Nedlands Independent Living Centre receives $2.6m funding for disability equipment grants

NEDLANDS’ Independent Living Centre (ILC) has received $2.6 million in funding from Lotterywest to go towards a disability equipment grants program.

One of the Disability Equipment Grant recipients, Adam White, shared his experiences with Baldivis MLA Reece Whitby today when he visited the centre.

Mr White has Hereditary Spastic Paralysis, an inherited disorder where he suffers from progressive weakness and stiffness of the legs.

The 48-year-old is a stay-at-home dad to 16-year-old daughter Jasmine but he’s unable to use his legs to drive his car, essential in enabling him to take his daughter to school, sport and other activities.

The Victoria Park resident said funding from ILC’s disability grants program has enabled him to purchase modified driving controls, including a push-pull hand control and spinner knob with switches, to steer and control functions such as indicators, windscreen wipers and headlights.

“The total cost was $4900 and the grants program contributed 90 per cent of that cost,” he said.

“The car modifications have given me back the relationship with my daughter.

“Most of my driving is to take my daughter around to all these events she’s involved in, so as far as my wife, she’s got her life back.”

ILC chief executive Steve Glew said assistive equipment and technology can help a person to maintain their independence.

“This grant has helped towards enabling Adam to drive his car and importantly to continue to do the things in life that he enjoys,” he said.