Venue For Pilot And Primary Research Programme

The YELP Holistic First Business Plan initially assumed that the Pilot and Primary Research Programme would be held exclusively in NSW.  However, the Pilot and Primary Research Programme could be conducted in another State or ACT or across two States and ACT or one State and ACT, particularly as Pedal Power ACT is a large and successful Bicycle Organisation which already offers a dedicated programme to assist vision impaired and other Disabled ride a tandem bicycle. 

NSW, ACT and Vic could each provide one or two of the 5 Selected District Recreational Road Cycling Groups which would be drawn from LDRREGs for Recreational Road Cycling near the Venue For Pilot And Primary Research Programme.

The Primary Research Programme would be conducted during the Volunteers leisure hours, on Saturdays and Sundays building up to 100km recreational group bicycle rides on lower traffic roads on the perimeter of the major cities of the Selected District Recreational Cycle Groups.

25 Volunteers from amongst the Disadvantaged and Marginalised - both Abled and Disabled:

The final few paragraphs in Section 3.VII.(a) and Section 9  -

(a)        acknowledge the wonderful work that humanitarian, Peter Cullen, through RecLink Australia, Sporting Chance Day and Choir of Hard Knocks (singing) have achieved by using sport to create a nexus with Marginalised, 'vulnerable' Australians, whereupon many Disadvantaged have rebuilt there lives, via various sports (and also singing) which is patent testimony to Nelson Mandela's proclamation in Section 9; and

(b)        notes that Homeless World Cup, Midnight Street Soccer and Midnight Basketball are highly successful programmes to assist the Marginalised to improve their Self-esteem, QOL and Contribution To Society which have been created by talented, caring people with Philanthropic endeavours and a strong Sense Of Community. 

Logically, transforming an Obese and lethargic Interested Adult presently leading a Sedentary Lifestyle and afflicted by at least one of the Taskforce's Three Public Health Risks, either Abled or Disabled, who hails from a high socio-economic suburb or a Disadvantaged or Disabled from a low socio-economic group, into a tenacious hill climber Participant in a Recreational Road Cycling Group would weigh materially higher in Return On YELP Capex Software than transforming an Interested Adult presently leading a Sedentary Lifestyle into a Participant in a RREA who isn't overweight, isn't overly stressed and/or doesn't over indulge in Abuse Recreational Drugs.  

Andrew aka TugBoat aged 40, who lives in the outer western Sydney suburb of Narellan, halved his weight over 2½ years to Feb 2008 - dropping from 110kg to 85kg to 70kg to 57.47kg.  Andrew's new found love for road cycling has successfully influenced a dozen of his work colleagues to follow his lead.  A profile of many 38 year olds weighing >100kgs who were well under 6' in that socio-economic region would assign a high 'Forecast Medication Cost' and 'Low Productivity'.  Since halving his weight, Andrew has developed a zest for life, successfully encouraging others to emulate his transformation.

Consequently, as explained in Primary Research Programme, the YELP Holistic First Business Plan proposes that 25 of the 50 Volunteers be drawn from amongst the Disadvantaged/Marginalised, both Abled and Disabled, because -

(i)         they offer the opportunity to achieve greatest marginal benefit from the Primary Research Programme; and

(ii)        a free bicycle and Hilly Rides Challenge Equipment Kit would be more appreciated by Disadvantaged and Disabled who likely could not afford them.

Section 16(e) proposes the 50 Volunteers -

(i)         (i)         receive a free $1,000 (retail price) bicycle and $300 worth of Hilly Rides Challenge Equipment Kit -
*         as an inducement to participate in the Primary Research Programme; and
*         because Commitment, Dedication And Discipline, as well as a lot of personal time, will be required from each Volunteer; and

(ii)        retain the bicycle and Hilly Rides Challenge Equipment Kit as their property -

             *          whilst ever they satisfy the requirements of the Primary Research Programme in the YELP Holistic First Business Plan; and

             *          permanently upon completing the 10 Months Tenure Of Primary Research Programme.

If any of the 50 Volunteers fail to complete the Primary Research Programme, those bicycles could be given to RecLink Australia or Sporting Chance Day as explained in the penultimate paragraph in Section 3.VII.(a) and Section 9. 

The Business Plan Developer -

a)         has cycled as a Pilot on different tandems for 8 Disabled Adults;

b)         has reviewed National Disability Services - NSW website;

c)         was in the same class for 10 years at school with Michael Raper, Director Welfare Rights Centre of NSW who won the 2007 Justice Award.  Michael was President of the Australian Council of Social Service between 1997-2001.  The Business Plan Developer would confidently 'phone Michael Raper to ask him to assist procure 25 Disadvantaged  Volunteers for the Primary Research Programme; and

d)         believes with the guidance of people like Peter Cullen founder of RecLink Australia, Sporting Chance Day and Choir of Hard Knocks [and singing] (Section 3.VII.(a)) and Michael Raper, and through liaison with NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS), National Disability Services etc, 25 Volunteers can be sourced from the Disadvantaged and marginalised who would welcome the Challenge of being one of 25 Volunteers for the 10 Months Tenure Of Primary Research Programme in the Venue For Pilot And Primary Research Programme.

No doubt it would be a much more onerous task for RECs to Administer 25 Disadvantaged during the 10 Months Tenure Of Primary Research Programme, some of whom would be Disabled, and require more time for the Research Programme Team to monitor them.  However, the opportunity to turn 25 Disadvantaged who are, low income, Obese, with 50% also afflicted by Another Health Ailment in addition to the Taskforce's Three Public Health Risks, into committed Recreational Road Cycling "junkies" with Materially Altered Lifestyle cannot be passed up as it represents a marvellous Challenge synonymous with the Hypothesis, and would add enormously to the impact of the RTV Promotion of the Pilot and Primary Research Programme to springboard the subsequent Propagation Phase.

Section 16(j) "Case Study of 13 interested adults with varying ailments who accepted a Challenging invitation from a team of Clinicians, Sports Therapists and a USA national Public Broadcasting Station, PBS, to tackle a RREA, namely to run in 9 months time the 2007 Boston Marathon" chronicles the success in a controlled/monitored physical/mental experiment in 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts where 13 citizens with no endurance running experience who were leading a Sedentary Lifestyle who had various material ailments (HIV, Type 1 Diabetes, heart attack, Depression, divorce, Obesity and post-fatality trauma) succeeded physically and mentally well beyond forecast expectations.

Include amongst the 50 Volunteers some Volunteers who are enduring Chronic Pain

Scope exists to similarly include amongst the 50 Volunteers in the 10 Months Tenure Of Primary Research Programme some Volunteers who are suffering some types of Chronic Pain.

In order to treat some types of Chronic Pain, the Second Basic Component Of CBT, under the Biopsychosocial Behaviour Model, advocates:

2.     Providing coping skills training in wide variety of cognitive and behavioural pain coping strategies. 
Progressive relaxation and cue-controlled brief relaxation exercises are used to decrease muscle tension, reduce emotional distress, and divert attention from pain. 
Activity pacing and 'pleasant activity scheduling' are used to help patients increase the level and range of their activities.
Training in 'distraction techniques' such as pleasant imagery, counting methods, and use of a focal point helps patients learn to divert attention away from severe pain episodes. Cognitive restructuring is used to help patients identify and challenge overly negative pain-related thoughts and to replace these thoughts with more adaptive, coping thoughts.

Recreational Exercise Activities within a LDREG under the Optimum, Uniform Delivery Model also provide the above pleasant 'distraction techniques' which decrease muscle tension, reduce emotional distress, and divert attention from pain. 

Depending on the nature of the Chronic Pain, commencing a REA within a LCCBSG may divert attention from Chronic Pain and provide a 'pleasant activity scheduling' which may distract the patient from their Chronic Pain and enhance Self-esteem and physical appearance/fitness - explained in 2. above being the Second Basic Component Of CBT.  For example, sitting in a chair can often be the worst thing for lower back pain because the spine is not sufficiently supported by the core muscles due to a comfortable chair taking the load, whereas working the core muscles when cycling out of the saddle whilst not bowing the lower back can trigger lots of important muscles to do some work.  The sense of physical achievement from completing a bicycle ride once thought beyond the capability of the patient can provide enormous self-belief to enhance Coping Skills.   However, some lower back injuries are aggravated by cycling, but some of these occasions can be overcome by strengthening and lengthening the core muscles, as well as the hamstrings and quadriceps.

The Department for Anaesthesia and Pain Management at Royal North Shore Hospital provides a highly capable pain management facility.  Sydney University has an eminent Pain Management Research Institute.  Both of these esteemed health facilities could add valuable assistance in assisting who suffer Chronic Pain to be part of the 50 Volunteers.

The Paralympics evidences countless athletes around the globe, many of whom have overcome or continue to endure Chronic Pain in order to pursue their sporting ambitions.  ABC1's Australian Story of Monday 21 April 2008 titled "Woman Of Steel"  featured Ann Skinner's extraordinary determination to return to competitive horse riding to represent Australia in the Paralympics, despite requiring strong pain medications.  Other equally courageous Disabled Australians, some of whom endured Chronic Pain during their rehabilitation, and may continue to experience it, are profiled at  9 world class Disabled Australian athletes.

Section 4 notes that 11 Resolute Diehards  listed in Annexure "E" of the Third Business Plan have suffered 17 debilitating Serious Cycling Accidents.  These are all Cyclists that the Website Developer has cycled with during the last 10 years.

This chronicle of 17 Serious Cycling Accidents suffered by 13 Cyclists (4 Cyclists have experienced 2 Serious Cycling Accident) in Annexure "E" highlights that -

(i)         cycling may be dangerous;

(ii)        as governments are now overtly encouraging Australians to consider road cycling for short commuter trips for Climate Change and health benefits, then as explained in the -

(a)        Second Business Plan, governments need to provide a mechanism for such Australians (keen to cycle for short commuter trips on public roads) to join a local Community Bicycle Group to enable a safer way for new Cyclists to -
*          learn from experienced cyclists Risk Management Protocols - Cycling; and
*          develop confidence and skills in order to cycle on public roads more safely; and

 (b)       Third Business Plan, governments need to provide Pertinent Risk Warnings for new cyclists to better understand the Causes Of Serious Cycling Accidents, whereupon being on the alert when cycling in similar conditions/circumstances; and

(iii)       adults who have overcome onerous physical challenges drawn from having previously participated in RREAs, instinctively draw upon those experiences in overcoming adversity to want to bounce-back because Recreational Exercise Activities Are Fun & Addictive."  Often the seriously injured cyclist craves the first day he or she will "get back on the bike".  The same want, fervour and passion of "recover and return behaviour" is equally apparent amongst all other RREAs, because overcoming onerous physical Challenges with your sporting buddies is a powerful driver.

The definition of Primary Research Programme explains it is a supervised trial over 10 months pursuant to the Primary Research Programme Brief and within the Primary Research Programme Budget to Test The Hypothesis involving -

*           25 Volunteers who work in a Specific Industry Group which are exposed to anxiety and stress and Depression such as NSW Nursing and midwives or NSW Teaching Federation etc [could be held in another State(s) or ACT], and

*           25 Volunteers drawn from amongst the Disadvantaged and Disabled by seeking the assistance of renowned humanitarians [referred to in Section 16.(c)] to garner these 25 Volunteers.

All 50 Volunteers would need to be presently leading a Sedentary Lifestyle and afflicted by one or more of the Taskforce's Three Public Health Risks.

At least 25 of the Volunteers would need to be from amongst the Disabled and Disadvantaged. 

Of these 25, at least -

*         12 Volunteers would be Indigenous Australian adults; and

*          5 other Volunteers presently attending a drug rehab centre conducted by The Salvation Army "Bridge Program". 

12 Indigenous Australian adults

Indigenous Australians account for only 2.4% of the total 22m Australia population.  Hence, 50 Volunteers would normally only include one or two Indigenous Australian in order to be a representative sample.  However, the Taskforce's interim report,  "Australia: the healthiest country by 2020 - A discussion paper prepared by the National Preventive Health Taskforce" notes that Indigenous Australians are at a "High Risk" to Lifestyle Related Chronic Diseases.  

The Taskforce and the Indigenous Health Equity Council are committed to ‘Close the Gap’ - by reducing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.  Hence, it is important to draw a disproportionate representation of Indigenous Australians within the 50 Volunteers to prove that the Hypothesis will reduce this gap by applying the Second Basic Component Of CBT to enthuse Indigenous Australians to want to Improve Personal Health & Fitness by changing their diet, and reducing their reliance on cigarettes and alcohol by substituting for the 10 Months Tenure of the Primary Research Programme the RREA of Recreational Road Cycling within a local Selected District Recreational Cycle Groups under the Optimum, Uniform Delivery Model. 

5 other Volunteers presently attending a Salvation Army "Bridge Program" drug rehab centre

The Salvation Army "Bridge Program" -

1. has helped more than 50,000 Australians "to cross the bridge to a new life" since it began in 1964 - helping Australians who are dependent on drugs, alcohol or gambling to achieve a higher QOL;

2. is a long-term, residential program where applicants live in a Bridge Recovery Centre for eight to 10 months to develop the fortitude and confidence to sever their dependence on drugs or gambling; and

3. provides 550 residential beds in NSW, ACT and Qld, with around 200 staff members involved in clinical, nursing, domestic, catering, and administration teams. 

Bridge Recovery Centres include -

• William Booth House Albion Street Surry Hills, offering a 31-bed detoxification unit. 

• Sydney Inner-city Detoxification Unit, Surry Hills offering a 10-bed detoxification unit for homeless men

A few years ago, a Muggaccinos cyclist, Paul aka Small Bus Driver, took himself off to The Salvos due to a dependence on alcohol.  Paul spent a few months at William Booth House before being transferred to Miracle Haven Recovery Services Centre at Morisset.  Paul believes that 5 Disadvantage participants in The Salvation Army "Bridge Program", stationed at Fountaindale, Morisset, Wickham, East Nowra or Wentworth Falls, could be suitable Volunteers to form a LDRREG, with the support of -

i)          the Business Plan Developer in his role as Head Consultant For Pilot, Research Programme;

ii)         the Research Programme Team;

iii)        at least Two Seasoned Endurance Road Cyclists and a local social worker, who each live in close proximity to the selected rehab centre from amongst Fountaindale, Morisset, Wickham, East Nowra or Wentworth Falls.
 

Positive Life NSW "The voice of people with AIDs since 1988" lists a plethora of assistance accommodation for AIDs suffers incl Odessy House, Surry Hills which may be another option to source Disabled and Disadvantaged Volunteers.

RTV viewing appeal to "Hilly Rides Challenge"

Footage in the RTV Promotion titled "Hilly Rides Challenge" of -

A)        12 Indigenous Australians  Volunteers drawn from -

            (a)        10 aboriginals living on a remote aboriginal settlement who formed their own LDRREG, with the support of i), ii) and iii) immediately above to provide necessary emotional and physical support to the 10 Aboriginal Volunteers; and

            (b)        2 Torres Strait Islander people working in say Sydney; and

B)        5 attendees of The Salvation Army "Bridge Program" on an eight to 10 month drub rehab programme would also be Volunteers,

would enhance the impact of "Hilly Rides Challenge", and prove well worth the cost provision within the Primary Research Programme Budget cost to the YELP  SPV to highlight that by providing a physical Challenge as a distraction to their existing isolated lifestyle Improves Personal Health & Fitness.

25 Volunteers from a Specific Industry Group which is exposed to anxiety, stress and Depression, perhaps Nursing and midwives: