Written my Robert Wise
I came across Physical Disability Australia while searching the web for activities and groups for people with a physical disability. During my search the PDA website was one of the options that came up. As I was reading the information on the PDA website, I noticed they were holding Social Hours once a fortnight using online video chat software known as Zoom and I decided the join the organisation and join these Social Hours.
PDA hold 2 social hours which includes a youth chat for under 30s and the general one. These social hours are open to all members of PDA. I decided to join the general chat. Pre-registration is required for the online chats. I took the plunge and signed up for my first social hour in June 2020. On joining my first one I felt rather nervous, but I was welcomed by the other regulars on the chat including Jonathon, Andrew, Liz and Natasha to name a few. Many topics are discussed including what we do, how we cope with life and to share some of our stories – both funny and not so funny.
The social hours helped me overcome some barriers during the 2020 COVID lockdown as I was stuck at home. All my regular activities had been cancelled including my Tenpin Bowling and the Men’s Shed. I live alone and, apart from one or two visits a week by support workers and therapists, my disability life can get extremely hard and lonely. Even though we have not met yet, I feel I have made some new friends through the PDA social hours. I counted down days every fortnight to join the next one.
I would like to invite all members of PDA to give it try. You may meet some old friends and make some new ones.
PDA Social hours are held on the first Monday every month at 7pm AEST.
For more information check out PDA’s Facebook page or email promotion@pda.org.au.
To register for a Social Hour go to:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqc–qqjkjG903J2KoieI9ASVSig7b4mxr
Hope to see you at a Social Hour soon.
