using the app more often to help us communicate to the business what we need before we arrive which just saves time and make the whole experience far more inclusive.
I’m very excited that Cérge is now available at such cool and fun places! It makes me want to try new things that I never usually would! It opens up all sort of possibilities for me that I may not have had the courage to try before.
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This Story of Inclusion made possible by the Queensland Government's Accessible Tourism Enablers Grant and the Access Accelerator Program, a partnership between Spinal Life Australia & Cérge.
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A few years ago I hadn’t left my house for 5 years. I would go and get my food shopping and return home. I didn’t go out for coffee, I didn’t visit friends, I NEVER tried anything new. My medical conditions had deteriorated, anxiety had spiked and life just felt bad. I know it sounds negative but I want to be honest here
I honestly can’t believe my life and how’s it’s changed over this last year.
I have an amazing Support Worker who has initiative and drive. When Robyn found out about Cérge, a disability companion app, she asked me if I wanted to try it out and I am forever grateful.
The app allows me to tell the business what I need before I arrive which makes me feel very supported and seen. I am also able to get my bearings by viewing the Virtual Tour, very handy.
So get this, I have a terrible fear of water, an insane fear. Over the past 12 months with the help of Cérge and Robyn I have been able to visit swimming pools to help me work on this.
Well guess what! Today I went on Aquaduck!!
Can you believe it!!’
A BOAT!
I was nervous, terrified really. I mean swimming at an aquatic centre was scary enough, but being on the ocean in a boat is a massive learning curve and challenge for me. And only 5mins earlier this boat was a truck driving around Mooloolaba.
The staff were incredible and made me feel so at home. I felt like a bloke on the water, living life like it should be lived on the Sunshine Coast!
I smiled the entire journey home.
I felt so included, so seen and like I was able to do things I didn’t even allow myself to even dream of.
I was the guy, sad, sick, lonely and scared. And now I’m the guy who is brave, happy, conquering fears and experiencing new things.
I actually can’t believe this is happening.
I thought fun things were over for me. I was in a rut and here I am now!
I couldn’t be happier!
Thank you Aquaduck Sunshine Coast and thank you Cérge.
I hope you know the incredible impact you make to people like me.
I’m so happy
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This Story of Inclusion made possible by the Queensland Government's Accessible Tourism Enablers Grant and the Access Accelerator Program, a partnership between Spinal Life Australia & Cérge.
<<Read the original Story of Inclusion from a few months earlier here>>