Victorian disabled man fined for parking in a “Disabled Car Parking Space” – Image Courtesy Wikipedia

Mr Ben Williams was injured in a car accident at the age 13 months, some 49 years ago, leaving him a paraplegic.  He has been residing in the Monash Council for over 20 years, was fined for parking in a disabled car park over four years ago, claiming no disabled permit was displayed.

After repeated attempts to resolve the issue, the Victorian Police who issued the fine, have refused to accept copies of his disabled permit, which they claimed was not displayed.  He has had a Disabled Permit from the Monash Council since the time he arrived in Mulgrave to study at Swinburne University almost 25 years ago. Mr Williams Car Licence has a condition of ‘must have hand controls’, which the Department of Justice has also refused to take into consideration, which Mr Williams has also explained to them despite the fact that the hand controls are visible through the windscreen.

The Disabled Permit has evolved over the years, as there has been many problem of the permit not sticking on the window.  Some of the more progressive councils have move to a permit where it hangs on the mirror, reducing the likely hood of it falling.  Mr Williams has refused to pay the fine, this Friday will head to court in a hope that justice will prevail.  Mr Williams askes “Does this ‘pass the pub test’ or the ‘sniff test’, I don’t think so he claims”.  He believes this is nothing more than greed.  The Department seems to have a policy of no common sense at the moment with no respect for the people who they serve.

Mr Williams has been gainfully employed with Telstra for 22 years and a valued member of the community.  On his arrival to the area he was on the State Executive of the Victorian Young Farmers after serving 2 years as the State President.  More recently he has organised 3 family reunions, 2 in Waaia where his family has lived for more than 160 years and Kyneton were his material family settled.

In 2008, Mr Williams took his long service leave from Telstra, and spent 5 months in Europe travelling alone, throughout England, France, Portugal and Spain.

To compound Mr Williams plight, 2 years ago he snapped his bicep getting into his car.  Years of pushing his wheelchair around has taken its toll on his shoulder.  While the initial pain has gone, he has lost a lot of strength in his arm and the muscle will not heal without surgery, taking him out of action for 3 months.  His doctor’s advice was to get a new vehicle where he can drive from his wheelchair, taking a bit of strain of his shoulders.

Example Modified Vehicle Mr Williams hopes to raise money for via his GoFundMe page – (Image gofundme.com)

Since then, Mr Williams has done a lot of research into what vehicles are available and the costs.

The best option he has come across is a Volkswagen Transport from  Capital Special Vehicles in Dandenong.  They completely modify the van to his needs.  This vehicle has a lot of safety features, which others fail to deliver, however they come with a cost – the van all up would cost over $150,000.

Mr Williams has set up a GoFundMe page to assist with the cost – https://www.gofundme.com/benwillywheels.

Google Ben Willys Wheels to find more information.

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With an abundance of Yoga Teacher Training Courses on the market choosing what course to study can become daunting. Aligning Health have developed a premium Yoga Training Course to reintroduce the traditional teachings of Yoga by applying the philosophies and practices of Ayurveda.

Their mission it to train yoga teachers skilled in designing classes to include not only the physical postures but also how to work with the energies in the environment and teach according to the needs of the individual in group classes. ‘Yoga was traditionally taught one-on-one giving the students greater insight into their practice. Their course shows how to work with groups and still give individuals the attention they require to grow their practice. Some of our

According to the company, their course shows how to work with groups and still give individuals the attention they require to grow their practice. Some of our

“Some of our teacher use Ayurvedic body therapies like self-massage, life-style advice and cooking tips to help students make deeper connections”, says Sarah, course owner and Principal of 10589NAT Diploma of Ayurveda Yoga Teaching.

A unique component of the Yoga teaching course is the emphasis on nutrition. ‘My yoga students would often ask me about their diet. Evening classes make it challenging to work out when to eat. Our Yoga Teacher Training Course prepares potential yoga teachers with high levels of skill to make a dietary analysis for their yoga students,’ says Sarah.

Developing a style of Yoga training to meet national standards has not been an easy journey. The owners of Aligning Health Sarah and Zelko lived for two years in a caravan with their three young children on their 20-acre property on the outskirts on Bendigo waiting for their dream retreat and training centre to be built. Sarah recalls writing the course until the early hours of the morning in the makeshift bathroom while the family slept.

‘As a mum I understand the value of good nutrition. As a Yoga teacher I have furthered my practice by eating good food that supports my body and mind. The desire to see my family enjoy good food has been my motivation to keep going in the hard times’, says Sarah.

Aligning Health now have a course that is not only nationally accredited but is also recognized by the peak body of Yoga in Australia, Yoga Australia. Teachers in the course include local and high profile Yoga Teachers and Ayurveda Doctors around Australia. Students from all around Australia study the course and come to the newly develop Aligning Health Retreat Centre for practical training. This Australian initiative brings together two age-old sciences helping to re-establish balance with the physical whilst supporting the growth towards a more meaningful experience.

Aligning Health are course owners of the 10579NAT Diploma of Ayurveda Yoga Teaching delivered with RTO 30798. They also own the newly developed Aligning Health Retreat in Axedale.

For course prospectus contact Sarah at info@aligninghealth.com.au or visit www.aligninghealth.com.au for more information

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