Blessing • FEB 4, 2019

Up next is our captain down under, Jodie McNair. Jodie approached Emily several years ago, to see if the Oarsome Grips might help her son’s hands…and if they did, Jodie might be able to help spread the word with more people in Australia. The grips passed the Cody test, and Emily, Jodie and Jeff (Jodie’s brother in law, we’ll hear from him at a later date) have built a strong connection.

Jodie is the reason we are able to offer fast delivery to our customers in Oz, and she’s the local person they can contact. Someone with a great network, and a great heart – we knew Jodie would be a great ambassador!

Leading by example, Jodie has a hand in influencing policy, helping to ensure disadvantaged children in Australia have a better future, all while helping more of the people in need of Oarsome Grips hear about us. Our Australian ‘wonder woman’!

Here's what Jodie had to say when we sat down after the Kettle boiled:

1. The kettle’s just boiled, what are you having?

French Earl Grey from my favourite tea blender, Tea 2, whom you can check out here

2. What’s the single best thing about your job?

In my everyday job, I get to make a difference for disadvantaged Australians here and now in service design, and also influence policy and funding decisions. Win, win!

In terms of my role with Oarsome, I’ve personally seen the difference Oarsome Grips have made for my son and nephew, and have heard back from other customers about their great experience. I’d love to see the day that Oarsome Grips are the go-to product to reduce some of the issues people deal with when spending lengthy periods of time on crutches or using a walking stick.

3. Who has had the biggest impact on your career to date?

I’m a long termer – with my current employer for 13 years and with my previous employer for 11 years. The encouragement of my current and previous managers has created opportunities to learn, grow and contribute in ways that I wouldn’t have thought possible.

4. What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?

My dad always said to use my initiative. In every aspect of life, being on the front foot has proven to be invaluable. Thanks dad!

5. Who is your inspiration?

It’s a bit corny, but my son is my inspiration. I want him to see that taking chances and doing your best is important, and that changing the world is possible.

6. If you had to give someone an award, who would you choose and what award would it be?

Again, my son has overcome the odds in terms of multiple health challenges through his life. I don’t know that I could have shown the maturity and composure that he has at such a young age.

7. What was the biggest challenge that you had to overcome?

My greatest challenge was having a baby with life threatening food allergies and associated health issues. It was challenging on every level - emotionally, practically and financially. My husband and I fought every day to keep him out of hospital. We did it!

8. What advice would you give to your younger-self?

Think about what’s important – it’s a version of “pick your battles”. The advice I have given others is that your kids need you to be well, energised and able to give them the care they need. If you’re not, then something needs to change.

9. What one thing would you like to be remembered for?

I’d like to leave a legacy that children in out of home care (cared for children) have a better deal in life. They are so incredibly disadvantaged, and in Australia that disadvantage continues for most kids leaving out of home care.

10. Our goal is making hands, so, what makes your hands happy?

It’s nerdy but I love playing Words with Friends – an online word game similar to Scrabble. My best opponent incidentally is my regular coffee/wine buddy too :)

Jodie is married with a teenage son. In late 2015 her son was diagnosed with Legg-Calve-Perthe’s Disease (Perthe’s Disease), a musculo-skeletal condition affecting his hip. Knowing that he would spend a lengthy period using crutches (initially 16 months, with subsequent intermittent use expected over the following three years), Jodie researched options to relieve the wrist and shoulder pressure her son was experiencing. Given the typical four year progression of Perthe’s Disease, it was an important issue to resolve to maintain his mobility and social interactions.

She was unable to find anything in the Australian market that met the needs, and eventually discovered Oarsome Grips, which proved to be the solution she was seeking.

Conversations with a wide range of people, including health and allied health professionals, during the 16 months her son used his crutches with the Oarsome Grips have not revealed any alternative product available in Australia.

Delivery in Australia just takes a day or two! Order online with us today! For guidance on sizing, please get in touch directly and give the contact us page a look.

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