Stay safe and party on
Trauma specialists at The Alfred are extending an invitation for young people and their families to join them for an eye-opening night inside their world as they reveal the devastating impact of road trauma.
The P.A.R.T.Y. On Program is a new initiative for 17-25 year-olds from the same team who run regular injury prevention sessions for young people, showing the true impact of alcohol and risk-related trauma.
Alfred Health emergency nurse Sue Smith said young drivers are over-represented in road trauma admissions – a number which unnecessarily soars each Easter period.
“We often see this age group engaging in unnecessary risk-taking behaviour on our roads, but it’s not that often that this group get to see the true impact of those decisions,” Ms Smith said.
“We hear about the ones that don’t make it, but what we don’t hear about as much are the people who are left with life-altering injuries and years of painful rehabilitation as a result of a moment they’d give anything to take back.”
During the session, participants will hear from trauma doctors, physiotherapists, police officers, paramedics and former patients about their experiences dealing with the impact of road trauma.
Traditionally the program is offered to teenagers via their schools, however Ms Smith said opening it up to the wider community was an important step.
“It’s so important to provide older youth in our communities the opportunity to hear these messages,” she said.
“People in their early 20s are at a time in their lives where they are becoming more independent and have greater autonomy away from their families through experiences such as university, work, and travel.
“Even if you think you have a good understanding of risk-taking consequences, there’s nothing quite as eye-opening as seeing it first-hand from those who deal with trauma on a daily basis.”
The ticket-only program will be held on Thursday, 30 March from 5pm.
For further information and tickets visit: https://www.partyalfred.org/