Physiotherapist Ruan Swart uses MAF aircraft every week. The flights enable him to provide physiotherapy to the people of Elcho Island, Arnhem Land, one of the remotest places on earth.
For Ruan, the stress-free, 40-minute plane ride saves hours travelling by boat and land.
He helps Aboriginal people who’ve lost a limb, had a stroke or experienced a brain or spinal cord injury, as well as patients suffering from depression and anxiety, who often struggle to leave the house.
‘Although physiotherapy doesn’t cure mental health issues, with regular exercise it hopefully improves their mood and helps them feel better’, Ruan explains.
‘The Indigenous people are very connected to their land. They love going fishing and making a fire on the beach, but their mental health conditions are preventing that.’
Because of this, Ruan works with occupational therapists and support workers to help his patients get out and about.
‘So, if we can get them out to the beach to collect firewood, make a fire, go fishing and get some exercise, then it helps them feel a lot better and more connected to their culture and land again.’
Ruan is not only a frequent MAF flyer, he’s a committed Christian.
He points out that, ‘Because the Aboriginal people are inherently spiritual, I’ve had way more opportunities to speak about Christ in my workplace here than I did back in Perth, working in private practice. There, it was quite a challenge to bring up a conversation about what God has done for us.
‘But I really enjoy that part of my work, and it’s amazing to see how much the Yolŋu people want to learn. It just makes sense to them that there would be a God who loves them.’
‘MAF is unique,’ he concludes. ‘They help a lot of health professionals and teachers to get to remote places. Because of MAF, people have more access to the services they need, helping them live as normal a life as they can.’
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