The Patients Speak:

My name is Lorraine Koukides;
This is my Story:
This is the fourth pool I will be thrown out of now and I am really stressed, upset & angry.
My story is this: At 2 I was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. At 11 my orthopaedic specialist attempted to correct my scolios with 3 major spinal operations. I was flat on my back for 2 years in the RBH. After many complications (including my patient record file going missing at the RBH-never to be found) I was thrown into rehabilitation at the MS Centre (Dutton Park). After many years using their hydrotherapy pool I was told not to return because I didn't have Multiple Sclerosis. I then started using the Holy Spirit Hospital Hydro pool only to be kicked out of there as well. Then I went to the St Andrews Hydrotherapy Pool and once again kicked out of there. So I went to the Wesley Hydro pool and low and behold its happening again. Where do they expect us to go next....the Brisbane River!!!
They have no idea what it is like to be in a wheelchair.......my only freedom is in the hydro pool.....I exercise, I stretch my muscles and every fibre in my body......my pain eases for a while when I am in the hydro pool. We do not use the pool for recreation or fun but we use it to maintain our quality of life and well-being. We use it out of necessity & a willingness to live.
Well that's my story-the short version that is.
Shouldn't we be putting up banners around the outside of the hydro pool......."SAVE OUR HYDRO POOL"......I am sure the Wesley hospital employees & visitors don't know what Wyvill & the Uniting Church has done.
What about flyers?
Have new teams/reporters been notified to come to the 17/4 meeting-the Courier-Mail, Quest Newspapers, Channel 7, 9 10, ABC, Brisbane Extra-Channel 9, Today-Tonight-Channel 7, A Current Affair-Channel 9, Today Show-9, Sunrise-7, Four Corners-ABC.........etc,etc.
I have written to Wyvill & his cronies but no response.
Have written to Judy Magub-she responded with a "I will let you know when the next meeting date for the Hydro Pool is"?
I have written to the Lord Mayor Campbell Neuwman.......a standard postcard response with a "will look into it for you."
I have written to the Lord Mayoress Lisa Neuwman.........no response.
I have written to Board members of the WRI and the only one that has bothered to respond was Dr David Alcorn..........refer copy of attached letter.
I am still writng letters.
What else can we do besides chaining ourselves to the pool!!!!
Regards,
Lorraine Koukides