Celebrating International Persons with Disabilities Day

Molecular Scientist Chloe Kennedy felt right at home returning to her desk at Prince of Wales Hospital in 2019, after a skiing accident in Italy left her a quadriplegic.

With a height adjustable desk, an extra wheel on her wheelchair to enable her to visit doctors and clinics easily for work, and some ergonomic adjustments to her work station at home, Chloe resumed back into the role she loved.

“I felt completely supported – as well as helping with practical adjustments, everyone just kept telling me to ask for anything I needed,” said Chloe.

The damage to Chloe’s spinal cord left her partially paralysed from the chest down, but rehabilitation and years of physiotherapy mean she enjoys increasing mobility every year.

After working in the genetics laboratory, Chloe moved into a new role as a Business Development Officer, focusing on electronic access to pathology results.

Chloe and her partner Antonello are also enjoying parenthood, with their daughter Aurora about to start school. “I feel incredibly lucky,” Chloe said. “I have a wonderful family and a job I enjoy.”

 “Our District prides itself on creating a workplace that is inclusive and diverse and that warmly embraces people living with disabilities,” said Fiona Fahey, SESLHD’s Director of People & Culture.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Tuesday 3 December promotes awareness, understanding, and inclusion for people with disabilities worldwide.

At SESLHD, the day is to be celebrated with stalls in the atrium of St George Hospital and The Sutherland Hospital, including information from Guide Dogs Australia, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and the SESLHD Neuro-disability Palliative Care Team.