With an infectious smile, gentle manner, and a determination to help others, Aaron Payne is an integral part of the Warwick Indoor Recreation and Aquatic Centre (WIRAC).
Every Tuesday the 25-year-old, who lives with a physical disability and an acquired brain injury, rocks up for his shift at the YMCA-run WIRAC.
Considered the hub of the Warwick community, WIRAC is arguably one of the most naturally inclusive recreational centres in Queensland.
In addition to actively seeking to employ people with disability, the centre hosts two Sports Ability programs for people with disability and encourages integrated classes and lessons across the board.
During his shift, Aaron warmly greets some of the 1200 gym-goers, swimmers and other athletes who regularly use the centre.
He then gets stuck into work, which includes a variety of jobs such as lifesaving, polishing the double courts, helping out in the hydrotherapy pool and assisting Ellie to run Sports Ability activities and games.
Ellie Kelso, a world-renowned Jazzercise instructor, has worked at WIRAC for 16 years and run the Sports Ability program for the past 10 years.
With a smile and plenty of energy, the 73-year-old puts people with intellectual, physical and other disabilities through their paces in the pool and on the court.
“We get between 20-40 people in each class and it’s a fun environment with music and lots of laughs,” Ellie said. “It’s about encouraging everyone to get involved and active in whatever way they can.
“Aaron’s a big help and helps me run the sessions, as well as setting up and packing down the activities, I couldn’t do it without him.”
For many attendees, taking part in the Sports Ability program is the only opportunity to get involved in team sports.
“I really enjoy my job and being able to help people to have fun and a laugh,” said Aaron, who lived a typical life in country Queensland until the age of 8, when he fell to the ground shaking during a game of tag.
Aaron’s mother Kathy said her son suddenly and without explanation developed the rare and chronic inflammatory neurological disease Rasmussens Encephalitis.
The debilitating disease is characterised by frequent and severe seizures, loss of motor skills and speech, paralysis on one side of the body, inflammation of the brain and mental deterioration.
With no options left, Aaron had to make a life-changing decision.
Aaron suffered frequent and severe drop seizures, and for the last four years of Rasmussens he wore a helmet to protect him from further nasty head injuries.
The right of his body was getting weaker, his speech slowed and he was becoming more isolated and dependent on his family. Aaron, 14 at the time, disliked having to have a parent supervise his every move.
“With few options left, we were told a hemispherectomy, the surgical removal or disconnection of one hemisphere of the brain, was the only way to stop the seizures, physical and cognitive decline,“ Kathy said.
Aaron was left with right side hemiplegia (paralysis), homogenous hemianopia (half sight) and aphasia (expressive communication difficulties).
His recovery was tough, and because of complications, he spent 12 days in ICU after his operation.
Aaron then spent 4 weeks in Westmead Private Hospital in Sydney followed by a further 4 weeks as an inpatient at Brisbane Children’s Hospital. After this, Aaron had a further 6 months as an outpatient and frequent flyer at Ronald McDonald House.
But in true Aaron style, once he was finally out of hospital, he worked diligently through intensive therapies and rehabilitation to carve out a new life for himself.
In addition to being a Rural Fire Brigade volunteer, Aaron is the groundsman at Freestone Primary School and has a keen interest in horticulture, landscaping and planting.
Sports such as lawn bowls, badminton, pickleball and table tennis are favourites and when he’s not working at WIRAC or toiling in the garden, he’s a fun and kind-hearted uncle and a much-loved community member.
Aaron, who was supported by Carers Queensland to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme in 2016, uses some of his NDIS funding for assistive technologies, including a WalkAide.
The device, which sends electrical impulses to nerves in the leg that tell the muscles to lift the toes, has greatly improved Aaron’s quality of life and he feels more confident with his mobility.
Karen ensures WIRAC is the epitome of inclusion.
WIRAC manager Karen Peters speaks highly of Aaron and his can-do attitude, saying his incredible work ethic makes him an asset to the centre.
“He’s always on time, an absolute gentlemen to everyone and helps out during hydrotherapy classes. Aaron is also Ellie’s right-hand man during the sport ability sessions she runs,” Karen said.
“Aaron brings a lot of value to our centre because he’s also good at table tennis and sport and young people are learning from that. He’s just such a lovely young fellow.”
Karen has been a guiding light at WIRAC for years. She was assistant manager for 10 years before taking over the top job 3 years ago. She’s actively sought to hire a broad range of staff, each with their unique qualities and personality.
But it’s not only the staff that make WIRAC a truly inclusive place to be, it’s the attitude of everyone who steps inside the centre. It’s the hub of the community for so many locals.
During times of disaster it is shelter for those who need it, and when people living rough can’t find a home, they are offered dignity by way of a shower at the centre. Blankets for those in need are also collected by WIRAC.
“I think there are a lot of people with disability or different needs who live in our community. There are also a lot of people who have a family member or friend with some sort of disability,” Karen said.
“I think we’re all passionate about inclusion because of this. There’s no better feeling than seeing people enjoy themselves here, connect with others and leave happy.”
Accessibility and inclusion are integrated into every facet of the business and that’s exactly the way Karen likes it.
“We have a lot of outside groups come in and provide activities that are naturally inclusive and suitable for those with and without disability,” Karen said.
“A lot of different people join our regular group fitness classes. We’ve got one member who has Down syndrome and she comes knowing that she is accepted here.
“It’s a matter of working around the needs of the community and being able to be flexible in what we offer and how we offer it.”
The model of inclusion demonstrated at WIRAC is of such a high standard, it’s set to be replicated when the YMCA takes over the management of the Stanthorpe Fitness, Recreation and Aquatic Centre.
As part of its Inclusive Sport and Recreation Communities project, Carers Queensland is working to identify organisations such as WIRAC, where inclusion is seamlessly included into everyday work practices.
One of the key objectives of the project is to increase the representation and participation of people with disability in sport and recreation, both on and off the playing field.
To do this, Carers Queensland is starting conversations around inclusion using centres such as WIRAC as models of how people with disability can be easily included with minimal cost and effort.
“WIRAC is leading the way in terms of true inclusion at the grassroots level,” said David Bartholomaeus, team leader of the Inclusive Sport and Recreation Project.
“This is a fitting example of inclusion to showcase to others, because one of the hardest things when you’re starting the inclusion journey is the uncertainty of knowing what it may look like.
“But the WIRAC model is working well and producing great outcomes for people with disability with real potential for them to exercise choice and control in their lives.
“This includes opportunities to participate in activities such as swimming, gym, sports programs and employment.”
Karen said it was important to her that WIRAC was not a scary place and more like a second home where people with disability can feel accepted and embraced.
“We just don’t look at anyone differently here. It’s as simple as that,” she said.
To encourage more people with disability, particularly children, to get involved, inclusive participation days are held annually at WIRAC, with Ellie and Aaron running court and pool activities.
“I know there are still so many people, mainly kids and teenagers, who are yet to take advantage of the activities we offer. We’re hoping that word spreads and more families realise what we can offer their loved ones,” Karen said.
Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS.
If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can help you identify and link to options for support in your community.
You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636 or email at cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au
