FROM FEAR TO FREEDOM

Cérge App Empowers Amputee To Dive Into Swimming

By Amanda Wright

Stephen Barbe, a single leg amputee, has found a new lease on life in swimming, thanks to the Cérge app and the welcoming environment at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex. Belgravia Leisure, in partnership with app developer Cérge, aims to alleviate fears, anxieties, and discrimination faced by people with disabilities by providing personalised services and enhancing accessibility.

Stephen's initial concerns about swimming as an amputee were addressed after his visit to the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex, where he utilized the Cérge app. He shared his experience, stating, "Using Cérge to let staff know I was on my way and would like a tour of the facilities was helpful. I was able to explain my disability through the app which also meant I didn't have to do the weird small talk about the elephant in the room."

The app, developed by Cérge, acts as a communication platform, offering tailored services for guests with disabilities. Personalised greetings, guided tours, express check-ins, and queue skipping are some of the features aimed at enhancing the experiences of individuals with disabilities. Stephen's positive encounter with the app at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex highlights its effectiveness in addressing the unique needs of visitors.

Stephen had concerns beyond the physical logistics of swimming. He also worried about the cleanliness of the complex and exposing his leg to water. However, his apprehensions were put to rest at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex, which boasts state-of-the-art facilities designed to accommodate mobility disabilities.

Stephen expressed his appreciation, stating, "The facilities at the ARC are among the best I've ever seen which is positive for a regional town. They have good disability showers and a lifter. Good waterproof chairs, good ramps, everything."

The dedication of the staff at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex played a significant role in Stephen's positive experience. He emphasised their exceptional service, saying, "The staff were excellent and made me feel welcome. They genuinely wanted to help and knew what I wanted. A game changer."

Currently, the ARC is the only place in Mackay utilising Cérge, but plans are underway to roll out the app at more venues, allowing more individuals with disabilities to benefit from its features. The app not only informs team members about a guest's arrival but also enables visitors to specify their needs, enhancing their experience further.

Stephen's daughter, Shelby, highlighted the importance of the Cérge app in empowering individuals with disabilities. She remarked, "Cerge is a great idea to help those with disability. It gives people a heads-up before they get somewhere on what to expect, as an example they can look at where the car parking is located adjacent to where they need to go and ensure a place is accessible before making the trip there."

Stephen's personal journey as an amputee stems from an alleged medical misdiagnosis. Initially treated for a diabetic condition, he later discovered that he had necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh-eating virus thought to have eventuated from an infected corn. Stephen shared his dismay at the misdiagnosis saying more than anything he was disappointed in the attitude of those who had treated him.

“The doctor was treating me for a diabetic thing, pumping me full of antibiotics that wouldn't work.

“I know of people who have had to have a toe or two removed to treat necrotizing fasciitis, and that will work for 8-10 years before another toe might need to be removed, but the doctor was convinced it was a diabetic ulcer,” Stephen said.

Shelby said her father’s foot had gone black before they finally got him into surgery.

“When he went under, he had no idea how much they would have to remove, and he woke up without his leg,” she said.

“How do you deal with that?”

Despite the challenges he faced, Stephen remains optimistic and determined to advocate for better accessibility. As the former president of the Amputee Support Association of the Sunshine Coast, he understands the importance of inclusive facilities. "It's not that difficult to cater to people with disability to make places more accessible," he remarked.

In terms of further improvements, Stephen noted the need for more accessible parking spaces at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex. "The disability parks are right down the other end of the complex, away from the main entrance," he said.

"They need to be right next to the entrance.

“They have a heap of room at the front near the entrance, they could put three or four there on an angle.”

Stephen encourages others to be considerate and respect designated parking spaces and not park too close to disabled spaces.

"If you are an able-bodied person, please don't park in disability spaces, even if it's only to 'duck into the shop for a few minutes'," he urged.

“I need to be able to open my door fully to get in and out, I need to take my leg on and off all the time, people don’t realise, and they park close,” he said.

The partnership between Belgravia Leisure and Cérge marks a significant step forward in promoting inclusivity and accessibility in recreational facilities. With their ongoing commitment to expanding the app's presence, more individuals with disabilities can look forward to enjoying enhanced experiences.

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Stephen Barbe (right) has trialled the Cérge app at the Mackay Aquatic Recreation Complex and says it is a game-changer in helping those with disability navigate new surroundings. Photo credit: Amanda Wright