Following surgery, you will need time to recover. It is also a time to set goals about your journey ahead. Here, we help to guide you through the process to navigate your pathways forward.
People are often concerned about the costs involved in getting a prosthesis. In Australia, there are a number of different funding schemes and it can be easy to get confused and to know what you are eligible for.
For the first time in the history of this organisation, we are proud to announce that Limbs 4 Life has received funding to deliver and expand its flagship Peer Support Program nationally. At Limbs 4 Life we know the benefits that peer support can provide to people facing amputation and those who have recently undergone amputation.
Peer support provides people (and their families):
With the opportunity to speak to someone who has lived experience of limb loss;
Helps to navigate the pathways forward in relation to healthcare systems and funding support;
With direction and knowing what to expect; and
To reduce fears and concerns relating to living with amputation.
The Peer Support Capacity Building (PSCB) grant will provide two years of financial support. That support will give Limbs 4 Life the ability to:
Deliver peer support training nationally, in all states and territories.
Increase the number of peer support volunteers, meaning that Limbs 4 Life can be more responsive to the needs of our ever-growing community. (It is conservatively estimated that amputation rates increase by 2.7% per year).
Establish more local area support groups which serve as wonderful pathways for community engagement and peer support, especially for those who missed the opportunity in hospital or rehabilitation, or were not ready to receive support at the time
Create new resources in response to information gaps
Deliver national empowerment workshops with a focus on self-advocacy, understanding human rights and enacting on those rights, along with the provision of insights into consumer law. It’s important that every one of us feels equipped to confidently voice concerns if they arise.
Finally, like always the outcomes of the program will be evaluated to ensure that community needs are being met.
The PSCB project has also enabled Limbs 4 Life to employ more people to assist us with the program roll-out. Andrew Fairbairn has rejoined us following a short break to continue his role as Peer Coordinator for WA, Kylie Franson has taken on the role of Peer Coordinator for SA/NT, Kath Tanner has come on board as Peer Coordinator for Tasmania and Jacquetta Rogers has been promoted to National Peer Coordinator | Partners and Carers.
