Help Raise Money for Disabled Kids

Hi There,

Why not chip in and help us raise money to support children disabled by near drowning or other hypoxic brain injuries, and help us prevent future drowning deaths and disability. The money raised will be used to purchase equipment vital to the quality of life and daily care for these children, and to help raise awareness of vital drowning prevention and water safety messages.

POOL SAFETY LAW DEBATE - AUSTRALIA

POOL SAFETY LAWS – A HOT DEBATE

Key Points

• Another toddler drowning in a backyard pool as the debate rages about tougher fencing laws
• Support for QLD taskforce report on pool safety laws
• CHOICE research highlights the need for integrated pool safety standards
• Contact for families who have experienced a near drowning


The QLD Governments Pool Safety Review Taskforce has released its report for public comment on the QLD Department of Infrastructure Planning website. The Samuel Morris Foundation was one of the many organisations which made submissions to the taskforce prior to the release of the report. The Samuel Morris Foundation supports all of the suggestions for improved pool safety contained in the report.

As was to be expected the report is generating some significant debate on this topic around the country.

Michael Morris, Managing Director of the Foundation said “sadly another two year old girl has lost her life to drowning in Thargomindah QLD over the weekend, at the same time that the debate rages over the QLD Governments moves towards tougher pool safety laws. It is exactly these types of tragedy that the Samuel Morris Foundation and other organisations are trying to prevent, and tougher pool safety laws are part of this solution, the QLD Governments taskforce report provides a clear path to improving the safety of all swimming pools, regardless of their location.”

Michael Morris said “research by consumer organisation CHOICE highlights that the issue of pool safety is one that needs to be dealt with in a whole of pool life-cycle approach.

“CHOICE has identified that many products sold as pool fencing materials do not meet the Australian Standard which highlights the need for mandatory, rather than voluntary standards for pool safety products. Choice also reinforces the need for tougher pool laws by highlighting that pool fencing products need to be checked at the time of manufacture, at installation and at regular intervals after installation.

“The Western Australian Government is the only government that currently mandates regular safety inspections after the installation of a pool. The Samuel Morris Foundation is calling on all Governments to review and strengthen pool safety laws and regulations to help prevent drownings in backyards. The risks associated with backyard pools are the same whether you are in Queensland or any other state, and we need consistent and mandatory safety standards and enforcement laws for pool safety around the country.”

The NSW Government is currently reviewing pool fencing laws, but unlike the QLD government has not sought input from stakeholders prior to commencing a review of the legislation. Other State Governments have yet to take action on this issue which contributes to on average, the loss of lives for 35 toddlers under the age of four, leaves approximately the same number of children with brain injuries that leave them with disabilities for life and results in around 140 other admissions to hospital for children in this age group EVERY year”

Mr Morris said “we are calling on the Governments around the country to immediately implement changes to the legislation associated with home pools to introduce mandatory CPR requirements for pool owners, as well as urgently introducing mandatory safety inspections and certification on a regular basis. According to the World Health Organisation (2008) and other research four sided isolation fencing and teaching parents and care-givers CPR skills are proven strategies for reducing drowning in the 0-4 age group.”

He said “the fact that there many different standards applied to swimming pools around the country is a parlous state of affairs. Governments continue to allow pools built prior to certain dates to remain unfenced, and do not have mechanisms for the ongoing mandatory enforcement of compliance for those pools that are required to be fenced, this means that tragedies such as those indicated above WILL continue to happen on an all too frequent basis”

Michael Morris said “as the parent of a child who is one of those left severely disabled as a result of near drowning, and as Managing Director of Australia’s only charity supporting children disabled by near drownings or other hypoxic brain injuries we know only too well the difficulties faced by near drowning survivors and their families, and the impact that these events have on the children’s wider community. It is a sad reality that for every child who dies as a result of drowning another four are admitted to hospital following near drownings and one fifth of those will be left with a brain injury that results in disabilities for life”

Jo-ann Morris said “we are trying to give every parent a wakeup call. All toddler drownings can be prevented. My son could be a normal little 5 year old a that would now be a quarter of the way through Kindergarten, having fun, running, playing, exploring, learning and growing. This is not so, and far too many families experience the grief of death or disability that we are experiencing. We don’t want what has happened to us to happen to another child and to devastate another family.”

Michael and Jo-ann Morris said “We also encourage anyone who has been touched by a child drowning death or near drowning experience to get in touch with the Samuel Morris Foundation to assist in building a network of people with similar experiences to support other families in similar circumstances, and to help continue to educate others about the importance of water safety”

Photo by Rickes'

What Next?

What expectations have you set? What are you trying to hold onto with those expectations? Are you trying to preserve the past, to bring back something that simply cannot be, or are you trying to hold on to a vision of the future that is probably unobtainable, and setting you up for disappointment?

One of the things that must be dealt with is this question of expectations vs acceptance of what is. In conversation (with my self) and indeed with many others I often find that it is either the holding on to what was, or attempting to define a future that cannot be controlled that is the cause of the greatest amount of angst.

However, when it is possible to sit with what is, and accept the present for what it is and to be wholly present NOW without worrying about what was or what is next, it just flows and there seems to be simple happiness, and no anxiety.

I could get all philosophical and talk about the buddhist concepts of grasping and letting go and walking the middle path, but I sometimes like song lyrics to explain it all, so to use some of the (selective) words from a couple of the legendary Van Morrison songs:

"
when everything falls into place like the flick of switch,
when everyone is upfront and they're not playing tricks,
when it's nobodys business the way that you want to live,
when you ring out the changes of how everything is,
when you don't need an answer there'll be days like this,

There's only here, there's only now!
"

Can you accept NOW, if not what's NEXT?

Bathtub near drowning - A safety reminder

Samuel Morris Foundation Managing Director, Michael Morris, said “the near drowning of a four year old girl in a bath in suburban Melbourne is a reminder that half of all drowning deaths in the 0-4 year age group occur in places other than backyard swimming pools, including bathtubs, rivers, creeks, ponds or other water sources”

Michael Morris said “the safety messages for preventing bathtub drownings are the same as the messages for preventing drowning in backyard pools, they are:

• Supervision – children aged 0-4 should be supervised around any water sources, including during bath time, they should not be left alone to play in the bath
• Effective Barriers – children should be restricted from access to full bathtubs, or any other source of water. Keep bathroom doors closed
• Water Familiarisation – Bath time can and should be fun, but children should be taught not to go near water sources, including full baths, without a parent present.
• Knowledge of CPR – knowing CPR and first aid may well be the difference between life and death if the unimaginable happens.

Michael Morris said “It is a sad reality that for every child who dies as a result of drowning another four are admitted to hospital following near drownings and one fifth of those will be left with a brain injury that results in disabilities for life. As the parent of a child who is one of those left severely disabled as a result of near drowning, and as Managing Director of Australia’s only charity supporting children disabled by near drownings or other hypoxic brain injuries we know only too well the difficulties faced by near drowning survivors and their families, and the impact that these events have on the children’s wider community. ”

Jo-ann Morris said “we are trying to give every parent a wakeup call. All toddler drownings can be prevented. My son could be a normal little 5 year old that would now be a quarter of the way through Kindergarten, having fun, running, playing, exploring, learning and growing. This is not so, he is trying to teach others to be aware of water safety and its dangers. We don’t want what has happened to us to happen to another child and to devastate another family.”

Michael and Jo-ann Morris said “We also encourage anyone who has been touched by a child drowning death or near drowning experience to get in touch with the Samuel Morris Foundation to assist in building a network of people with similar experiences to support other families in similar circumstances, and to help continue to educate others about the importance of water safety”

Photo by Krikit

Near Drowning Anniversary - Time for reflections

9 April 2009 marks the 3rd anniversary of Samuel Morris' near drowning accident. Like all anniversaries it prompts reflection about what has happened since the event that set in train the process of having anniversaries.

This anniversary is obviously tinged with sadness for all the Morris family and all those associated with Samuel. It is a further reminder of the loss of Samuel as a normal, fun loving and cuddly little boy, and the ever present reminder of his severe disabilities as a result of the accident.

Samuel will spend the anniversary visiting a neurosurgeon to discuss upcoming surgery required to help relieve his spasticity/dystonia stiffness and pain. This comes on top of today's news that the scoliosis in his spine has continued to significantly deteriorate and the surgery to correct this is urgenty required, and news that he has another bacterial colonisation on his already severely affected lungs.

Tragically the toll of toddler death and disability from drowning / near drowning has not stopped since Samuel's accident, although it is pleasing to note that there has not been a reported toddler drowning death or near drowning in Australia for over a month, which is good news as they usually happen on average every ten days.

The Foundation is concerned that with School Holidays and the Easter long weekend that this trend may not continue, as in previous years the month of April has seen a spate of toddler drownings/near drownings. So please if you have toddlers, or you know people with toddlers or school age children remind them about the importance of vigilance during this period.

Whilst many of us adults may consider that the water is getting too cold, it is still attractive to children. So please also heed the reminder to check the pool gates and fences, and the surrounding environment to ensure that there are not things around the yard that can be used to aid climbing the fences.

Today the Foundation contined it's visits to another family who is currently still in hospital going through the devastation associated with a near drowning that occurred several months ago. Young Joshua's family is showing tremendous courage in dealing with their situation, and providing a first hand account of their journey at the following blog
http://joshuakoman.blogspot.com/ . Their story will be familiar to anyone who has had dealings with a severe near drowning incident.

Whilst this anniversary will be sad it is also an opportunity to reflect on the good that has come from Samuel's tragic accident. Samuel inspired the formation of the Samuel Morris Foundation through his determination and strength to keep fighting despite his significant challenges.

Since starting the Samuel Morris Foundation many families have been assisted in providing vital equipment needed for the daily care and quality of life for their disabled children. The Foundation has formed significant partnerships, and continues to form new partnerships to strengthen the water safety and drowning prevention messages.

The Foundation has contributed to spreading the vital drowning prevention and water safety messages needed to help reduce toddler drowning deaths and disability.

The Foundation has lobbied and continues to lobby politicians at all levels of government to improve the legislation and regulations associated with home swimming pools, their certification, maintenance and ongoing inspection, and the need for pool owners to be armed with skills such as CPR.

The Foundation has also contributed to research at the Childrens Hospital at Westmead in an effort to help improve the treatment of children with hypoxic brain injuries which result from near drownings.

So while the day will be sad, it will also mark some progress in helping to battle the silent epidemic of toddler drowning / near drowning in Australia.

Your continued help in support of the Samuel Morris Foundation is greatly appreciated. Your help will assist in ensuring that some other families never experience the need to have an anniversary like the one Samuel and his family and friends are facing.

How can you help?

*Invite all of your friends to join the cause via the website www.samuelmorrisfoundation.org.au or facebook

*Send a link to the Foundation website to all your family, friends and work colleagues

*Encourage your family, friends and work colleagues to make regular donations to the Foundation

*set up your own regular donation to the Foundation

We thank you in advance for your efforts in continuing to support the cause, and help us spread the message about the work we do.