Not long ago the life expectancy of someone with a serious spinal cord injury was a few short years. Up to the 1930s, for example, the life expectancy of a person with a spinal cord injury was less than three years, and even less for people with quadriplegia.

Today it's different. Thanks to improved immediate post-injury treatment, antibiotics and advances in the general care of spinal cord injuries, a person with paraplegia or quadriplegia is likely to have an average life span.

And that’s where ParaQuad steps in. ParaQuad was formed in 1961 to give support to people with SCI over their lifetime, developing services to promote independence after spinal cord injury.

Until the early 1980s, ParaQuad was run from a small suburban house at Hurstville, and had a small, but very active membership. The organisation grew, offering services such as the ‘Welfare Room’ which in the ‘80s provided 10 product lines for members, ParaQuad Engineering and an attendant care program, largely brought into being by CEO, Bob Duncan.

The organisation moved headquarters several times: to Ashfield, Homebush, and in 2003, to the new purpose-built site at Newington.

The history of ParaQuad has been captured in a commemorative book "The ParaQuad NSW Story". This limited edition book covers the history of the organisation with photos and stories from staff and members in its 200 pages.  Available for purchase on Tel: 8741 5627.


The organisation has had a stable leadership, both at board and CEO level over its 45-or-so-year history.

Presidents
Dr John MF Grant
Dr Edward Watts*
Mr David Kerr
Ms Wendy Potter* 2004-

CEOs
Ashley Coops* was the founding Secretary/CEO 1961-1983. Passed away in December, 1987
Bob Duncan* 1983-2002
Greg Smith 2003-2006
Max Bosotti 2006-

*denotes person in a chair

ParaQuad building May 2006

ParaQuad’s Life Members

Dr John MF Grant OBE longstanding president and founding member of the Association - head of spinal unit at Royal North Shore for many years.

Fred Kaad* OBE Member ParaQuad since 1966, Vice-President 1975-1998. Became a paraplegic following plane crash in 1964. Deputy Chairman of SpinalCure Australia since 2004.

John E Quick (deceased) ParaQuad board member, and president of Ferguson Lodge management committee. Became a life member in 1987.

Neville Kidd on the Board for 24 years -1967-1991, made a life member on his retirement from the Board in May,1991. Treasurer of the Association.

Francis P Coyne (Frank) OAM (deceased) Made a life member in 1998, for his 'dedication, support and encouragement of the Association'

Mary Cleary president of the Newcastle branch for nine years. Newcastle branch opened in 1979.

Bob Duncan* CEO of ParaQuad 1983-2002. Made life member in 2006.

*denotes person in a chair