By BRIDGET SCOTT
A HEALTH worker from Lyndhurst is excited to begin a new chapter in her career with the opening of a rehabilitation centre for people with a disability.
Robyn Papworth’s passion to help others in need began from a young age when she befriended a boy in primary school who had Muscular Dystrophy.
“I used to help this young boy with his class work and she used to enjoy playing with him at lunch time,” she said.
“But I became frustrated as my friend’s condition slowly declined from being able to slowly walk at lunch time, to being in a motorised wheelchair by Grade 6.”
From this point, it became her dream to use her education to help others.
Now a qualified Exercise Physiologist, Ms Papworth specialises in rehabilitation for people with neuromuscular disorders such as Muscular Dystrophy, cerebral palsy, MS, Parkinson’s, and MND.
Ms Papworth started her business Move 4 Health in 2005 when she realised that funding was limited for people with a disability, and her role in the community health sector was often restricted by political agenda and health priority areas.
“I have done home visits for the past five years and work with people aged three to 83,” she said.
Through these visits, Ms Papworth became aware of the dire need for centres which met the needs of those with a disability, and their families.
“People were screaming out for somewhere to take their child,” she said.
With this knowledge, Ms Papworth will open a sensory therapy and rehabilitation room in Hallam for all of her clients.
The centre will address problems such as co-ordination, walking, behaviour and much more.
The centre will officially open this Saturday 4 October with a massive fund-raiser for much-needed funds for a ceiling hoist.
“These help us sling someone out of a wheel chair and into bean bags or hammocks,” Ms Papworth said.
“We need $3000 and we are halfway there.”
Ms Papworth hoped to welcome a hug crowd to the event and enable guests to experience what it feels like to use a multi-sensory room.
Move 4 Health will provide fun to visitors this weekend for only $20, with all proceeds to go towards the purchase of disability equipment. Book your tickets at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/disability-rehabilitationtherapy-centre-open-day-tickets-12885128767.
