"Quad Centre"

I am writing to share my dismay over the closure of the Quad Centre in Shenton Park, a vital service that has been operating for 50 years. In 2016 the then health minister announced a new facility was to be built, much joy. Then last year health department representative called a meeting at the Quad Centre for an update. Here's the update - no new centre, we're shutting this one down and moving you all out into the community. Into places like old age care, really? You wish to move someone who is a quadriplegic into an old age facility? A person who need specialists care, a person who has no control over their limbs, no control over their body temperature, their bowel movements, who need assistance with just about all aspects of daily living. To say this decision was met with anger is an understatement, and no one seems to cares. I have written to many media organisations and have had very little response or interest. I don't know how to make people aware of this debacle. Since May of last year I have heard there is no new centre, now maybe there will be a centre of some sorts, although exact details are sketchy at best. Then someone said NDIS, oh bloody hell, if some one can explain this to me and how it will benefit the residents there, I would love to here it. I would love to sit down with these people and have them explain to me how this whole scheme is going to be better than what they already have. I have corresponded with the current WA Health Minister, zero feedback, and a member of the opposition, who is at least having a crack and most importantly I have met with the residents there on several occasions. To say they feel they are being shafted is an understatement. While they all agree the Quad Centre could do with a lick of paint, no one there wants to move, they are quite happy with their lot. They are quite happy in this place they call home, some for over 30 years, and to be told by some outside force who has no idea of their daily struggle, that we're shutting the joint, seemingly because it suits them, they just see that as mind boggling. Recently when I visited my friend of 48 years, he told me the next kick in the guts is that they are closing the kitchen. Really? A place where the 25 or so residents congregate 3 times a day for the most basic human need, eating, this is now to be shut and meals bought in. In my opinion, talk about steamrolling a group into submission, just start taking away the basics and break their bloody spirit. I hope someone can step in and at least keep the kitchen running until the centre is closed. I believe this treatment is disgusting and they have no voice. I'm all they've got and that's a bloody sad state of affairs. In my opinion, shame on the health department, shame on the state government and shame of the powers that be that just let this happen.