Independence the goal for Toowoomba’s Flyan-Bryan

Published On: 16 February 2020Categories: NDIS, News

Bryan Flemming was a competitive motocross racer and coach before an accident left him with quadriplegia in 2009.

“I was out coaching a young rider in motocross on his property and I made a rookie error by clicking a neutral gear over a jump and landed on my head.

“Lying there, I didn’t know what I had done as I could not get up. In no time at all I was getting picked up by a helicopter; lucky for me they were in the air already and reached my location much quicker.

“Next minute I was in ICU at the PA getting an operation to fix my broken neck, then on a breathing machine which was keeping me alive,” he said.

“You just think ‘What have I done?’ and the shock I placed on my family and friends.”

Toowoomba local Bryan registered with and has been supported by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) since 2017. The funding continues to help him regain his independence and access his community.

“I wanted to be active with my daughters again, and I wanted to regain as much as I could of the life I had before my accident.

“I was an adventurous person. I always liked to keep fit running every morning and doing my gym workouts, riding mountain bikes with my daughters and racing motocross.”

Funding for vital pieces of assistive technology and personal care support has allowed Bryan to live much more independently, minimising the reliance on family and carers.

“The Batec power wheel that was funded through the NDIS has essentially removed the need for a person to accompany me wherever I go.

“The Batec turns my manual wheelchair into a power chair and, with a lift mounted in the back of my van, it has made me almost fully independent with my mobility.

“My wife works full time because she doesn’t need to be my constant carer. She is firstly my wife, not my carer. With NDIS funds my personal care in the mornings and nights is taken care of and this helps us stay as a loving couple and family with our two daughters, parents and siblings.”

Bryan also receives funding for physiotherapy and for equipment to work on his fitness.

“Before, to wheel myself around in the community was always something I needed help with. I couldn’t wheel myself on the grass at all, and if there was a slight rise, I needed someone to push me.

“With funding from the NDIS, I have greatly reduced the need for carers. My increased mobility due to working on strength and muscular health has improved my mobility to a point where I was able to complete the half marathon at the Gold Coast in my manual wheelchair.

“My mobility within our community makes me feel normal and this saves a lot of mental stress. I was also funded for a wall-mounted exercise hand bike which I can use on my own, keeping me strong and fit.”

The increased mobility has allowed Bryan to spend more quality time with family and friends.

“Recently I went with my two daughters, my brother and two friends and did the 160 km Brisbane Valley Rail Trail; it’s an all off-road horse and mountain bike trail. We treated it as an adventure and a challenge just like the old days. Assistive technology is allowing me to go and do these things making me feel a real part of the community. I’m now asked what’s the next adventure and when are we going.”

Funding was also provided for some of the vehicle modifications which allowed Bryan to operate his van without assistance.

“With the funding, I was able to get driving controls fitted to my van. Floor modifications, a hand control and associated alterations are enabling me to drive.

“After four and a half years, I became my own person again, not relying on taxis or someone to drive me everywhere.”

Bryan and his brothers are passionate about technology and have designed several items which have applications for people with a disability.

“I have worked with my retired brother on a computer program to develop some new ideas. We have 3D printed a few things which have helped me and have the potential to help others. Getting them out there to people that need them being the next financial challenge.

“Years ago, I built my own lightweight power chair. My brother and I were actually featured on the New Inventors TV show running on the ABC at the time. Prototype 2 is still under development and I hope to make it an available product for the disability market.”

Bryan is supported on his NDIS journey and can call on Carers Queensland’s Toowoomba NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community office where his Local Area Coordinator, Mark, is there when he needs assistance.

For more information about the NDIS or how to access it, please contact Carers Queensland’s Toowoomba office on 07 4646 2800 or via email at toowoombaLAC@carersqld.com.au

You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636 or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au