White's IGA Mt Coolum

I visited IGA yesterday at Mt Coolum and got to see Cerge in action at a supermarket for the first time.

I'd just had an upsetting specialist appointment and so wasn't really in the mood to push my comfort levels and shop but I shouldn't have worried. I notified them 10 minutes before I arrived on the app and by the time I'd walked in the door, a lovely person (Candace) called me by name to greet me and introduce me to the shop. I was so touched that she'd read my bio and brought a chair with to sit near the exit in case I needed it, that I nearly started crying.

She offered to assist me in any way that I needed but as I had a support worker, I was happy to shop with her for the most part. Vanessa came later and checked in on me to see if I had any questions or if they could help in any way. They turned the volume down and the lights down for me as well which was such a welcome relief from how it usually feels to shop!

I was surprised at how compact the shop was with carparks right outside on the curb making it a more comfortable commute. Their deli, pantry, fridge, special goods and fruit and vege section was well stocked, meaning that I could go there for a one stop shop (hallelujah!) There selection of foods that cater to different health needs (gluten free, vegan, dairy free etc) also made me give it a big tick of approval.

Vanessa helped me put my groceries through the register and then Bronwyn (I believe this was her name) came over and made me nearly cry again with her beautiful warmth and kindness! It was honestly one of the best shops that I've ever had, even if I needed to sit down half way through it didn't matter... I felt safer shopping there knowing that the regulars would see the Cerge sign at the entry and so would be more understanding this IGA supports people who need a little more help and attention.

I came home and told my husband all about it, who said he'd be happy to drive me to any of the 5 that are linked any time that I want! I am so, so grateful for this amazing service. We need to continue making areas more accessible, friendly and inclusive so that we don't marginalise people and restrict access.

Thank you Mt Coolum IGA, thank you Roz White, thank you Cerge and Chris !! You are all superheroes in my eyes for making a positive and welcome change.

I haven’t known life without pain. I was run over by a car when I was 3 years old and spent the next 18 months in a coma.

I had a lot of injuries from that accident including losing a side of my face and my scalp ripped off. It was a miracle I survived. Add to that I have liver cancer and have already outlived the months they gave me to live.

I take every day as a bonus.

My mobility is a scooter, my Assistance Dog is named Ozzy and my life is what I make it as best I can.

I’m a happy and positive person but I have to admit going grocery shopping really gives me the sh!ts sometimes.

If I don’t have a Support Worker it’s almost impossible for me to even grab the basic bread and milk.

My scooter can’t get around boxes left out. I don’t have the capacity to stand for long or walk around big shops. It’s much too hard for me and yet what can I do?

Starve?

When I heard about Cérge I wanted to give it a go at my local IGA. I recently used it and explained I need to be able to get around the store on my scooter.

The staff made sure there were no boxes and that I was able to manoeuvre about. Staff member Bec walked with me with a basket and grabbed items which helped tremendously.

Have you ever thought about how hard it is to carry a basket and grab items on and off shelves from a scooter?

It’s the pits.

I have trouble remembering things, but can use Cérge to put my list of items and the staff then also know what I need before I arrive and can grab the items for me with ease.

Cérge is excellent and so are the White's IGA Mt Coolum staff for caring.

Finally! I actually got help in a way that truly helped!

Life changing!

It’s hard enough surviving cancer and dealing with PTSD without then having to deal with people discriminating me and my support animal. Like, I have enough going on and I’m a positive guy!

Coco is my assistance cat and helps me stay grounded, calm and in the present. To many this may seem foreign or weird and what a place of privilege to feel that to be honest. Because without Coco there would be days I wouldn’t go outside, days that can be very dark.

The world is changing and it’s great to see and so when I kept seeing Cérge’s cute face pop up everywhere and all these people having inclusive experiences I was a little interested in what all the fuss was all about.

I decided to venture to White’s IGA Mt Coolum which kinda took a bit of a pep talk to myself and Coco as we have previously had plenty of discrimination and have been asked to leave. We have had some great experiences but one supermarket told me I had to tie Coco up outside if I wanted to shop there. It was devastating and made me not want to shop anymore. I would not even contemplate a bigger store. I was pretty triggered and scared.

So deciding on White’s IGA Mt Coolum I used the Cérge app to let them know I had a Coco, that I have all documents and we would be there in an hour to do some shopping.

What an experience!

It couldn’t have been more opposite of what I have dealt with in the past. We were greeted and welcomed with big smiles. Bronwyn, Bec and Lani made me feel so welcome and like we weren’t strange or a bother at all. Having PTSD I can be triggered at times and so this welcome made a fantastic first impression. I felt so relaxed.

The staff did kinda get a kick out of Coco I think as they wanted photos and talked about how beautiful she is! Which she is!

Today, not only did I make a new friend in a Cérge, I got to experience an everyday task in a positive way. Something I’ve avoided for so long! But also, Coco and I got to breakdown some stigma for disability today and we got to help people know how they can assist in an inclusive and meaningful way.

Today was actually life changing! I can’t wait to go shopping again and that’s something I’ve never said!