Getting Strong Again

Getting Strong Again is a culturally safe resource developed for First Nations participants. The resource was developed in partnership between NIISQ and the First Peoples Disability Network (Australia) (FPDN).

First Nations peoples living with disability, Elders and community members across Queensland and the Torres Strait Islands were consulted with during the development of this resource.

Getting Strong Again is intended to help a participant to talk with NIISQ Support Planners about their goals and identify their support needs. 

The Getting Strong Again initiative includes a planning booklet which adopts the traditional method of story-telling, cultural symbols and artwork to assist First Nations peoples living with serious personal injury to identify the support they may need help with to get strong again in their culture, family, community and relationships. 

Inclusion of the sea turtle represents people connected to salt water and that no matter how far someone travels they always have a connection to their home and can find their way back. The tracks throughout are of the emu and kangaroo and represent a connection to land. These native animals are unable to walk backwards and talk to a participant about always moving forward in getting strong again. Finally, footsteps lead to the various areas of the participant’s life with NIISQ walking alongside the participant in their journey. 

While the resource was designed with our First Nations participants in mind, all participants are welcome to access the resource if they will find it helpful with identifying their support needs and having planning conversations. You are invited to have a yarn with your Support Planner if you are interested in accessing this resource. 

Supporting animations have been developed to explain the cultural symbolism in the booklet and provide guidance on how to use the booklet. Please view below.