“Our man Terry” is how Amicus support workers describe participant, Terrance and his positive approach to getting back into the community.
Terry, aged in his 50s, lives with cerebral palsy and has mobility and communication challenges but this has not stopped him striving to live the best life possible.
Terry has been with Amicus Community Services for almost two years and lives, with almost full-time support, in his own flat in Flora Hill, Bendigo.
He has a team of caring support workers providing care and support.
Terry used to work at social enterprise, PepperGreen Farm in Bendigo, and he has said often how he missed the work and the social contact. Since joining Amicus, one of his personal goals has been to get back into the world and develop a social network.
So when his physiotherapist suggested the All Abilities cricket program, Terry was keen to see what it was all about.
The all abilities cricket program is held at the Golden Square Indoor Sports Centre on Thursday nights from 5.30pm.
All Abilities coordinator Rob Fisher, who runs the program, described the many social benefits as well as the team atmosphere it provides for participants.
When Terry was reluctant to pick up the bat on the first week, Rob said other participants had played on chairs without a problem and offered to wheel him out to face the balls and then, after each hit, wheel him off to the side instead of running.
Support worker Heath said on the first night there were about 20 other participants, and while Terry did not want to play, it looked like he loved just being there with them.
“I asked Terry a few times if he wanted to get out into the nets and join in the actual cricket game, but Terry said he just wanted to watch.”
However, by Thursday 25 August – his fourth week attending the program, Terry was participating and saying that the cricket night was “right up his alley.”
Terry has long been connected to the Newbridge football and cricket club.
“Newbridge is his hometown, where he grew up and he feels very connected to the community there,” Team leader Hannah Jakab said.
He has dinner at the National Hotel on Saturday night, where he often sees some of the Newbridge footballers, and while that is a great social outing, the all abilities cricket night is Terry’s first community activity, Hannah said.
In winter the cricket program is held at the indoor stadium but in summer, coordinator Rob said they will look for an outdoor location.
Terry is also an avid Bulldogs (AFL) fan and, with support, recently attended a game at Marvel Stadium.
His support workers took lots of photos and each one tells its own story about how happy and excited Terry was to be there.
Terry is very appreciative of his caring team and knows that, due to his mobility and other challenges, he would not be able to attend either the Thursday cricket program or watch the Bulldogs play without their support.
Popular Amicus participant Terry was tentative when he first started the All Abilities Cricket program, but by the third week he had bat in hand and was thoroughly enjoying himself, saying “this is right up my alley.”
Amicus participant Terry had a wonderful time watching his beloved Bulldogs play. He had a prime spot and was all smiles.
