mobility feature
a fresh start
Disability support provider
Northcott is helping refugees with
disability to source much-needed
mobility equipment.
Basima Alzuhairi and her four
children arrived in Australia as
refugees from Iraq a few months
ago. Basima says that so far her
impressions of the country are that
it is “very nice” although it is hard
being here on her own without the
support of her husband and sister
who have been unable to leave Iraq.
the Alzuhairis with equipment to
Basima’s church collected enough
support their needs.
money for the family to buy
passports which allowed them to Senior client services manager
cross the border to neighbouring at Northcott Tony Warner says
Jordan where they stayed for eight that many refugees are arriving in
months before applying to come to Australia with disabilities as a result
Australia as refugees. of war and poor access to medical
services, and many arrive with
Three of Basima’s children have either no or insufficient equipment.
disabilities – 14-year-old Bassam Tony is aware of cases where
and 10-year-old Joman have authorities have confiscated vital
cerebral palsy, which means they use equipment and medical supplies
wheelchairs for mobility, and 3-year- from refugees as they are leaving
old Maram has Down syndrome. their home country which has left
them in perilous and sometimes
Basima’s 13-year-old daughter,
life-threatening situations.
Rowan, helps her mother with her
siblings and is now attending a local Northcott has recently been able Northcott is now at a point where
school where she is learning English. to donate an electric wheelchair to existing supplies of equipment are
14-year-old Bassam, however due being exhausted.
The family recently spent an to a lack of funding for equipment afternoon at the Fairfield City 10-year-old Joman is still having to If you would like to find out
Farm in Sydney, a visit that was use an ill-fitting manual wheelchair more about Northcott’s Refugee
sponsored by the NSW Refugee for mobility. Equipment Project or make a
Health Service who have recently
36
donation please contact anthony.
been working in partnership with The demand for such equipment [email protected] or phone
Northcott to assist families such as is huge and Tony Warner says that Northcott on 1800 818 286.
mobility feature
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