App puts lives back on track

A GEELONG woman’s mission to help severely injured people gain their independence has been given a $50,000 boost.

Katherine Johnston suffered a severe brain injury in a 2010 car crash that left her in a coma for six weeks and forced her to relearn how to do basic tasks.

Over the course of her rehabilitation, Ms Johnston and her team of providers from the TAC and Guide Dogs Victoria developed a system of communication and crucial information storage using an iPad — a system which Ms Johnston soon turned into the iReach app.

On Friday, the TAC announced a $48,846 grant for Guide Dogs Victoria and Ms Johnston through its Small Grants Program to develop the app to help others with severe injuries better recover.

“I have trouble remembering important details and my iPad became my third arm to help me when I was out by myself,” Ms Johnston said.

“My carers and my therapists use it to leave notes for each other or to easily share information.”

The iReach app will provide messages and updates between users and their health care providers, therapists, carers and medical professionals, as well as automated reminders of medical and therapy appointments, a simple GPS function to assist users with independence and navigation and audiovisual assistance for users, including step-by-step video guidance for therapy tasks.

TAC head of independence Liz Cairns said the grant would help people like Ms Johnston better recover from severe injuries.

“Regaining quality of life and independence is a crucial part of recovery following a serious injury and supporting these projects helps our clients get their lives back on track,” Ms Cairns said.

State Finance Minister Robin Scott also welcomed the funding.

“These grants provide important financial support to projects that improve people’s lives,” Mr Scott said.

“Investments like the TAC Small Grants Program help to build a stronger Victorian community for everyone.”