Access all areas: Noel Southern visits Geelong’s wool museum ahead of next week’s activities.
By John Van Klaveren
NOEL Southern likes to get out when he can – but for him and wife Janet it’s a major logistical exercise.
The Clifton Springs retired teacher has been wheelchair bound since a freak accident while returning from a caravanning holiday in Queensland.
His story featured as part of the Independent’s Shattered Lives road safety series.
But nothing could stop Mr Southern getting out to help promote Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week from Sunday to November 13. The week aims to raising awareness about spinal cord injuries and encouraging prevention.
National Wool Museum with free access for wheelchair users and their carers as part of the week’s activities, which have TAC backing.
The TAC’s Emily Bogue said the week’s Accessibility Weekend would raise awareness of access issues facing spinal injury victims and their carers, such as the Southerns.
“Because it takes such an effort for the couple to get out, even if it’s only to the local golf club for a meal, they appreciate accessibility,” Ms Bogue said.
Mr Southern said he still enjoyed getting out to support Drysdale Hawks during Bellarine Football League games.
“We’ve got a corner in the social club that they call Noel’s Corner and they reserve a car park for us.
“And thank God for the TAC – I don’t know where we’d be without them.”
Ms Bogue said road crashes were the leading traumatic cause of spinal cord injuries, accounting for 45.6 per cent.
Males were over represented among victims at 84 per cent of all spinal cord injuries.
