By Jane Flett, Awards Office, Queensland Regional Achievers Awards Ken Baines of Manneum Creek via Kingaroy is one of ten finalists selected in the 2002 Queensland Regional Achievers Awards.
Ken was thirty years old, a married man with three small children when he became a quadriplegic following a serious motorbike accident in 1990, in which every bone in his body was broken.
Despite battling all odds health wise, Ken has managed to remain positive and optimistic about his life and others. He maintains a sense of humour and is very passionate about offering a helping hand to those in need.
Ken is noted as a tireless volunteer and fundraiser for many community organisations including the Queensland Cancer Fund, Centrecare, The Leukaemia Foundation and Cystic Fibrosis Fund. His devotion to these causes is evident by the many hours he freely gives to ensure the success of his efforts.
In 1997 he became an entrant in Challenge for Cancer leading his committee diligently through many functions including ten pin bowling nights and barbecue get-to-gethers which resulted in $18,083 being raised for the The Queensland Cancer Fund.
After personally qualifying for and winning the incentive prize of $3,500 in electrical goods, Ken proceeded to give the lot away to a number of charitable organisations, not even keeping a toothbrush for himself.
As patron of the Autism Society, Ken organised monthly dances last year for autistic and handicapped children, which proved to be very popular.
Ken counsels people on the phone from many parts of Queensland providing inspirational, caring and practical guidance. Some of his fellow patients from the spinal injuries unit continue to ring him frequently when their spirits are low and they are having difficulty coping. He has also started up regular tea and chat sessions at the St Mary’s Church.
Ken is currently on dialysis in Brisbane several days per week where he lives with his father. |