The Aussie Hands Foundation Inc

Hi Karina 🏊‍♂️
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Karina, whose 6-year old son Thomas has a hand difference.
The encouraging stories Karina and her family stumbled across in the Aussie Hands community gave them hope when they were dealing with those initial fears. They help Thomas build confidence and overcome his limb difference with activities such as swimming, gymnastics, playgroups and arts and crafts.
Connect with Karina or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

Hello Kacey! 👏
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Kacey, who has a child and an uncle with a hand difference.
Kacey has worked with children of all ages in childcare, nannying, summer camps and swimming lessons. She understands the roller coaster of emotions and wants others to know they are not alone on this new, at times uncertain, but also incredible journey.
Connect with Kacey or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

Karen 🧚
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Karen, who has a hand difference and served on the Board of Aussie Hands.
Karen has successfully navigated through social situations, school, university and work so has a lot of positive experiences and stories to share with young children and their parents. She can also relate to her children’s experience with peers asking about her hand.
Connect with Karen or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

Hello Fiona 🎉
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Fiona, whose son Ben was born in 2002 with no left hand and a shorter forearm.
They have gone through school, sports, driving, prosthetics, NDIS and job applications. Fiona is happy to listen and learn about your experiences, be supportive and offer any handy hints that might help.
Connect with Fiona or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

Jenny & Peter 👏
Here are two of our Mentors, Jenny and Peter, whose son Harry was born in 2013 with a limb difference.
If you are just finding out about your baby's limb difference or want to discuss sporting or schooling environments, please feel to reach out to Jenny or Peter. They are keen to give back to this community through offering support to other parents.
Connect with Jenny, Peter or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

THANK YOU for supporting our end of Financial Year Appeal: Support The Aussie Hands Foundation.
As we wrap up the financial year, we need your support more than ever! The Aussie Hands Foundation is dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by hand differences. Here's how you can help:

What we do:

- Events & Workshops: Bringing our community together to learn and connect.
- Connecting Families: Building a strong support network and having peer mentor support.
- Resource Toolkit: Providing valuable resources for everyday challenges.
- Research Funding: Advancing knowledge, information and support for hand differences.

Why your support matters:

- Empowerment: Helping individuals reach their full potential.
- Community: Creating a supportive and understanding network.
- Awareness: Promoting inclusivity and understanding.

How to support us:
Make a tax-deductible donation today through our website. Every contribution counts! https://aussiehands.org/donate/

Thank you for supporting The Aussie Hands Foundation. Together, we can make a real difference!

Hi Fazra ✨
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Fazra, whose son Rafael was born in 2020 with complete syndactyly and a missing digit.
Fazra has a lot of experience around neuroscience, psychology, and learning and development. She is happy to have a chat about how to process emotions, acceptance, and other things learnt through her lived experience.
Connect with Fazra or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website.
https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

Hi Elizabeth 🌸
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Elizabeth, who founded Aussie Hands back in the year 2000.
Elizabeth’s second son Dave was born with symbrachydactyly and underwent hand surgery when he was 10 months old. She is very passionate about being a Mentor to Aussie Hands members and has a wealth of experience and knowledge to share with you.
Connect with Elizabeth or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

🌟 We're looking for passionate individuals to join us as Ambassadors! 🌟

Does this label belong to you? Are you ready to make a difference? Check out the Ambassador Position Description to see how you can get involved and help us spread the word about Aussie Hands.

📄 View the Position Description https://aussiehands.org/wp-content/uploads/Ambassador-Position-Description-2023.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3H8nKklg-EyXpj2URsA4mXwZpe4l2e0dFIO5NOrkpyGV-lyxmWVLtujHo_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

🎉 Join us as an Ambassador and Make a Difference!
Expressions of Interest close Thursday 20 June 2024.

If you have a hand difference and love seeing how Aussie Hands supports this community, why not consider becoming one of our Ambassadors?
You will play an important part in promoting our organisation, enhancing our profile, and engaging with our members on a regular basis. Your influence and dedication will help us raise awareness, increase understanding, acceptance and inclusion.

In return, the benefits you will see include:
· Making a lasting impact on the lives of those in the hand difference community.
· Having the chance to connect and network with like-minded individuals who share your passion for making a difference.
· Being invited to take part in events, campaigns and initiatives.
· Personal growth as you develop new skills, build confidence and expand your horizons.
· Recognition and appreciation of your contribution by many communities.

If you believe your personal and professional experience, expertise and community spirit make you a good candidate for this role, we would be delighted to hear from you at [email protected].
Expressions of Interest close Thursday 20 June 2024.

Hi Craig 🥁
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Craig, who has limb differences across both his hands and feet.
He plays drums, has enjoyed many sports, is an active traveller and served on the Aussie Hands Board. Craig can offer insights into life experience, overcoming challenges, adapting and building confidence as a person with hand differences.
Connect with Craig or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

❄️ Brrr, Winter is here! ❄️

🌨️ Hi Aussie Hands family, it's Teddy! I'm all bundled up in my red and white scarf and beanie, enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate. Just wanted to say hello and welcome to winter!

👏 Don't forget to check out our resource toolkit on the website and our Peer Mentor Group. We've been introducing our amazing mentors lately—make sure to connect with them!

☃️ Stay cosy, warm and connected,
Teddy and The Aussie Hands Foundation.

Hi Brooke 🌸
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Brooke, who was a volunteer with Aussie Hands for over 10 years and a past President.
Having met many people with hand differences and their families, and working in higher education, Brooke can chat about study opportunities, careers and life skills.
Connect with Brooke or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

Thank you to our incredible volunteers ❤️

We would like to extend our thanks to our dedicated volunteers who contribute their time and skills to our organisation. Your hard work and commitment are truly appreciated.

🎁 Merchandise: Colleen
🎉 Birthday Cards: Andrea
🎪 Events: Austen Family (WA), Glencross Family (QLD) and Leslie Family (NSW)

Thank you for all that you do!
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Thank you to our incredible volunteers ❤️

We would like to extend our thanks to our dedicated volunteers who contribute their time and skills to our organisation. Your hard work and commitment are truly appreciated.

💻 IT: Bruno
💲 Finances: Tonchi
🚨 CRM / System Team: Kanchana and Dyan

Thank you for all that you do!

Hello Amir 👏
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Amir, whose first child was born with symbrachydactyly on one of his hands.
From the early days, Amir and his family found Aussie Hands to be a fantastic group for information, advice and connecting with others.
Connect with Amir or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

Thank you to our incredible volunteers ❤️

We would like to extend our thanks to our dedicated volunteers who contribute their time and skills to our organisation. Your hard work and commitment are truly appreciated.

💻 Website Team: Vinnie, Fiona, Lana
📲 Social Media Team: Kate, Lana, Fiona
☎️ Marketing & Communications Team: Fiona, Lana, Karina
🤩 Fundraising Team: Kate, Karina, Elizabeth

Thank you for all that you do!

THANK YOU ❤️
To our Board of Management members, dedicated Mentors, and inspiring Ambassadors of The Aussie Hands Foundation. Your support and commitment make such a difference in our community. We couldn't do it without you! 🌟

✨ It is National Volunteer Week 20-26 May 2024. We could not do it without YOU! ✨

To all the incredible volunteers who generously give their time, energy, and passion to support Aussie Hands, we want to express our warmest thanks and gratitude.

Whether you are organising or lending a helping hand at events, spreading awareness online, or offering your expertise behind the scenes, your contributions make a world of difference.

This week is a great time to think about volunteering your time and giving back to this community.

For individuals: volunteering promotes individual well-being through offering a sense of purpose and opportunities for social connection.

For community: volunteering promotes community well-being through building networks and relationships.

We would love to hear from you, please reach out to Aussie Hands on [email protected] .

THANK YOU to our incredible volunteers…for being the heartbeat of Aussie Hands and helping us make a meaningful impact to people with a hand difference.


❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Thanks Beth Ferlazzo and Ozed - Australian Ectodermal Dysplasia Support Group for your shout out to Aussie Hands and the limb difference community. Love your work and support across the board to people and families. 👋❤️

🌟 Congratulations to Beth, our deserving winner of the competition we ran at ADX in Sydney.

Beth is the volunteer President of Ozed - Australian Ectodermal Dysplasia Support Group — an organisation that provides support and advocacy for individuals and families affected by Ectodermal Dysplasia which is a rare genetic condition.

“I attended the ADX Expo to gain valuable insights into what is happening in the world of dentistry to take back to our patient led support group. I personally have EEC which is one of the many different types of ED and as you can see from my photo my condition has resulted in a hand difference. As April was also Limb Difference Awareness month, I would also like to give a shout out to our friends at Aussie Hands who do a fantastic job supporting those with a hand difference.”

Thanks for coming to chat with us, Beth. Congratulations and keep up the amazing work!

Hi Amanda ✨
We would like you to meet one of our Mentors, Amanda, who lives in Brisbane and has a son Connor who was born with a hand difference.
Amanda would love the opportunity to support and mentor other parents and families who are navigating life with a child who has a hand difference.
Connect with Amanda or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

Read Felicity's story 📚
Teaching and talking about hand differences at school.
As a primary school teacher with symbrachydactyly, Felicity understands only too well how awkward it might be for children with a hand difference starting a new school or class.
She is always thinking about what might have helped her at school when she was a child and lets that guide her interactions with students.
Felicity has kindly shared her personal and professional experiences and advice with us in this story. Remember to check out our Resource Toolkit or the picture books Felicity recommends to help you and your child with school.

https://aussiehands.org/stories/teaching-and-talking-about-hand-differences-at-school-felicitys-story/

Hi Alison 🎈
We’d like you to meet one of our Mentors, Alison, who is a nurse, midwife and has a son with a hand and limb difference.
Alison would like to pass on the same kind of help she found immensely helpful when talking to other mums who have had similar experiences.
Connect with Alison or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page of our website - https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/ .

🧡 Illuminate Awareness for Limb Difference 🧡

April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, an initiative by the Amputee Coalition aimed at shining light on the experiences of individuals living with limb differences or limb loss. The Aussie Hands Board of Management have organised to support and share this movement with the community, symbolised by the colour orange.

Illuminations across Australia:

Perth – Monday 15th April:
Joondalup Drive Bridge
Matagarup Bridge
Mount Street Bridge
Northbridge Tunnel
Sky Ribbon

Rockhampton – Monday 15th April:
Riverbank Heritage Buildings

Melbourne – Monday 15th April:
Bolte Bridge
Sound Tube

Brisbane – Sunday 14th April and Monday 15th April:
Story Bridge
Victoria Bridge

Join us in this display of unity by visiting these landmarks on their respective nights. (Pictures within are the landmarks noted). We encourage you to capture these moments, share your stories, and bring awareness to limb differences.

📸 Tag us on Instagram or Facebook using and and send your footage through to us via message and we will do a collective post afterwards with all the great shots!

Learn more about Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month and why we light up in orange at Amputee Coalition https://www.amputee-coalition.org/events-programs/limb-loss-awareness-month/ .

👏 Hi Alicia!
We would like you to meet one of our Mentors, Alicia, mum to Charlie who was born in 2014 with a hand difference.
Alicia knows how conversations she had with supportive parents really helped when they were making decisions about toe-transfer surgery. Alicia is happy to chat with you about their experience starting kindy and school or around topics such as music and participating in other activities.
Connect with Alicia or any of our other Mentors on the Peer Support Network page.
https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

👭 Meet our Aussie Hands Mentors.
Have you heard about our Peer Support Network? It’s a great, free service that can connect you with people who have lived through similar experiences.
Our Mentors are there to listen, provide support and share their knowledge. Peer support provides a personal level of sharing experiences that foster meaningful connections and a deeper level of understanding. It’s a safe, supportive way to chat on a 1-1 basis at a time that suits. Think of it like our private Facebook group, but on a more personal level.
Over the next few weeks, we will introduce you to each of our Mentors and what they can offer. They have all undergone training and are happy for you to get in touch.
Visit the Peer Support Network on our website to find out more and make a booking. https://aussiehands.org/peer-support-network/

🌸🐣 Happy Easter to all our wonderful Aussie Hands families! 🐰🌼 As we hop into this season, we are reminded of the strength, resilience, and incredible support within our community. May your Easter be filled with love, fun and plenty of chocolate eggs. Let's continue to hold hands and support each other through every step of our journey. Wishing you all a safe, joyful, and egg-stra special Easter! 🌈♥️