Enabling Inclusion: Dr. Heena Sinha’s Inspiring Contributions and Expertise in Empowering Individuals with Disabilities

Unwavering determination and commitment to a goal are two qualities that enable individuals to make their dreams a reality. Utilizing their unique talents, they strive to create meaningful outcomes not only for themselves but also for the betterment of their own lives and the lives of those in their community. 

One such individual, Dr. Heena Sinha, has made remarkable strides in utilizing her passion for helping people and leaving a lasting legacy of innovation and positive impact.

 From a very young age, Dr. Sinha was made aware of the positive impact one can have on another’s life; and that no matter what, it is always worth one’s while. Motivated by her own experiences with abuse and personal trauma, Dr. Sinha refused to let others suffer at the hands of negligent adults. Her unwavering commitment to making a difference remains resolute to this day.

Dr. Sinha’s passion for helping others has only intensified over time. A passion that translated into her education when she received her Master’s in Public Health from Deakin University Burwood. Since receiving her degree, Dr. Sinha has held several titles, such as Volunteer, Intern, Senior Local Area Coordinator, Co-founder, and even Director.

 Helping others through her professional life

 Though she began working while still living in India, it wasn’t until she came to Australia that her professional life began to gather steam. One of her most prominent positions was when she worked for Latrobe Community Health Service. 

During her tenure there, one of Dr. Sinha’s chief responsibilities included assisting people with disabilities. She ensured they were supported outside of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) scheme by working in the community and holding jobs within a range of their personal abilities.

 As an NDIS representative, Dr. Sinha also investigated incident reports and inspected the living quarters of disabled individuals to ensure they were healthy and safe. Additionally, she also contributed to the development of the Occupational Health and Safety Plan as well as its implementation.

 One of her crowning professional achievements was the establishment of My Second Home. A lush nature retreat in Melbourne for people with disabilities, providing them with a chance to connect with nature and enjoy a stress-free respite with friends. The facility is well known for its wheelchair-friendly facilities, along with a team of well-trained staff that specializes in the care of individuals with disabilities.

Guests who have stayed at My Second Home, have truly enjoyed themselves and have praised how well they were taken care of. Former guest Maz says: “It’s been an amazing ten days of relaxation and respite and looked after by the beautiful staff here and feeling very nurtured…..and everyone has made me feel comfortable and safe here.”

Dr. Sinha is extremely proud of her and her husband’s accomplishments at My Second Home. She says, “Every time we get on a call with our guests for feedback, we always get to hear how grateful they were to get a break that was just for them.”

Dr. Sinha’s most recent venture has been the establishment of Simple AI, a platform that contributes to the development of AI solutions to streamline various work problems within an office scenario. This innovative tool is effective for productive communication, thus allowing a smoother workflow for users.

 As a coach and volunteer

 For almost a year, Dr. Sinha worked as an International Student Peer Educator at the North Richmond Community Health Center. The job title required her to develop session content for international students and help familiarize them with the concept of sexual health and well-being.

 Over a period of several months, Dr. Sinha volunteered at Positively Transforming World, where she educated the public on oral and dental health and hygiene. She was also in charge of developing and overseeing educational workshops related to dental care.

 Part of a study to analyze the primary care services in Australia

 In 2016, Dr. Sinha, along with several colleagues, carried out a study focused on the effects of Medicare Rebate Freeze – a law that was carried out because of which families have to pay high out-of-pocket fees whenever they visit the doctor. Before that, the Medicare system would help with several medicinal costs such as General Practitioners (GP) visits, blood tests, X-rays, and even consultation with other medical specialists.

 Dr. Sinha and her team determined that despite the freeze, the demand to see General Practitioners has not dropped. Despite the positive result, she recommended that further studies and analysis be carried out in areas that were significantly less well-off to help see the entire picture.

 Positives to being a multilingual individual

 With elementary proficiency skills in Bengali and Bhojpuri and a professional level of proficiency in English and Hindi, it is no surprise that Dr. Sinha is a co-founder of Support Coordination Australia. It is an organization that provides coordination services in multiple languages to NDIS participants. This venture also established the start of Dr. Sinha’s entrepreneurial journey alongside her partner.

 Throughout her journey, Dr. Sinha has shown true perseverance and hard work. From a simple Dental Intern to becoming an entrepreneur and establishing three successful organizations, all dedicated to helping others, she has proven that anyone can overcome whatever obstacle stands in their way.

By maintaining a harmonious balance and assuming unwavering determination, Dr. Sinha has been able to live up to her aspirations and have a positive impact on those around her.