Getting Out There - 2021-22

PromotingAbilities

Supporting residents Getting Out There

Accessible servicesand facilities

Advisory groups

Whangarei District Council has three Advisory Groups that meet monthly:

•DisabilityAdvisory Group (DAG)

•PositiveAgeing Advisory Group (PAAG)

•Youth Advisory Group (YAG).

The purpose of these groups is to provide Council with advice about policies, plans and projects from the perspectives of the community sectorsthey represent.Accessibility for everyone is akey priority for both the Disability and Positive Ageing Advisory Groups. Inclusion for all young people is one of the key focuses for the Youth Advisory Group.

CitySafe

CitySafe is a collaborativeproject between Council,the New Zealand Police, and NorthChamber aimed at ensuring a safer and accessiblecity.

The 0800 258 258 CitySafe toll free number enables peopletoreport safety problems such as graffiti, broken or damaged streetlights, damaged footpaths and trip hazards, bikes in the mall,skateboarders in the CBD or people behaving in an unsafe way. Our friendly CitySafe Community Officerspatrol the inner city

7daysaweek and, along with the monitored CCTV cameranetwork,are the eyes and ears for public safety.For more information visit www.CitySafe.co.nz

Library services

•Large Print

•eBooks, eMagazines and eAudiobooks online

•Half price rentals on Tuesdays forthe over 65s

•Hobbygroups: Library CraftGroup,Creative Colouring-In for Grown-Ups, Flash Fiction and Scrabble 500 Club

•Familyhistory research

•Book aLibrarian for personalised help with using library online services

•Book Out home delivery service

•FreeStepping Up computerclasses.

Parking &mobility

•70+ parking fee exemption

•Mobilityparking

•DisabilityWorking Parking Permit

•Freeabout town mobility equipment.

www.wdc.govt.nz

Council’s website contains afeaturecalled BrowseAloud. This is afreeprogramme that ‘speaks’ web pages or translates intomultiple languages for people with dyslexia,lowliteracy,English as a second language, and those with mildvisual impairments.

For more information

Whangarei District Council

Forum North, Rust Ave, Whangārei P: 09 430 4200 or 0800 932 463

E: mailroom@wdc.govt.nz

W: www.wdc.govt.nz

Promoting Abilities Contents

EpilepsySupportGroup–WeareaTeam

24 Huntington’sDiseaseAssociation

25 Huntington’sDiseaseAssociation–HooryahAsif

26 MuscularDystrophy

27 MuscularDystrophy–It’sreallytheonlything

28 MNDNewZealand 29 MNDNewZealand-WhatisMND?

NorthlandMSSociety 31 NorthlandMSSociety–PromotingAbilities

Our aim is to provide an environment where we are responsive, that people feel included, andsupportive of people with intellectual disabilities to feel empowered with the choices they make in their lives. Our servicesare focused on the person to ensure they have agreat life.

Theseinclude:

SupportedLiving: We support people in their daily living, to participate in their community andtake control of their ownlife and make their own decision. Stuart Jenkinsstates “

32 NorthAble–MatapunaHauora

33 NorthAble–TorrinHona

34 ParenttoParentNorthland

35 ParenttoParentNorthland–Special voyageforspecialsiblings

36 Parkinson’sNewZealand

37 Parkinson’sNewZealand–KeepMoving

38 StrokeFoundationNZ–Supportinglife afterstrokeinNorthland

39 StrokeFoundationNZ –Monique Pourewa

40 ParafedNorthland–Growinginclusive SportinNorthland

41 VolunteeringNorthland

42 TLC4U2–InHomeCareProvider

43 CitizensAdviceBureauWhangarei

44 BlomfieldSchool–playistheway!

45 ForgetMeNot

48 TheMiriamCentre

49 SpecialOlympicsWhangarei Bytheathletes–fortheathletes Morethanjustsports

50 Come&visitusatThePapermill!

51 HalbergFoundation–providinginclusive opportunitiesforall

52 AgeConcernWhangareiServices

54 NorthTec–Takethesteptoworkwith peoplefacingchallengesinlife

55 Rhonda’sNorthTecjourney growsconfidenceandcapability

56 CancerSociety-Awhimai,awhiatu

57 WelcometotheWhangareiRDA

62 2021-2022CalendarofEvents

63 2021-2022CalendarofEvents

Information &Services

Relating to disabilityinNorthland

Linking people,families and carers living with adisabilitytoinformation, adviceand supportintheir community.

Visit www.tiaho.org.nz/support find out more about whatservices these organisations provide in Northland

In Northland,thereare arangeof organisations providing aDisabilityInformationAdvisoryService. These areknown as the ‘Northland DIAS Collective’.

Tiaho Trust supports these organisations by helping to improvethe access to and utilization of their information and services in Northland foryou and your families/whanau.Tiaho Trust is your first pointof call if youare unsurewho to contactorhave anyquestions,call us on: FREEPHONE: 0800 430 3406.

TheDIAS Collectiveprovides various services about aspecificdisability, or disabilityingeneral,such as:

• Adviceand information

• Advocacy

• Communityeducation and awareness

• Supportgroupsand networking

• Home visits

• Access to health professionals

• Referrals and assessments

• Equipment

• Seminars/workshops

• Resources

Together,Tiaho Trust and the DIAS Collective, empowerthe Northland communitybypromoting the disabled communityasvalued citizens who contribute, participate and add to the diversityofNew Zealand society.

ForDIAS contactdetails please refer overleaf

Information &Services

Relating to disabilityinNorthland

Your A-Zdirectory of disabilitysupportproviders:

Alzheimer’s www.tiaho.org.nz/alzheimers

148 CorksRoad,POBox 7027, Tikipunga, Whangarei 0144 0800 004 001

Whangarei (09) 438 7771

Dargaville 022 691 6068

Kerikeri (09) 407 3010

Kaitaia (09) 408 1123 northland@alzheimers.org.nz www.alzheimersnorthland.org.nz

Arthritis NewZealand www.tiaho.org.nz/arthritis Unit B, 383 Khyber Pass Road, Newmarket, Auckland

Freephone: 0800 663 463 info@arthritis.org.nz www.arthritis.org.nz

Blind LowVision NZ www.tiaho.org.nz/blind_foundation

277 Kamo Road,Whangarei

Phone: (09) 437 1199

Freephone: 0800 243 333 info@blindlowvision.org.nz www.blindlowvision.org.nz

Brain InjuryAssociation www.tiaho.org.nz/brain_injury 98 Cairnfeild Road,Otangarei PO Box4001, Kamo,Whangarei Phone: (09) 459 5013 northland@brain-injury.org.nz www.brain-injury.org.nz

CCSDisabilityAction www.tiaho.org.nz/ccs 291 Kamo Road,Whangarei PO Box8035, Kensington, Whangarei Phone: (09) 437 1899

Fax: (09) 437 0209

Freephone: 0800 227 2255 Northland@ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz

Deaf Aotearoa Northland www.tiaho.org.nz/deaf_aotearoa 1A DeveronStreet

Phone: 0800 332 322 national@deaf.org.nz www.deaf.org.nz

Down Syndrome SupportGroup www.tiaho.org.nz/down_syndrome Kara Road,RD9,Whangarei

Phone: (09) 434 6723

Freephone: 0800 693 724 national.coordinator@nzdsa.org.nz www.nzdsa.org.nz

Epilepsy Northland www.tiaho.org.nz/epilepsy Civic Arcade,Level 1 37-41 Bank Street, Whangarei PO Box1074, WaikatoMail Centre, Hamilton 3240

Phone: (09) 438 5498

Freephone: 0800 374 537 northland@epilepsy.org.nz www.epilepsy.org.nz

Huntington’s www.tiaho.org.nz/huntingtons PO Box16181, Sandringham Auckland 1351 Phone: (09) 815 9703

Freephone: 0800 432 825 huntingtonsakld@xtra.co.nz www.hdauckland.org.nz

MotorNeurone Disease www.tiaho.org.nz/mnda YarntonHouse,14Erson Ave,Royal Oak,Auckland PO Box24036, Auckland 1345 Phone: (09) 624 2148 Mobile: 027 202 8166 teamldr@mnda.org.nz www.mnda.org.nz

Multiple Sclerosis Northland www.tiaho.org.nz/ms Suite6,71Bank Street, Whangarei Phone: (09) 438 3945 Mobile: 027 539 9883 nthlndms@xtra.co.nz www.msnz.org.nz

ATiaho Trust Project

Muscular DystrophyAssoc NZ www.tiaho.org.nz/muscular P.O.Box300429, Albany 0800 636 787

Phone: 09 415 5682 Mob: 021 824 018 info@mda.org.nz www.mda.org.nz

NorthAble

www.tiaho.org.nz/northable 40 John Street, Whangarei

Freephone: 0508 637 200 northable@northable.org.nz www.northable.org.nz

Equipment Showroom: 73 John Street, Whangarei (09) 430 3469

www.equipmentplus.org.nz

LYNKZ: (09) 430 3470 42 John Street, Whangarei

Parent toParentNorthland www.tiaho.org.nz/parent2parent

Mob: 027 808 3942

Freephone: 0508 236 236 northland@parent2parent.org.nz www.parent2parent.org.nz

Parkinson’s Northland www.tiaho.org.nz/parkinsons PO Box11067

Manners St, Wellington 6142

Freephone: 0800 473 4636 info@parkinsons.org.nz www.parkinsons.org.nz

Stroke Foundation

www.tiaho.org.nz/stroke

Whangarei &Districts

Freephone: 0800 459 954 northland@stroke.org.nz

MidNorth/Far North

Freephone: 0800 566 383 far.north@stroke.org.nz www.stroke.org.nz

TiahoTrust

EachyearTiahoTrustproducet magazine‘GettingOutThere’t whatdisabilityservicesareav throughoutNorthland.Notonlydow 15disabilitysupportorganisations alsoprovidestoriesaboutpeoplewh theirservices.Thisyearourmagazi is“PromotingAbilities”showcasing withadisabilityinNorthland.Acco StatsNZ,only22.5percentofdisabl Zealandersareemployed,compared percentofnon-disabled.Thisisast wishtoalterinNorthland.

InNewZealandbeingemployed providingvoluntaryservicesishow individualsarerecognisedfortheir contributionstosociety.Inorderfo disabledpeopletobevalued,inclu andparticipatingemploymentishu important Thisyearwewillalsobehosting OutThereEXPOusingthesamethe aslighttwist.The“PromotingAbiliti alsohaveafocusonthebenefitsofe disabledpeople,employmentopport trainingproviders,celebratingemplo disabilityfriendlyenvironmentsfrom localbusinesses.TheEXPOwillbe Augustfrom10am–4pmatForumN TiahoTrustoffersfreeindepende advocacyservicestodisabledpeopl familymembers.Ifdisabledpeopleortheir familymembersfeellikeyou’rebeingtreated unfairlybecauseofyourdisabilityoryoufeel

youaren’tgettingthesupportsorservicesyou areentitledto,contactTiahoTrust.

TiahoTrustendeavourstomakeour communitymoreinclusiveanduserfriendly todisabledpeoplebyprovidingtheir “NoProblem,You’reWelcome”Disability AwarenessCustomerServiceTrainingtoa varietyoforganisations.Weutilisefacilitators

withlivedexperienceofdisabilitiestodeliver thistrainingusingexamplesoftheirown livestoeducatesorganisationsonhowto deliverexcellentcustomerservicetothelarge disabilitymarketsegmentinourcommunity WecanalsoprovidetrainingforHealth Professionalswhichin2019wasendorsed bytheRoyalNewZealandCollegeofGeneral Practitioners(RNZCGP).Trainingcanbetailor madeonrequest

WealsoconductAccessibilityAudits fororganisationswhowouldliketomake theirservicesAccessibleandwelcomingto everyone.

TiahoTrustisadisabledledorganisation thatisproactiveinprovidingadvice, educationandtrainingtodevelop communitiesthatareinclusiveofdisabled peopleandwhovaluetheircontributionto thecommunityofNorthland.

TiahoTrust

oundFloorTaiTokerauMaoriTrust ardBuilding3-5HuntStreet Box374,Whangarei

Phone094303406

eephone08004303406

Emailinfo@tiaho.org.nz

Webwww.tiaho.org.nz

FacebookTiahoTrust-Disability AMatterofPerception

WHEN: Friday 3rdDecember 2020 10am-2pm

WHERE: Riverbank Theatre, ReyburnHouse Lane

Promoting Abilities Vanassa McGoldrick

AsCEOofTiahoTrustIinterviewed VanassaMcGoldrick.Ihaveknown herforover20yearsandremember thefirsttimeseeingherwhenIwas12years old.Wewerebothgettingonthesamepla (webothhadadisability)andshegave meacharmingsmile.Shehasalsobeena ChairpersonofTiahoTrust.

Istartedbyaskingherwhatherimpairment was.Shereplied“it’scalledNail-patella Syndromeanextremelyrarecondition.To knowledgeIwasthefirstpersonbornwith itinNewZealand.Itaffectsyourkneecaps, somepeoplearebornwithpartial,deform ornokneecaps,abnormalfingerortoenai andthisisadefiniteindicatorthatyouhave thegene.Iwasbornwithnokneecapsor cartilages,noquadricepsmusclesinmy thighs,whichmeantthatwithoutthese,I couldn’twalk.”

Herparentsfirstadvicefromdoctorswa amputateherlegsasshewouldnotbeableto walk.Herparentsdidn’tagreewiththatadvice andsoughtspecialistadviceinEngland. VarioussurgerieswereperformedinEngland andNewZealandovertheyearsandsheis stillwalking.

Iaskedabouthercareer,Irememberher oncesayingthatherparentsencouragedher whenquiteyoungtobecomingthetypist fromhell.Shestartedtherenditionofher vocationaljourney“Iwas16whenIwanted tobecomealawyerandwasathighschool whereIwastoldthattherewerenoAccessible

UniversitiesinNewZealand.Therefore mychancesofpursuingthatcareerwere zero.Iwastoldforgetthedreamofgoingto Universityandbeingalawyer,learntotype. So,IthoughtifthatisallthatIcouldbethenI wouldbeTHEBESTtypist

VanassawasaStenographerfor3yearsat theWhangareiDistrictCourthouseandwhen shewas21yearsold,shetookher130words perminuteskillstoLondon.Shesaidshe didn’thaveaproblemgettingemployment “Itwasaboutmyskillsnotmycrutches.Most

oyerswhentheylookatyouturningup interviewalltheyseeisthedisability isimportantthatyoucanproveyouare thananyoneelsefortheposition” herreturntoNewZealandherdesire alawyerneverwentaway,soshe dasaLegalExecutivedoingpapers orrespondenceonproperty,estatesand ion nassadidLegalExecutiveworkfor20 includingworkingforHendersonReeves supportedherherdreamofbeinga r.MarkHenniganfromtheLawFaculty agoUniversityagreedtohelpbyallowing oworkfromadistanceforthemajority lawdegree.Thiswasnotpossibleat Universityatthetime.Allsheneeded omeonetotapethelecturesandsend mtoher,whichwaswhattheydid.Inher yearshepassedoneexamwithover90% achievedherlawdegreeandin2012was admittedtotheBar,whilestillworking30 hoursperweekatHenderson&Reeves Vanassaopenedherownlawfirmin July2019specialisinginfamilylaw,witha particularpassionforhelpingthosewhoneed legalaid.EachyearsherunsaWillSpecialand donatesmoneytolocalcharities.Forthepast 2yearsshehassupportedtheMiriamCentre –thisyearitwillbeHospice–sowatchoutfor herwillspecialinJulythisyearwithwillsat halfprice Vanassahasgonefromatypistfromhellto alawyerfromheaven.

MCGoldrickLaw

We specialise in Family Law,dealing withCareofChildren matters, Family Violenceand Relationship Property. We canalso sort outyour willand powers of attorney forproperty and personal care and welfare. In situations wherea loved one has lost mentalcapacityand thereisan urgent need to placethem ina resthomeordeal withtheir property, we can assist youwith thecourtapplications. We also assist with disabilitylaw and ACCclaims.

Come and see ourfriendlyteam forall of your family legal needs. Youcan contact us on 09 438 4999.Our officesare located at8/58 Bank Street (inthe arcade between the QuestApartmentsonBankStreetand theback of Farmers).

AlzheimersNorthland

AlzheimersNorthlandsupportspeople withallformsofdementia.Advisers arebasedincommunitiesthroughout Northlandtoprovidealong-termpointof support

GeneralManagerKevinSalmonsaidsupport isoftenneededformanyyears.

Theorganisationoffersone-to-onesupport overthephoneandinperson,offering expertise,practicalknowledgeandsupport Therearealsosupportgroupsforcarers, wheretheycanshareexperiencesandgain strengthintheknowledgetheyarenotalone.

Homecarerseminarsalsohelptogive caregivers,whoareoftenspouses,further understandingofdementiaandtoolsfor

copingwitheverydaychallenges.

Dayprogrammesarepopular,providing asafe,funandstimulatingenvironmentfo thepersonwithdementiaaswellasgiving thefull-timecarersamuch-neededregular break.Onceclientshavebeenapprovedb DistrictHealthBoard,sessionsareprovided freeandtransportcanbearranged.

Socialactivitiesincludesing-alongs,music therapy,bakingandcooking,applepeeling, soupmaking,scienceexperimentsandcr projects

Activitiesofteninvolvenostalgiaasclient canoftenrecallmemoriesfromlongagora thanshort-term.

Staffalsopromoteandencourageclient maintainfamiliarskills,independenceand worthbyassistingwithstaffhelpingsettables formeals,foldingwashing,dryingdishes, helpingcleanupafterlunch,maintainingthe vegetablegarden,settingupactivitiesand insomecasesassistingstaffwithleadingan activity

AlzheimersNorthlandalsoofferseducation sessionsforprofessionalcareproviders, communitygroupsandbusinessesthatwant tobemorehelpfultopeoplewithdementia.

Theone-daycourses,calledUnderstanding Dementia,areheldindifferentareas ofNorthland,andsessionsprovide opportunitiesfordiscussion,interactive exercisesandprintedresources.

AlzheimersSocietyNorthlandInc AddressWhangareiOffice,112Corks Road,Tikipunga,Whangarei PostalPOBox7027,Tikipunga, Whangarei0112

Phone094387771or0800004001

Emailnorthland@alzheimers.org.nz

Webwww.alzheimersnorthland.org.nz

Kevin Salmon

Aleisha &David celebrating St Paddy’sDay

Promoting Abilities AlzheimersNorthland AleishaDobson

Reminiscingisanimportantpartof helpingAlzheimersNorthlandclientsto bethebestthattheycanbe.

ForAleishaDobson,runningtheDay Programmeisanimportantpartoftheworkof theorganisation.

AlzheimersNorthlandholdsDay Programmestoprovideasafe,funand stimulatingenvironmentforthepersonwith dementiawhilegivingfull-timecarersamuchneededregularbreak.

Aleisha,whoisadiversionaltherapist,says themostimportantpartisforthepeople withdementiatohavesocialinteraction andengagementwithothers,butequally importantforthecarers.

“Thebenefitsworkforbothsides,’’shesays.

TheweeklyprogrammesareheldinWhangarei fromMondaytoSaturdayattheirpurpose-built buildinginTikipunga.Theyalsohostgroupsin WaipuonTuesdaysandFridaysandPaihiaon Thursdays.Sessionsarefrom10amto3pm.

“Ourprogrammecatersforpeopleat differentstagesintheirdementia,from moderatetofurtherdowntheirjourney.’’

Aleishasaysshort-termmemoryisoften theareamostdementiaclientsstrugglewith, sotheprogrammeaimstocoverarangeof stimulatingactivities.

Cognitiveactivitiesareakeyfocuswithinthe programme,consistingofwordgames,board games,cardsandpuzzles.

“Itmightbewhattypeofcartheylearntto drivein,whotaughtthemhowtodrive,which oftenbringsoutalotofdiscussion,especially amongtheguys.’’

Themen’sgroupalsoreallyenjoyedthevisit fromtheNorthlandClassicCarclubinDecember Therearemanyphysicalandsocialactivities incorporatedintoeachday

KINDHANDS

is apurpose-built cottage, offering respitecareand Early Childhood

Educationfor children whohavea disability and/or aremedically fragile and/or aretechnology dependent within Northland.

19 Morningside Road, Morningside Whangarei, 0110

Ph: 09 4597383

Mobile: 0212341294

Email: info@kindhands.co.nz

“Ifwecan’tgetourclientsoutinto thecommunitythenweliketobringthe communityhere,sowehavearangeofvisitors. Forexample,thechaplaincomesregularly,we havelocalentertainersandguestspeakersand evenpettherapy.”

Physicalactivitiesincludeminigolf,SitFit exercises,TaiChi,pool,bowls,danceand balloonvolleyballandmanymore.

“Wemodifyouractivitiesandgamestobe realisticandachievableforall.’’

“Weallhavesuchapassionforwhatwe doandit’ssorewardingtoseeourclients leaveattheendofthedayingreatspiritsand lookingforwardtocomingbackagain.”

WESTECH AUTOMOTIVE

All Automotive Computerised Systems European Specialists

RobertStreet,Whangarei •Ph459 6670 www.westechautomotive.co.nz

Staff supporting Theme day –Aleisha is the Cat in the Hat

Arthritis Aleadingcause of disability

Arthritisisapainfulanddebilitating conditionforanyonebutforthosewho aretryingtoearnalivingthedifficulties canbeevengreater.

Theymayhaveproblemsgettingtimeoff worktogotospecialistappointments.Workers mayhavetouseupalltheirsickleaveortake leavewithoutpaywhencopingwitha‘flare’ Sometimesit’sthephysicaldemandsofthe workitself(standingorlifting)thataredifficult Oritmaybethenegativeperceptionsofwork colleaguesthataddtothestress.

Ontheotherhand,flexiblehours,modified equipment,understandingcolleaguesand managerswhotakeapositiveleadcan goalongwaytowardsmakingsurethat workplacesareaccessibleandwelcomingfor peoplewitharthritis.

Atleast700,000NewZealandersare affectedbyarthritisand49percentofthose areofworkingage.Musculoskeletaldisorders

likearthritisareamongtheleadingcauses ofdisabilityandrepresentahugefinancial burdentotheNewZealandhealthsystemand theeconomy

ArthritisNewZealandprovidesinformation andsupportforpeoplewithallformsof arthritis,atanyage.Whilethereisnocure, mostpeoplecanlivefulfillingandproductive liveswithearlyintervention,goodtreatment andself-managementtools.

Wealsoadvocateforallthoseaffected byarthritis,includingfamilies,andprovide trainingforhealthprofessionalsthrough workshopsandseminars.

Arthritiseducatorsareavailableon0800663 463duringbusinesshourstogiveadviceon treatments,painmanagement,employment issuesandaccesstoothersupportservices. Duringthelastyearwehavedevelopedmore onlineanddigitalservices,includingZoom Cafés,moreWebinars,onlinecoursesandthe

helpspeoplewithosteoarthritismanagetheir condition.WearealsodevelopingaChatBot forourwebsiteaswellasrollingoutthePeer Supportprogrammewhichlinkspeoplewith trainedvolunteerswhoalsohaveasimilar diagnosis,tooffersupporttopeopleneeding suchsupport

Thereisanactivearthritissupportgroupin Whangareiandwater-basedexerciseclasses arerunindependentlyattheAquaticCentre.

ContactArthritisNewZealand Phone0800663463

Websitewww.arthritis.org.nz

VisitourFacebookpage Emailinfo@arthritis.org.nz

Promoting Abilities Whangarei20plus supportgroup

Agroupforpeopleofallageswithany formofarthritis.That’sthepurpose ofthissupportgroupforpeoplewith arthritiswholiveinWhangarei.

Thenamesaysitallandreflectsthatarthritis affectsallages.Itisnotaconditionthatonly affectstheelderly.Itcanaffectthoseintheir 20sasmuchasthoseintheir70s.Infact,in NewZealand,halfofthepeoplewhohave arthritisareofworkingage.Childrenand teenagerscanalsohavearthritis.

Arthritisisamajorhealthissueandaleading causeofdisabilitythatcoststhecountry$12 billioneveryyear(figurefrom2018).It’snot “justabitofarthritis”aswehearalltoooften–itisaseriousandpainfulconditionthatcanbe debilitatingandcausesignificantdisabilityfor thosesufferingfromit.

Therearemorethan140differentforms ofarthritis;themostcommoninNew Zealandareosteoarthritis,goutarthritisand rheumatoidarthritis.

Oneofthebestwaystosupportpeople witharthritisistoconnectthemwithothers whoareexperiencingthesamepressuresand challenges,andthatiswhythe20plusgroupin Whangareiissuchasuccess.Thegroup’sfocus istoprovidesupportandshareexperiencesnotjusttheproblemsbutalsothesuccesses andachievementsofmembers.

Thissharingcancoverarangeofissuesand challenges,andmembersbenefitsignificantly fromtheexperienceofothersandthe

informationthegroupcanprovide.Discussion isstimulatingandcanbecontroversialas memberssharetheircopingmechanismsand thebarrierstheyareworkingtodemolish Discussionscanrangefromaccessing medicinalcannabis,healthcareservicesin Whangarei,homesupportservicestouseful equipmentthathelpsmakelifealittleeasier forpeoplewitharthritis.

Another important partof thegroupis sharingthecircumstancesandpressures

family.Membersfindthissharing such a beneficialfeatureofthe group- members haveawiderangeof experienceand expertiseandknowthe localcommunity verywell.

Everybodyiswelcometocomealongto thegroup,whichmeetsonthefirstSaturday ofthemonthattheNazareneChurchonthe cornerofNixonandPrincesStreets.Youcanbe assuredofawarmwelcomeandanexcellent opportunitytomeetotherswitharthritisand

Safeguarding your Future

Enduring Powers of Attorney (“EPAs”) allowyou to decide who looks after your property and welfareifyou lose the ability to do it yourself. Ourfirm offers Will and EPApackage deals at competitiveprices. Contact our wills and EPAspecialist Cass Hayward today for afriendly chat.

Contact us for furtherdetails 7Maunu Road, Whangarei P(09) 4373070| F(09)437 2070

Email: info@malawyers.co.nz|www.malawyers.co.nz

Lifewithoutlimitsistheaimof BlindLowVisionNZ

Everyday,anaverageofsixNew ZealandersturntoBlindLowVisionNZ forsupportwithsightloss.

Theorganisationadvocatesforaccessible andinclusivecommunitiesbecausewebelieve peoplewithsightlossshouldbeabletoget aroundpublicspaceslikeanyothermemberof thecommunity,accessthesameinformation, andpursuethecareeroftheirdreams withoutunnecessarybarriers.Age-relatedeye conditionsinNewZealandarerisingasour populationagessowealsowantNewZealand todobetterattakingeyehealthseriously

Thefourmostcommoneyediseasescausing blindnessandpartialsightareage-related maculardegeneration,diabeticretinopathy, glaucomaandcataracts.BlindLowVisionNZ helppeoplewhohavelimitedusefulsight, makingitchallengingtodosomeday-to-day tasksevenwiththebestcorrectivelenses. Threequartersofthepeopletheyhelphave

somevision(whichtheycalllowvision),and theremainderareblind.

yourindividualneedsandgoals,howeverbig orsmall.Clientscanregisteronlineorover thephonetogainaccesstoawiderangeof supportandresources.

BlindLowVisionofferculturalsupportfor MāoriandPacificclientsandtheirwhānau, communityandfriends,aswellasservicesto helpbusinessesandeducationalinstitutions caterforablindemployeeorstudent.Some clientsexperiencedualsensorylosssodeafblindservicesarealsoavailableanywherein NewZealand.

BlindLowVisionNZareNewZealand’s leadingproviderofvisionrehabilitation, providingpracticalandemotionalsupport forpeoplewithvisionloss.Ourvision rehabilitationservicesarepersonalisedtomeet

BlindLowVisionhasanextensivelibrary, withcollectionsandservicesincludingthe BookLinkdigitallendingandreadingservice. Helpwithdailylifeandtravellingaroundthe communityisanimportantservice,including trainingwithacaneorguidedogonpublicor privatetransport.BlindLowVisionalsoprovide adviceonmakingthemostoftechnologyto helpwithindependence.

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,callourteam on0800243333oremailgeneralenquiries@ blindlowvision.org.nz.

OfficehoursMonday,Tuesday,Thursday andFriday9amto2pm. Websitewww.blindlowvision.org.nz

Ming Ming Edgar KerryGreenfield

Promoting Abilities

Graham Scahill

GrahamScahillhasneverletalifetime oflowvisionholdhimback.Bornwith congenitalcataracts,Grahamdidhis schoolingwiththeBlindFoundation,now knownasBlindLowVisionNZ.

Hesaystheorganisation’snewnamebetter reflectsthehugerangeofvisionimpairment amongpeople.

“Theorganisationlooksafterpeoplewith partialsightrightuptototalblindness.It affectsalotofpeopleatsomestageintheir lives.

“Ihaveareasonableamountofsight, enoughtobeabletoseeshapes.Mywifehasa twinsisterwhichhascausedsomeinteresting situations,’’hesayswithachuckle.

Thisallowedhimtohaveacareerworking asatelephoneswitchboardoperatorforthe HousingCorporationandlaterfortheMinistry ofWorks.

“Ihadtoremember200numbersonthe switchboardandlater300,allofwhichhad cordstomaketheconnections.’’

Healsooperatedtheministry’searlyradio telephonenetwork,mostlyintheAuckland region

Heretiredinthe1980sandmovedto Whangareiin1999,tobeclosetotheirsonwho istotallyblind.

Grahamsayshecanread“althoughImight getablacknosefromholdingthenewspaper soclosetobeabletoseetheprint”

Withhislatewife,Janette,whowastotally blindanddeaf,Grahamwasheavilyinvolvedin supportorganisationswhichinvolvedalotof

travel,inNewZealandandoverseas.Janette hadaguidedogbutdidn’ttakethedogwhile travellingoverseassoGrahambecameher “guidedog”

Followingherdeathin2006,Graham eventuallygotintouchwithanoldfriend, Gaylene,whoisnowhiswife.

Theyhavecontinuedtobeinvolvedin supportingandfundraisingforBlindLowVision andtheCancerSociety

Graham’spassionissailing,andheloved beinginvolvedinBlindSailing,whererace

areincludedinthecrew,onlytoassistin emergencies.

Hewasparticularlyproudtohavebeen abletotakethehelmofoneoftheoriginal America’sCupracingyachtsand“gotupto35 knots”.

Now90,Grahamandhiswifeenjoyregular exerciseandwalksonthebeachwhenthey areable

TheCovid-19lockdownwasparticularly difficult,hesays.

“Thatslowedusdownwhenwecouldn’tgo outmuch.Butwecontinuetodoasmuchas wecan. ’’

• Ophthalmic EyeExaminations

• Cataract Extraction and lens implant

• Pterygium Excision plus conjunctivegraft

• Injection forwet age related Macular Degeneration

• Glaucoma treatment • Cataract surgery

EyeSpecialists: David Dalziel and Andrew Watts

Phone: 09-972 7022

12 Kensington Ave, Whangarei

Email:pceyes@xtra.co.nz

Website:www.bit.do/EyeCentre

TheBrain Injury Association

OurMission: To provide direction,choiceand independence to thoseaffectedwithbrain injury.

OurVision: To listen, supportand educate

OurPurpose: Providinga voice, community focused, professional service

Braininjuryisthebiggestdisability intheworldandoneofthemost misunderstoodduetoitscomplexity.It istheleadingcauseofdeathanddisabilityin NewZealand Nooneisimmuneandyourlifecanchange foreverinaminute.

ForVikkiHerdmanandKevinAnderson,who workasliaisonofficersforBrainInjuryNorthland, theroleisbothchallengingandrewarding.

Theorganisationsupportsalltypesofbrain injuries,fromtrauma,includingcrashesand

assaults,andacquired,whichincludestumours, stroke,encephalitisandmanymore.

Braininjuriesareknownastheinvisibleinjury andthesilentepidemicduetothefactthat thereisaninjuryevery15minutes,Vikkisays

“PeoplethinkthepersonlooksOKbutthey arenot

“Theirfriendsandfamilyoftensay,‘thisis notthesameperson’or‘thisisnottheperson Imarried’.Thisiswhywealsosupportthe families,friendsandworkcolleaguesonthis oftenrollercoasterjourney,’’shesays.

Familiesandspouseshavetoadjustto livingwithsomeonewhomaynotresemble thepersontheymarried.Itcanbeahuge straindealingwithchangesinpersonality, extremefatigue,shorttempers,memoryloss anddepression,lossofworkandtheirrolein theworldtheyknewbeforetheirinjury.

TheBrainInjuryAssociationprovidesa safe,barrier-freeservicetosupportandassist peopleinnavigatingthepathtorecoveryfrom aninjury.

“Everyoneisaffectedindifferentways andrecoverycantakemanymonthsand sometimesyears.Nobodygets‘discharged’ Wearehereforthelonghaul,clientscome andgo,sometimesreturningafteryearsjust toreconnect.’’

Therearefoursupportgroupsamonthin Kerikeri,Dargaville,KaitaiaandWhangarei.

Theassociationsupportsclientstoattend appointmentsandliaisewiththeservices theyrequire.Itisalsoinvolvedwithinjury preventionandsafetyeducation.

Contactdetails:

Address98CairnfieldRoad, Whangarei

PostalPoBox4001,Kamo

Phone094595013

Emailnorthland@brain-injury.org.nz Webwww.brain-injury.org.nz

North District Office: 16 Commerce Street, Kaitaia Tel: 09 408 2997 •ageconcernkta@xtra.co.nz Whangarei District Office: 98 Cairnfield Road, Otangarei Tel: 09 459 1928 or 027 598 5376 Kaipara District Office: 61 Victoria Street, Dargaville Tel: 027 598 5376

Vikki Herdman –3rd from left

Promoting Abilities VeroniqueTheberge

Mybraininjurywasacquiredfollowing abraininfectioncalledviral MeningoencephalitisinAugust2017. Theinfectionhadtheeffectofdestroying neuronsandneuropathwayswhichresulted inanAcquiredBraininjury(ABI).Sincethen, lifeasitwashasbeenflippedinsideout.Iam operatingwithanewnormalanda“newme”

Tothisday,Istillhavetoplanandmanage mysituationdailyandadheretostrictfatigue managementpracticestoavoidhavingmybrain batteriesdroppingtoolowandtriggeringan avalancheofweirdandnotsowonderfulthings. Neurofatigue,allaspectsofcognition,balance, vision,sensoryoverload,coordination,mental healthandgeneralstaminahaveallbeenaffected bytheABI.

I’vealwaysbeenanactivepersonandkeen topushthelimitsofwhatmybodyandmind couldachieve.Ithinkthat’swhyI’vealwaysloved Endurancesport.WithEndurancesport,success comesthroughstayingfocused,pushingthrough andfindingthementalstrengththatyoudidn’t thinkyouhadinyoutocompleteachallenge LittledidIknowthatallthoseyearsofrunning, cyclingandswimmingwouldeventuallyserve anotherpurpose,thatthoseskillswouldpayoff inotherwayslateroninmylife.

FollowingmyABI,Iwasverykeento reintroduceexerciseintothemix,apieceofthe oldmewithinthe“newme”.I’mnotgoingto liethough,reintroducingexerciseintomydaily routinehasn’tbeeneasy.See,foralongwhile, walkingtothedairyandbackwasasmuchasI couldhandle

Mypastsportingachievementsseemso outofreach.However,therecameapoint whereImadetheconsciousdecisiontostop givingencephalitisandABIsomuchpower overwhatIcouldandcouldn’tdo.Ifeltitwas timetogivethe“newme”morecreditand tobelieveinmyselfoncemore.That’swhen Isetmyselfthechallengetopartakeinanall womenadventurerace.IcompletedwhatI thoughtwasimpossible4timesnowandthis year,Ijoinedadventureracingtofundraise formoreawarenessofencephalitisandABI.I successfullyreachedouttoavarietyofmedia andwasabletosharesomeinsightofwhat livingwithabraininjuryislike.

Overthepast2years,Ihavealsostartedablog inwhichIsharemyjourneyofABIrecovery. Thereisawidevarietyofsubjectsaddressed onmyWeirdWonderfulBrainblog…including thenotsoglamourousaspectsthatneedtobe factoredinmyeverydayroutine.

Raisingawarenessofthoseissueshas enabledmetolearnmanynewskillsthatI probablywouldn’thavedevelopedotherwise I’vediscoveredthatinspiteofnewlyacquired limitations,Ihavegrowntremendouslyasan individualandthatIamstillcapableofachieving greatthings.Ihavediscoveredanewpath,a newworth,newstrengthandIamveryproud supportingothersfacingsimilarchallenges.

Adventureracing formoreEncephalitis &ABI awareness, Veronique –Centrefront.

CCSDisability Action

CCSDisabilityActionisthelargest pan-disabilitysupportandadvocacy organisationinNewZealand.Wehave along,proudhistoryofworkingin partnershipwithdisabledpeople,families andwhānautoprovidededicatedand flexiblesupportservices.

Aswellascreatingindividuallytailored supports,weworkincommunitiesto identifyandremovebarrierssothatall peoplecanleadpositiveandconnected lives.Wealsoadvocateforlocaland nationalpoliciesthatensurethatdisabled people’srightsareupheld.

Whatweoffer

Ourmodelisbasedonputtingpeoplefirst andfindingwaystosupportthechoicesthey wanttomakeandthelivesthattheywantfor themselves.

AtCCSDisabilityAction,webelievethatall peoplehavetherighttobeincludedintheir communitiesandenjoythesamerightsand opportunitiesthateveryNewZealander mightexpect.

Theseservicesinclude:

•Arangeofrespiteoptionsdesignedto provideabreakforfamiliesandapositive andrewardingexperienceforyourchild.

•CommunitySupportCoordinatorswho provideadvocacyandsupporttoremove anybarrierstoaccessingthequality educationofyourchoice.

•Adedicatedyouthteamwhocan offertailoredsupportwitheducation, employmentandcanconnectyouwith friends,youthgroupsandyourcommunity

•Supporttoaccesspaidandsustainable employmentbyprovidingindividualised supportforpotentialemployeesand employers.

•Ongoingvocationalsupportservicetoassist disabledpeopletoparticipateintraining, workorcommunityactivities.

•Providingongoingsupport,informationand optionsforyoungpeoplepreparingtoleave schoolforfurtherstudyoremployment

•Workinginpartnershipwithdisabledpeople tosupportthemtoleadindependentlives.

Weprovidecommunity-basedsupportand supportpeopletotransitionfromresidential careintotheirownhome.

•AKarangaMahagroupwhosupportpeople ofMāoriandPacificIslanddescentto engagewiththeirownculturalidentitiesand developpersonalleadership

•Administeringthemobilityparkingservice inNorthland,supportingpeopletoparkin accessiblespacesinthecommunity

(09)4371899

080002272255

EmailNorthland@ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz

Webwww.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz

89.2FM 729AM

Promoting Abilities

Aaron Ussher

AaronUssherandhisCCSDisability

ActionCoordinatorTaniaBissettmake anexcellentteam.

Bothhavelivedexperienceofdisability,and, asTaniaexplains,shegetsalotoutoftheir timetogether

“Hehastaughtmesomuchabouthow wearetheexpertsinourownlives.Thatitis essentialtobeconfidentinyourselfandyour choices,”shesays

Aaronis22andlivesinAwanui,inthefar northofNewZealand.Aaronisfriendly,kind andfunnybutwiththereoccurringCOVID-19 rahui,foundithardtotrynewthings.Aaronis nowsettinganew,moreadventurouscourse forhislife.

“Ihavewatchedhimgrowfrombeing reluctanttotryanythingnew,tonowdirecting meonhowthingswillbe.”

Arecenthighlightwasthe‘RuakakaSurf Day’eventrunbyTiahoTrust,whichTania suggestedhemightliketoattend

Aaroninitiallyworkedasavolunteer, handingoutrashtopstootherparticipants. Thiswasimportantworkasthetopswere donatedsoAarontookthisresponsibilityvery seriously.Eventually,hedecidedhedidn’twant tomissoutontheactionandaskedifTania –whohadtravelledtotheeventfortheday –couldtakehim.(Thepairnotethatthiswas thefirstyearintheevent’shistorythatallshirts werereturned,too!).

“Iwentoutinthebeachwheelchairwith mum.Atfirst,Iwasn’ttoosure,butitwastoo latetoturnbackastheywerepushingme

towardsthewater!Thelifeguard,Shazfrom ParafedNorthland,andmymumhelpedmeto giveitago.Iendeduphavingheapsoffun.”

HeappreciateshavingTaniabyhisside whenheneedsher.“EvenifTaniahasnever donethingsbefore,shewillgiveitagowith meifIsayI’mkeen–evenifit’sscaryforboth ofus!Taniatreatsmelikeeveryoneelse.We jokealot.Becausesheusesawheelchair,that helpsmefeelokaybecauseIdon’talways

havetoexplainwhyIfeelacertainway.”

“Idon’tseeanychallengesinmylife.IfI don’twanttodosomething,itdoesn’tmeanI can’tdoit.Ijustmaybedon’tfeellikeit.AndI knowthat’smychoice,soit’sokay.”hesays.

Tania and Aaron

Deaf Aotearoa

DeafAotearoaistheDisabledPersons’ Organisationrepresentingthevoiceof Deafpeople,andthenationalservice providerforDeafpeopleinNewZealand.Itis alsotheNewZealand-representativemember organisationoftheWorldFederationoftheDeaf

DeafAotearoa’sservicesareavailablefrom13 officesnationwide,includingNorthland.These servicesinclude:

FirstSigns

Connectingfamilieswhohaveadeaforhard ofhearingchildaged0-5,withNewZealand SignLanguage,theDeafcommunityand Deafculture.

Youth

EngagingwithDeafyouthandpromoting positiveDeafidentityandleadershipinyoung Deafpeople.

Hauora

Aservicefocusedonimprovinglivesand supportingindependence,including coordinatingaccesstootherservicesand assistivetechnology.

Employment

Aspecialistemploymentservicefordeafand hardofhearingpeople,offeringatransition serviceforschoolleavers,pre-employment support,job-seeking,andsupporting employersofDeafstaff

NZSLPromotion

Promoting Abilities

ThisincludesAdultCommunityEducation fortheDeafcommunity,tailoredDeaf AwarenessandNZSLcoursesforbusinesses andorganisations.NZSLisalsoparticularly promotedduringNewZealandSign LanguageWeek

NZSLWeek

NewZealandSignLanguageWeekisheld eachyearinMay.Thisyearitisbeingheld fromMonday,10thMaytoSunday16thMay 2021.Tasterclassesareavailabletoregisterfor organisations,businessesandschools.Keep aneyeoutforourNZSLWeekHeroes!

iSign

iSignisanationwideNewZealandSign Languageinterpreterbookingservice.

DeafAotearoaalsoworkstoadvocateforthe Deafcommunity,engagingwithgovernment departmentsandotheragenciestoimprove accessforDeafpeople.

DeafAotearoa

Address1ADeveronStreet,Whangarei

Phone4372022,Glennis021641178

Webwww.deaf.org.nz

Emailhello@deaf.org.nz

OpenMondaytoThursday9am-4pmandFridaybyappointment

TAKE TIME OUT TO elicious Cakes •Paintings •Glass Works culptures •Ceramics •Gift Vouchers Gift Vouchers available forthe Café &Gallery 1392 OldRussell Rd, Hikurangi

Phone/Fax: Gallery 09 433 9616 or Café 09 433 9934 www.galleryhelenabay.co.nz www.facebook/galleryhelenabay Open 7days from 10am

Promoting Abilities

Sweetie

MynameisSweetie,Iamahearing impairedpersonwhohasovercome languagebarrierswhilelivinginNew Zealand,learningEnglishandNZSL.

ImovedtoNewZealandfromtheMarshall Islandsafewyearsagoandreallylovelivinghere.

IhavefamilyinmainlandAmerica,Guam, MarshallIslandsandHawaii.

WhenImovedtoNewZealandIknew Americansignlanguagewhichisquitedifferent toNZSL,IworkedhardtolearnNZSLandI’m gladthatIdid.Ienjoycommunicatingand connectingwithpeopleandfindpeopleare alwayshappytolearndifferentsignsandIam happytoteachthem

Iamaveryindependentperson.Imoved intoarefurbishedflatlastyearwhichIreally enjoy.Ihavegreatneighboursandfriendswho Isocialiseandmeetwithonaregularbasis, weenjoyhavingagoodlaughandhavemany similarinterests.Ihavemetsomegreatpeople sincelivinginNewZealandandknowthatIwill continuetodoso.

Ihavemademanylifelongfriendswithin thedeafcommunity,wehaveregularoutings andsocialeventsandIalwayslookforwardto theseoccasionsandattendthemregularly

Idovolunteerworkatvariousplacesin Northland,theseincludeMatakoheLimestone

Island,Igototheislandonamonthlybasis supportingtherestorationprocessonthe island.IdogardeningatNorthHavenHospice GardensandMountainstoSeaConservation TrustwhereIgatherseedsintheNorthland area,plantthemandwatchthemgrow.This isallveryrewardingworkandIloveworking withthewiderangeofpeoplethatImeetinthe community.Ihavelearntmanyskillsandmade manyfriendshipsandconnectionswhichis reallyimportanttome.

IhavehadtheprivilegetoteachapersonI workwithatMountainstoSeaConservation Trustbasicsignlanguage,shewentontodoan 8weeksignlanguageclassandIreallyenjoy

mmunicatingwithher.She skypesmeregularlysowecan haveachatandalaughorif thereissomethingonthenews thinksIneedtoknowabout

Technologyhasplayed importantpartinmylife.Iamableto mmunicatewithfamilyandfriendswherever ymaybe,Iamabletocallaninterpreter whocanrelayformewhileIamworkingor needtocommunicatewithanyoneinthe mmunity

IhaveappsonmyphoneandmyIpadthat eeasytounderstandsoIcandomybanking, emailingandvariousotherthings.Ihave subtitlesonmytelevisionsoduringtheCovid pandemiclastyear,Iwasabletounderstand whatwashappeninginourcommunityandthe rulesIneededtofollow

MyinterpreterfromDeafAotearoaandmy coordinatorfromCCSDisabilityActionmade regularcontactduringthistimebyskypeand theNewZealandVideoInterpretingServiceso Ialwayshadupdatedinformation.Withoutthis communicationIwouldhavebeenveryisolated.

Technologyhasenabledmetokeepin regularcontactwithmyfamilyintheMarshall IslandsandmydaughterinNewZealand,we dothisbyskypeandemail,withouttechnology itwouldbeverydifficult.Itisveryimportantfor metokeepincontactwithfamilyandfriends andtocontinuetomakeconnections.

Iloveliving inNorthland,enjoyingwhat thisgreatplacehastoofferandmeeting newpeople.

How does it work?

iSign interpretingservices areprovided in every setting, including:

• health

• disability support services

• governmentagencies, eg: Work &Income,ACC

• schools

• legalappointments

• work places

• conferences

• socialevents, eg: family reunions, churches, funerals, tangi and weddings.

NorthlandDownSyndrome SupportGroup Charitable Trust

AdiagnosisofDownsyndrome-whether duringpregnancyorbirth-canbea shock.Weareavailabletochatifyou havehadarecentdiagnosis.Wearenonjudgmental,supportivelisteners.

Long-timevolunteerKathySadgrovesays Downsyndromecansometimescomewith extrachallengesthatparentsmightnotbe expecting.Around40percentofbabieswith Downsyndromearebornwithsomeform ofheartconditionthatrangefrommildto severe.Thankfullythingshavechanged considerablyforthebettersinceherson hadhisoperation27yearsago.Wecanhelp parentsbegintounderstandtheimplications thathavingachildwithDownsyndromemay havefortheirfamilyandtoconnectthemwith otherfamiliesiftheywish.

Thesupportgroupusesarangeof differentmediatokeepintouch,andits NorthlandDownSyndromeSupportGroup Facebookpageisagoodwayforparents toconnectwitheachother,aswellas beingavaluableresourcewithuptodate informationonDownsyndrome.

OurGreatM8ssocialgroupforyoungadults meetsfortnightlyforsocialoutingssuchasTen Pinbowling,minigolf,dinners,artsandcrafts andgamesnights.

Monthlygymsessionsheldatthe WhangareiAcademyofGymnasticsarealso popularforallfamilymembersofpeople withDownsyndrome.Thechildrenandtheir siblingsenjoytheactivitiesandtheparents enjoythesocialnetworkingopportunitiesand sharingsuccesses.

TheNDSGTaimstosupportECEcentres, schools,andtrainingcentres/tertiarycolleges workingwithlearnerswithDownsyndrome. Weprovideprofessionaldevelopmentdays, learningprogrammestailoredtoastudent’s needsandnetworkingopportunitiestoshare ideasandgoodpracticewithotherteachers.

Wealsohaveawiderangeofeducational books,readingprogrammesandnumeracy resourcestoloan.

Animportantroleforthesupportgroupis topromoteandadvocateforpositiveattitudes inthewidercommunity,topromotetherights andinclusionofpeoplewithDownsyndrome andtoraisepublicawareness.

Arecentfunwalk,theLotsofRocksLoop Walk,washeldtocelebrateWorldDown SyndromeDayonMarch21.Around250 families,supportersandcommunitymembers cametogether,dressedinourcoloursofpurple andorange,tocelebrateandwalktheHatea Loop.Childrenhadfunplacingdecoratedrocks whiletheywalkedaroundtheLoop

Generalenquiries02108143744

Emailksadgrove@xtra.co.nz

Schoolsenquiries02108224584

EmailNorthlandDSSG@gmail.com

Webwww.NorthlandDSSG.org

FacebookNorthlandDownSyndrome SupportGroup

Kathy Sadgrove&JoMorrison

Promoting Abilities

Miranda Shackell &Taonga

MirandaShackell,ofTikipunga, Whangarei,isbusy.Shehasthreeboys agedbetweenthreeandseven.Add DownSyndromeintothemixwithheryoungest son,Taonga,andlifecanbeprettycrazy

Taongaisturningfoursoonandhasonlyjust startedwalking.Butifhegetsapeninhishand, noleg,wallorpieceoffurnitureissafe.

“Helovesdrawing,books,thealphabetand especiallymusic.Musicishislife,’’shesays.

TheKamoHighSchoolspecialneeds co-ordinatorandteacherhasbeentrying desperatelytojuggleherworkaswellasthe needsofherfamily

“WithTaongaIdogetcarersupporthours.

I’vebeenusingtherespitehourstocookthe onedecentmealforthefamilyintheweekand tryandcatchupwitheverythinginthehouse.’’ MirandasaystheNorthlandDownSyndrome SupportGrouptrustmeetingsarevaluableas memberscansharetheircommonexperience.

Anotherhighlightisthemonthlygymnastics daysattheWhangareiAcademyofGymnastics centre.

“Thekidsgettojumpallovertheplace withtheircrazysiblingsandhaveagreatold time.Butfortheparentsitisanimportant socialoutingandachancetomakereal lifeconnections.Wecelebrateeachother’s successes. ’’

Zarn Reichardt andRylan

Runningamarathonafterlosing55kgwas ahugeachievementforZarnReichardt ofKaitaia.Butitwasworththeeffortto raisefundsformusictherapytobenefithis two-year-oldsonRylan.

ZarnhadbeentrainingfortheQueenstown marathonbutthiswascancelleddueto Covid-19travelrestrictionssoinsteadheran fromKaitaiatoPukenui,asimilardistance.“I’m notarunnersothelastfewkilometreswere reallyhard.’’

The$16,442raisedhasbeenusedtoset

up“Rylan’sMusicMates”musictherapy scholarshipaspartoftheRaukatauriMusic TherapyCentre,whichisnowofferingoutreach servicestoNorthland.

“Rylanjustlovesit.Helovesmakingnoise,’’ Zarnsays.

Rylanattendsdaycarethreedaysaweek andvisitsaspeechtherapisteverycoupleof months.ForZarnandhiswifeMichelle,Rylanis nowabusyboywhomovesaroundquicklyand isprovingtobeabitofanescapeartist.“Healso loveswaterandwillsitinapoolforhours.’’

Asamumitisimportantfor metoknowmychildrenaresafe andhappy.Wearetrulyblessedto havethe loveandsupportfromKind HandsforouryoungestsonShelby, andtosupportthemIdonatea portionofeachsaleIdotothe

Zarn (father) &Rylan Reichardt

Epilepsy SupportGroup

PromotingAbilities?Sowhatdoesthis meanforthepersonwithdiagnosed Epilepsy.Whensuddenlydailyroutines areshatteredwithanincreaseinseizuresand overwhelmingfeelingsofnotbeingabletocope.

CopingwithEpilepsyisdifferentfor everyone.Havinganincreaseinseizuresand takinganti-seizuremedicationcanaffecthow peoplethink,feelandtheirabilitytocopewith theeffectsoftheirEpilepsy.

Livingwellcanbearealisticgoalformany peoplelivingwithEpilepsy,howeverthe journeyisnotwithoutitschallenges.

Epilepsycanimpactontangata/whanauin differentways.Everyoneisinittogether,yet everyoneexperiencesitdifferently.Whanau mayexperiencearangeofemotionsTheymay feelangrythatalovedonehasbeendiagnosed andtheirliveshavechangedorscaredandbe overprotective,notallowingthepersonwith Epilepsytohaveindependenceandspace. AsaresultthepersonwithEpilepsymayfeel theyareaburdentotheirwhanauandpull away.Rememberwearealldifferentweallsee theworldthroughadifferentlens.Thatlens isshapedbyoursituation,ourupbringing, culture,beliefsandlifestyleexperiences.

Thefirststepistorealizethatpeoplewill respondorreactdifferently.Whenreactions aren’taddressedortalkedabout,relationships canbestrained.

SamMorgan,EpilepsyEducatorofEpilepsy NZ,alwaysencourageshomevisitswith tangata/whanau.Promotingeducationand awarenessonnotonlytheDiagnosisand Managementbuttheimpactonsignificant relationshipsandissuesaffectinglifestyleis importanttoourorganisation.

Oneofthemostimportantareastoaddress istoImprovetheQualityofLifethatisOptimum SeizureControl.Thiscanmeangettinga balanceoftheAnticonvulsantprescribed anditssideeffects.Theaimbeingalwaysto optimizeSeizureControlandminimizetheside effects.Inaddition,addressinglifestyletriggers ofpotentialseizuresi.ediet,exercise,sleep allowsforthepersontoaddressanyissuesand changesthatneedtobemade

Sammaximizesopportunitiestopromote awareness,provideeducationandresources byprovidingProfessionalDevelopmentStaff Training,toemployers,schools,servicesaswell ascommunitytalks.

Onethingwearecertainofisthatplanning iseverything.Themorepreparedyouarethe lessoverwhelmedyoufindyourselfonthe journey.Identifyandbecomeawareofone’s ownstrengthsandweaknesses.Whatyoudo well.Whatyoudon’tdosowell.

Determiningyourownneeds,abilitiesand limitationswillhelpyousetrealisticgoals resultinginsignsofresilienceandwellbeing. Insettingyourgoalsstartsmall(believein whyyouaretryingtomakeachange.)Turnoff thenegativevoicesandstaypositive,setclear achievablegoals.Makesmallactionplansto achievethosegoals.Trackyourprogresssoyou makechangesanddon’tforgettocelebrate yourachievements.

ForthepersonwithEpilepsyseizurescanbe sociallyisolating.Thereisoftenafearofhaving aseizureinpublic.Dealingwithdailychallenges ofEpilepsycanbeexhaustingleavingonewith littletimeandenergyforwhanauandfriends. Sometimesthefeelingscanbeoverwhelming andaffectallaspectsofaperson’slife. ContactDetails

Workingcollaborativelywithother ServicesinpromotingEpilepsyAwareness withineachregionofTaiTokerauis importantinbuildingconfidencewithin Tangata/Whanau.Knowingtherearepeople outinthewidercommunitywhounderstand thewayyoufeelcanreallyhelptogeta perspectiveontheproblemsfaced.

AddressLeveloneupstairs CivicArcade,37BankStreet,Whangarei

Phone(09)4385498

Freephone0800374537

Hours8.30am–4.30pmMonday-Friday

Emailnorthland@epilepsy.org.nz Webwww.epilepsy.org.nz

FRIDAYAUGUST 20th, 2021

9:30am -4:00pm, gold coin entry FORUM NORTH, WHANGAREI

✓ Senior &Disability Services Information

✓ Disability Equipment

✓ Employment Focus

✓ Employer Awards

✓ Community Groups

✓ Live Entertainment

✓ Smorgasbordofover 50 stalls

✓ Mobility Permit Parking

For moreorphone 09 430-3406 info email info@tiaho.org.nz

Promoting Abilities We areaTeam -PenelopeFranklyn

ItouchedbasewithSamfrom NorthlandEpilepsyNZandwasmet with“youinspireme,youhaveastory totell!”,sohereismystory:

What’syourname?Whereareyou?

Twosimplequestionsoftenansweredwith littleornothought,butformesodifficult.The poundingheadacheIalreadyhaveworsensas Istruggletofindananswer.Ahhh!.waitIknow, I’mPennyFranklyn,Presidentoftheworld andIliveonMagicStreet.Ok,soIhavegiven youmyname,butIhavenottoldyouwhereI am.No!IhavenottakendrugsandNo!I’mnot drunk!Thisispartofanactualconversation thathastakenplaceafteroneofmymany seizures.

Myfirstseizurewasatsixmonthsold,a tonic-clonicseizure.Theseizurescontinued throughoutmychildhoodandintomyteenage yearswhereIbegantohaveregulartonicclonicseizures.Theroutineismuchthesame today.Igotobedandwithinhalfanhourof goingtosleepIhaveaseizure.Itisnotunusual tobestiffandsorethefollowingdayortobite mytonguebadlyorthrowmyselfoutofbed. LikesomanypeopleIhavetrailedanumber ofmedications.IttookmultipletrialsbeforeI foundonethatwassuitableforme.

Inmymid20sIfinallyachievedwhatI thoughtwasunachievable,Iwent12months withouthavingaseizureandwasallowedto getmydriver’slicense!!!

InNovember2017IhadaLeftTemporal

Lobectomy.InSimpletermstheyremoved thepartofmybrainwheretheseizureswere comingfromandIwasadvisedofa2/3rd chanceofbecomingseizurefree.

For3monthsIfeltgreatIwasseizureFree! Thiswashowevershortlived,theseizures returnedalthoughlesssevereandless frequent.Todescribemyseizures,theyarenot thestereotypicalseizureonemaythinkof.You maynotseemedroptothefloorandshake.I experiencearangeofseizures.Tootherswho knowmeitcanlooklikethelightsareonand noone’shome.AttimesImayappeartobe ignoringyoubutinmyheadIamanswering youandgettingfrustratedthatyoucan’thear

me.IcanrepeatwhatI’msayingthenrealise thathalfwaythroughIhaveadilemmagoing oninmyheaddoIfinishthesentenceor stopasIamrepeatingmyself?Iexperience tonic-clonicseizures,asoftenportrayedinTV movieswithlossofconsciousnessandjerking movementsandIalsoexperienceaseizure whereIloseawarenessandwander.Itmaybe thatIleavearoomandgotoanother.Ican wanderfromonesideofWhangareiCBDand gettotheothersidewithnoideahowIgot there,Scary.

Alloftheseexperienceshaveledmetoapply foranEpilepsyAssistDog.Iwasdelightedto findoutjustbeforetheCOVIDlockdownthat IwasanidealcandidatetohaveanEpilepsy Dog,Stanleyatthetime,wasintrainingasa guidedogfortheblindhoweverthiswasnot hiscalling.Christmas2020cameearlywhen IwastoldStanleyhadbecomeavailable.He iswithme24/7althoughnotyetfullytrained. Hehasalreadybeenwithmeduringmybigger seizuresandguardedmewhenIhadtogoto WaikatoEDorwhenstayingwithmyparents.

Ihavebeenblessedtogethimandweare oftenintowndoingourthing.OnceStanley isfullytrainedhewillbeabletostopmefrom walkingintotrafficduringoneofmywandering seizuresandshouldIhaveaTonicseizurehe willbeabletoliebesideme.Ifyouseeusabout, StanleyisthecuteblackLabradorwearinga purplecoat.PleaseaskbeforepettingStanleyas heisworkingwhenhehasthecoaton.

IamnolongerPennyFranklyn,President oftheworldStanleyandIareateam.Iamso gratefultotheEpilepsyAssistDogsTrustwho providedStanleytome.

HeisthefirstinWhangarei.WhereeverIgo Stanleycomeswithme.

Huntington’sDisease Association

TheHuntington’sDiseaseAssociation (Auckland)Inciscurrentlyworkingwith 900+peoplelivingwithsymptoms,orat riskofdevelopingsymptoms,ofHuntington’s DiseaseintheAucklandandNorthlandregions Withthehardworkanddedicationofthe Manager,JoDysartandCheeneeMandawe (Supportworker),theysupportthecarers,family members,GP’s,medicalspecialistsandother agenciestosupportpeoplewithHuntington’s.

HDCommunityConnectors

OurprofessionalstaffareHuntington’s Disease(HD)specialistswhohelpfamiliesand professionalsrespondtotheuniquechallenges ofHD.TheclientsoftheIndividualandFamily Servicesprogrammearethepersonliving withHD,theircaregiversandfamilymembers includingpeopleatrisk

SupportService

Thestaffprovideserviceswhichinclude:

•Assessingpeople’sneedsthroughoneto oneconsultation’s

•EducatingclientsaboutHD

•Givinginformationaboutcommunity services

•Findingsourcesofsupport

•Facilitatingappropriatereferralsandthen followingup.

Theservicecaninvolvesettinggoalswith theclients,strategizingandsolutionfocused

problemsolving,eitherworkingindividually withclientsoringroups.

WhatisHuntington’sdisease?

Huntington’sdiseaseisahereditary neurodegenerativedisordercausedbyand expunctionintheIT-15,orHuntington’sgeneon chromosome4.Eachchildofanaffectedparent hasa50%chanceofdevelopingthedisease. MostpeoplewithHDdevelopsymptomsin theirfortiesandfiftiesalthougharound10%of patientshaveonsetofsymptomsbeforeage20 and10%haveonsetafterage60.

WhoGetsIt?

Huntington’sisageneticdisorder.About sixinevery100,000peoplehasHD.Itisnot discriminativecanaffectbothsexesandany race.Primarily,HDaffectsadults.Symptoms usuallyappearbetweentheagesof35and 45butthereisJuvenileHDwhichappearsin childrenandlateonsetHDinadultsintheir60’s.

WhataretheSymptoms?

Therearethreemaintypesofsymptomsin Huntington’sdisease:physicalsymptoms includinginvoluntarymovementsand diminishedcoordination;emotional symptomsincludingdepression,irritability andobsessiveness;andcognitivesymptoms, includinglossofabilitytorecallinformation,loss ofattentionanddifficultywithdecisionmaking

Liaison

Weareprivilegedtoworkalongsideclinical expertsandDHB’sofferingamulti-disciplinary teamapproachtotheindividualsandfamily/ whanauaffectedbyHD.Alongwiththiswehave tightlinkswiththeAucklandUniversityCentre forBrainResearchandourPatronSirRichard Faull.Wethereforehaveongoingupdateson clinicalresearchandresearchtohelpdevelop treatmentsandoneday,acure.

ContactDetails

AddressPOBox1618,Sandringham Auckland1351

Phone098159703

Mobile0274328255

Emailhuntingtonsakld@xtra.co.nz Webhdauckland.org

Jo Dysart &Cheenee Mandawe

Promoting Abilities HooryahAsif

Personalexperiencewith Huntington’sdiseasehasinfluenced HooryahAsifinwaysshenever couldhaveimagined.

The22-year-oldhasdedicatedher researchtomakinglifebetterforpeople withlong-termdisabilities.

StudyingaMastersDegreeinCreative TechnologythroughtheAuckland UniversityofTechnology,Hooryahhas dedicatedherresearchintohealthcare environmentsandhowtheseimpactthe individual.

It’sanareaofresearchsheneverwould haveconsideredifnotforherimmediate familymembers’experience.

Hooryah,whosefamilyisfromPakistan, cametoNewZealandwhenshewasfour. Huntington’sdiseaseisaninherited braindisorderthatresultsinimpairment ofbothmentalcapabilityandphysical control.

Itaffectsmovement,causingdifficulty withbalance,walkingandspeech; cognitivedeteriorationcausesdifficulty performingeverydaytasksandpsychiatric effectscanincludedepressionandacting outofcharacter.

MostpeoplewithHDdevelop symptomsintheir30sor40s.Onaverage patientslivefor10to30yearsafterthe initialappearanceofsymptoms.

Herresearchislookingathowhealthcare spacescanbemadetobehappier environmentsforpeoplewithlongterm disabilities.

Sheiscollectingthethoughtsofworkers, volunteersandpeoplewhoarepartofthe healthcarecommunity

“Theirvoicesareahugepartofthis,’’she says.

“Therearenotenoughinnovatively designedspacestomakeasignificant differenceintheseindividuals’lives.

“I’mcreatingdream-likedesignsand possiblesolutionsaftercollectingthe thoughtsofalotofpeople.I’mlookingat creatingdifferentatmospheresthatcan improvepsychologicalwellbeingand providehealingenvironments.

“Lightingandcolourarehugefactorsas wellasmusicandambientsounds.Itwill alsobegoodtobringinnaturalelements fromoutsidetotheindoors,becauseitis aboutmovingtowardsamorehumanised future,’’shesays.

Whenshegetstothedevelopmentstage, shehopestocreateanexperiencethrough virtualreality,anemergingtechnology.

“It’snotjustabouthavingthesecreative ideas,butaboutbringingtheseconcepts tolife.’’

“Everythinghasledmetothisproject,’’ Hooryahsays

Cairnfield House is arest home and hospital that specializes in hospital carefor our residents. We offer superior careinour very popular and reputable facility and have qualified nursing staffonhand 24/7.

In addition to our single rooms, we have double rooms available for those who do not wish to be separated from their loved ones. Even if you requiredifferent levels of care, we can accommodate you both so you can continue to be together

We offer spacious, sunny and relaxing rooms ready for you to make them your own to ensureyou feel right at home. Make new friends and join in the activities that areonoffer for you to enjoy

WHERE QUALITY ANDLOVINGCAREISASSURED

Lesley Middleton /Facility Manager

Email: lhauraki@cairnfield.co.nz

52-60 Jack Street, PO Box 1478, Whangarei 0140

www.cairnfield.co.nz |www.facebook.com/Cairnfieldhouse/

Muscular Dystrophy

AboutUs

TheMuscularDystrophyAssociationofNew ZealandInc.(MDANZ)beganinthelate1950’s asasupportgroupforfamiliesaffectedby musculardystrophy.Sincethen,MDANZhas broadeneditsscopetoincludemanyother neuromuscularconditions.

Wehavefourregionalbranches-Northern, Central,CanterburyandSouthern-that aresupportedbythenationalofficebased inAuckland.MDANZsupportsindividuals, familiesandwhānaubyprovidingspecialist information,practicalresources,personalised supportandFieldworkerservices,social networks,campaignsforpublicawareness andadvocacy.Andthrough

ourresearchtrust,weworktoimprovecare standardsandfacilitateaccesstopotential treatmentsforneuromuscularconditions.

Ourorganisationisaregisteredcharityand werelyalmostentirelyonvoluntarydonations fromthegeneralpublic,trustsandother businesses/organisationstocontinueourwork

WhatareNeuromuscularConditions?

Neuromuscularconditionisabroadumbrella termthatdescribesavarietyofmuscle disorders. TheconditionscoveredbyMDANZ arerareandmostlygenetic. Progressive musclewastingleadstolossofmobilityand independence,andthereareoftenmajor impactsonorgansystems,whichcanresultin earlylossoflife.Symptomscanappearatbirth orforothersnotuntilmuchlaterinlife. These conditionscanbeunpredictableandthereare limitedtreatmentoptions.

FieldworkService

Ourfieldworkersworkinthecommunity toprovidepersonalisedsupport andeducation,intheareaof rareneuromuscular conditionscovered byMDANZ

Personalisedsupportmayincludesupporting throughdiagnosis,walkingalongsideduring timesofgriefandchange,offeringinformation andadviceaboutconditions,facilitating serviceaccessthroughreferralsoradvocacy,or reducingisolationbylinkingpeopletoothers withsharedexperience.

Communityeducationmayincludetalking withteachers,healthprofessionalsordisability supportstafftoimprovetheirunderstandingof progressiveneuromuscularconditions,which enablesthemtoprovideevenbetterservices andsupportsforourmembers.

Emailinfo@mda.org.nz

Websitewww.mda.org.nz

Facebookwww.facebook.com/ MDANationalOffice NorthernBranchContact Phone0800636787or094155682

HoursMon-Friday9am-5.30pm Emailsupport@mdn.org.nz

•Scooters •Mobility aids

•Bathroom aids •Competitive pricing

For allyourMobility & Daily LivingAid Requirements

84D KerikeriRoad, Kerikeri Acrossfromthe trade entrance of Bunnings Ph: 09 4076701 or 027 4468545 email: kerimobility@yahoo.co.nz www.kerimobility.co.nz

Promoting Abilities

It’s really theonlything

JessicaBarnes’childhasadisability thatissorarethatheistheonlyone inNewZealandandoneofonly29 diagnosedintheworld

Herfour-year-oldson,Eli,hasMuscular Dystrophy,inaformcalledCongenital Myopathy

ForJessicaandherhusbandGrayson, thediagnosisoftheirfloppybabycameas an“absoluteshock”.

Musculardystrophyisagroupof inheriteddiseasesthatdamageand weakenmusclesovertime.Mostforms begininchildhoodandareduetoa lackofaproteinthatisnecessaryfor normalmusclefunction.Theabsence ofthisproteincancauseproblemswith walking,swallowingandmusclecoordination.

Jessicachangedhercareertorealestate tohavemoreflexibilitytobeabletocare moreregularlyforEli,whoisoftensick becausehisimmunityislow

Shesaidshehitthejackpotwiththe daycarecentre,whichisrunattheKind HandsRespiteCareCottageforchildren inMorningside,Whangarei.“Hewasone ofthefirsttogothereandhelovesit,’’ shesaid

Thecottage,setupbypaediatric outreachnurseSharleneClements,offers aplaceofsafetyforchildrenwithongoing medicalconditions.Staffarehighlytrained indealingwithmedicallyfragilechildren.

“Winterisalwaysascarytime forusasthecommoncoldis alsoarisktoEli .’’

“TheparentsofthechildrenatKind Handssupporteachotheraswell,’’shesaid.

Asarealestateagent,Jessicaiscareful aboutscreeningclientsshemeetsasher sonishighlysusceptibletocoldsandhas troubleclearingphlegm.

“WithCovid-19Ihavebeenevenmore carefulandIpulledmykidsoutofschool straightawayatthetimeoflockdown.

“Winterisalwaysascarytimeforusas thecommoncoldisalsoarisktoEli.’’

Jessicasaidregularphysiotherapyisvital forbuildingmusclestrength.

“It’sreallytheonlythingthatkeepshim fromgoingdownhill.HehasCreatine, asupplementusedbyathletesand bodybuilderstohelpmusclecondition. Heisgettingtoastagewherehecancope betterwithalotofthings,’’shesaid.

TheMuscularDystrophyAssociation keepsaregularcheckonthefamilyand, duringlockdown,sentcarepackageswhich weremuchappreciated.

REAL ESTATE WITH HEART

List with Jess Barnes, arealestate specialist who has your best interest at heart, dedicatedto deliver the bestpossible outcome with your property transaction.

Thank you for yourgenerous support, allowing me to strivetobe thebest in real estate and also beingasuper woman for my family. To be able to pass on your support to morepeople Iwill donate$250 to Muscular Dystrophy NZ for every sale.

MNDNewZealand KiaoraandWelcome

Weareheretohelpandsupportpeople withMotorNeuroneDisease(MND) andthosewhocareforthem.

MNDNewZealandworkswithpeopleliving withMNDtoenablethemtohavethebest qualityoflifepossible.Wehelppeoplewith MNDtoaccessmedicalexpertise,support servicesandequipmentthattheymayneed.

personalisedsupportandadvocacyforpeople withMND.Sallyofferseducation,up-to-date informationandpracticalstrategiesforpeople withMND,theirwhanauandthehealth professionalscaringforthem.

MNDNewZealandistheonlynational organisationfocusedonMND.Weconcentrate onthreekeyactivities;

•Providingcommunityeducationand awareness

•Promote,identifyanddevelopresearch opportunitieswithinNewZealandand internationally.IncludingtheNewZealand MNDRegistry.

MNDNewZealandwelcomesyoursupport bywayofdonations,participationinour fundraisingactivities,increasingawareness andaboveallunderstandingofpeopleliving withMND

TocontacttheNorthlandSupportTeam memberemail;sally.king@mnd.org.nzor call0272028166.

SallyKingMND SupportPerson ruly appreciateit when Iaminvited walk alongside lk fora while. Whakawhetaiki akoe.

hursday

Phone0272028166or092803196

Webwww.mnd.org.nz Fbwww.facebook.com/mndanz Northland:sally.king@mnd.org.nz

MND NZ is proudtobethe official charity partner of Emirates Team NewZealandfor the36th America’s Cup2021.

Promoting Abilities

WhatisMND?

MotorNeuroneDisease(MND)isthe namegiventoagroupofdisorders whichaffectthemotorneurones inthebrainandspinalcordthattellyour muscleswhattodo.WithMND,messages fromthesenervesgraduallystopreaching themuscles,leadingthemtoweaken, stiffenandwaste.

MNDcanaffecthowyoumove,speak, swallowandbreathe.However,MND affectseveryonedifferently.Notall symptomswillaffecteveryone,orinthe sameorder.Symptomsalsoprogressat varyingspeeds,whichmakesthecourse ofthediseasedifficulttopredict.

•MNDisaprogressiveneurological disease.

•TherearedifferenttypesofMND; AmyotrophicLateralSclerosis(ALS), ProgressiveBulbarPalsy(PBP), ProgressiveMuscularAtrophy(PMA), PrimaryLateralSclerosis(PLS)and Kennedy’sDisease(notclassedas MND)butincludedintheconditions supportedbytheMNDAssociation.

•Althoughthereiscurrentlynoknown cureforMND,symptomscanbe managedtohelpachievequalityoflife

•ThenumberofpeoplelivingwithMND atanyonetimeisapproximatelyonein 15,000.InNewZealandapproximately400 peoplearelivingwithMND.

•MNDaffectspeoplefromallcommunities.

•MNDcanaffectadultsatanyagebutmost peoplediagnosedwithMNDareover theageof40,withthehighestincidence occurringbetweentheagesof50and70.

•SlightlymorementhanwomengetMND.

•Aperson’slifetimeriskofdevelopingMND isupto1in300.

•Morethan80%ofpeoplewillhave communicationdifficulties

•About35%ofpeopleexperiencemild cognitivechangewhichmaycause difficultieswithplanning,decision-making andlanguage.

•MNDdoesn’tusuallyaffectthesenses;sight, smell,hearing,touchandtasteremain

•ForeverypersondiagnosedwithMNDit isestimatedthatafurther14membersof theirfamilyandtheirfriendswilllivewith theeffectofMNDforever

WhatCausesMND?

Therearemanytheoriesaboutthe causesofMND.Theseincludeexposure toenvironmentaltoxinsandchemicals, infectionbyviralagents,immunemediateddamage,prematureagingof motorneurons,lossofgrowthfactors requiredtomaintainmotorneuron survivalandgeneticsusceptibility

Scientistsbelievethattherandomly occurringsporadicformofMNDis likelytobecausedbymanysmall contributoryriskfactors,including subtlegeneticandenvironmental influences,thatincombinationmay ‘tipthebalance’towardssomeone developingthedisease.

Researchersworldwidecontinuetotry andfindoutwhatcausesMNDwiththe goalofdiscoveringhowtostop,slow downorpreventthedisease.

Itisnotyetpossibletoprovideadvice onhowtoreducetheriskofdeveloping MND.onhowtoreducetheriskof developingMND

NorthlandMSSociety

NorthlandMultipleSclerosisSocietyoffers awidevarietyofservicestopeople withMS,family/whanaumembers andcarers.TheNorthlandareaextendsfrom Wellsford,coasttocoasttoCapeReinga.

Theserviceprovidesinformation,education andsupport,encouragingaproactive approachtomanagingthisdisease.Ifyouhave MStheSocietyprovidesforyouandyourfamily and/orcarers:

•AMSFieldWorkerwhoisaNZRegistered Nurse.

•Homevisitingservice.Supportand informationtoyouandyourfamilyabout yourconditionorinyourroleasacaregiver

•Educatesyou,yourfamilyandotherhealth professionalsaboutMSandrelateddisorders

•Advocatesforyouwithothersupport agenciesandhealthprofessionalsand informsyouofservicesavailableinthe community

•Provideseducationmaterialandbooks, bothavailablefromtheMSoffice.

•LibraryBookscoveringallaspectsofMSare availabletotakeoutonloan

•Holdsmonthlysupportgroupsforthose withMS.

•OffersafreeweeklyMSexerciseclass

•Bi-monthlynewsletterwhichincludesuseful informationonresearchanddevelopmentof MSandadviceonstayingwell.

WhatisMultipleSclerosis(MS)?

MultipleSclerosisisoneofthemostcommon

diseasesofthecentralnervoussystem.

Afattysubstancecalledthemyelinsheath coversthefibresofthenervoussystem.The myelinprotectsthenervesandhelpsthe messagesmovebetweenthebrainandthe restofthebody

InMS,themyelinsheathcoveringthenerves inthebrainandspinalcordbecomescarredin scatteredpatches.Thisismultiplescarring,or sclerosis.Essentiallythisdistortsorprevents theflowofmessagesfromthebrainandthe spinalcordtootherpartsofthebody

Thedistortionstothemessagestravelling throughthenervoussystemcausearangeof problemsforthepeoplewithMS.

Althoughitisimportanttonotethatthereis notypicalsetofMSsymptoms,thefollowingare common(invaryingcombinationsorseverity):

•Lossofbalanceorcoordination.

•Tremorandweakness.

•Blurredordoublevision,eyepain(usually onlyaffectingone).

•Difficultywithlegs,armsandhand movements.

•Bladderandbowelproblems.

•Numbnessandpain.

•Problemswiththinkingandremembering.

•Fatigue.

WhatCausesMS?

AtthistimethecauseofMSisstillunknown. However,researchsuggestsitislikelytobe acombinationofthefollowing:areaction toavirus,possiblyyearsafterinfection;

exposuretoanunknownenvironmentalagent beforepuberty;anauto-immunereactionin whichthebodyattacksitsowntissueforan unknownreason;orageneticsusceptibilityto theabovetriggers.

HowisMSTreated?

WhileMSstillcannotbecured,muchcanbe donetohelpmanagethecondition.Thereare MS-specifictreatmentsavailable.Thesedirectly targettheimmunesystem.ANeurologist determineswhetherthesearerelevantforeach person.GenerallythepersonwithMSworks withtheirGPonthedaytodaymanagementof thecondition.

AstheOfficeManagerisonlyavailable14 hoursperweek(MondayandTuesdayfrom 9am-2.30pm/Wednesday9amto12pm),an answerphoneisinplacetotakemessages, whicharerespondedtoassoonaspossible. UrgentcontactcanbemadetotheField Workersmobilephone.

ContactDetails: Leveloneupstairs,CivicArcade 37BankStreet,Whangarei0110 Phone/Fax(09)4383945

Mobile0275399883

Emailnthldms@xtra.co.nz

Webwww.msnz.org.nz

FacebookNorthlandMultipleSclerosis Society

Promoting Abilities PromotingAbilities

Definitionof:

Promote: Help forward, move up to ahigherrank or position Encouragesaleof.

Abilities: Competence,power,talent

Toseethespecialtalentthatyouhave alreadyandmoveforwardwithit.What directionyoumovein,isuptoyouand theeffortyouputin.

HiI’mPaulineSowryandin2006was diagnosedwithMultipleSclerosis.Ileft thedoctorsroomswiththatonepieceof information.Iwasnotadvisedtobringa supportpersontotheappointment.Ihad nothingtoreadortakehomewithme.Itwas mydaughtersfirstbirthday,andIwastoget dinneronthewayhome.

WelcometotheuncertaintyofMultiple Sclerosis(MS)!Butitdoesnothavetobethis wayallthetime.

Youcantakecontrolandlookafter yourself.Learnhowtoreadyourbodybetter andtoseethesignsofwhento“chillout” andtakea½stepbacksoyouaremore preparedtoleapforward.

IjoinedtheMSsocietynotlongafterbeing diagnosed,asIneededtochatwiththose whohavethedisease,toseeandhearfor myselfwhatitisliketohaveMSandthenature ofitsprogressioninallforms.Togetsome reassuranceandinformationabouttherecent advancesinresearchandtreatment.Ineeded

realinformation,notjustaninternetsearch. Monthlycasualcoffeemorningsatvarious café’sprovidesuchanoccasion.

Irecentlyattendedaten-pinbowlingouting withtheMSsociety.AlthoughIconsidermyself athleticallynottoobadforsomeonewithMS, Ifeltthebenefitsfromthisoneactivityand realisedthatIneedtoworkonmybalanceand co-ordination.Ohyesandforthosethatare interested,Ididcomelast!Lifethrowscurve ballsatusallthetime.Itishowyoudealwith themthatmatters.Tistheoldsayingthatifyou don’tuseityouloseitthatcomestomind.

So,Iworkfromhomedoingaccountancy work,“manage”mynowtwoteenagekidsand allthewhiletrytogetthatworklifebalance whatwealldreamof,andstilldreamof!Itryto makesurethatmydaycontainsbothmental andphysicalworkasMSeffectsallthebody -fromnumbnessandpaintothinkingand remembering.

IamthecurrentPresidentoftheNorthland MSSociety.Ihopethatbypromoting awarenessoftheSocietyandthediseasethat nooneneedstogothroughthisjourneyalone. Thatthereisalwaysapointofreferenceanda friendlyeartolistenshouldanyproblemsarise.

IwishtothanktheMSFieldWorkerRenee, andOfficeManagerextraordinaireWende,for sharingthisvisionwithme.

Organizations such asNorthland MS, cannotoffer exercise classesandfield workerassistancewithoutthegenerosity shown byoursponsors.Abigthankyou goes out tothosethatdonatetheirtime and financialresources.

NorthAble Matapuna Hauora

DIAS–DisabilityInformation AdvisoryService

NorthAbleDIAScanassistwithproviding freeinformationandadvicetopeoplewith adisability,theirfamilies,whanau,aiga, caregivers,providers,andthepublic.We areheretoassistandansweranyofyour questions.YoucanlikeourFacebookpage, headtoourwebsite,orcheckoutwww firstport.co.nztoaccesshelpfulinformation, news,andevents,orsignuptoourweekly electronicnewsletterbysendingusanemaildias@northable.org.nz

NASC–NeedsAssessmentService Coordination

TalktoourNorthAbleNeedsAssessment ServiceCoordinationTeam(NASC)ifyou orsomeoneyoucareforisaged0–65and requireslongtermsupportduetoaphysical, intellectual,neurological,sensorydisabilityor autism.Youcancheckyoureligibility,makea referralonourwebsitesNASCpage,oryoucan simplygiveusacallandhaveachatwithone ofourfriendlyteam.

EQ+-NorthAbleEquipmentPlus

EQ+isNorthland’slargestsupplierofRehab, AgedCareandDisabilityequipment/products thatsupportpeoplewhoareexperiencinga temporaryorpermanentimpairment,andwe alsohavesomeequipmentforhire.EQ+hasa mobilevanserviceandEquipmentagenciesat Far-NorthPharmacyinKaitaia,UnichemOrrs

disabilityequipmentadviceandsupport throughoutNorthland.

CheckouttheEQ+websiteathttps://www equipmentplus.org.nz/

LYNKZ

OurLYNKZprogrammeisavailableto individualsagedbetween16and64,who haveacognitive,physical,sensorydisability, oracombination.NorthAbleLYNKZisa community-basedservicethatworkswithits clientstoimprovetheirlifeskillsandincrease employmentawarenessandopportunities.Our mainprogrammeoperatesinWhangareifrom MondaytoThursday.WealsorunanOutreach servicewhichoperatesonedayperweekin Kaitaia,Kerikeri,KaikoheandOpononi.For moreinformationcontacttheLYNKZteam throughourmainoffice.

VHN

NorthAbleprovidesaVeryHighNeeds(VHN) servicefundedbyMSD,forclientswhohave

OngoingResourcingScheme(ORS)funding asdefinedbyMinistryofEducation.OurVHN coordinatorworksdirectlywithyouandyour family/whanauorsupportpeopletotailor makesupportplansbasedonindividualgoals& objectivestoengageineverydaysocialactivities andparticipateinthelocalcommunity

Transition

OurtransitionservicesupportsORSfunded studentsleavingschooltomoveontotheirnew pathwayinthecommunity.IfyouhaveORS fundingandareleavingschoolinthenext2 yearscallustofindoutmoreaboutthisservice.

Navigation

NorthAblecurrentlyhasfundingavailable throughtheMSDCommunityConnection ServicetoprovideNavigationSupporttoall peopleandfamiliesinneedofthissupport OurNavigatorscanworkwithyoutoestablish andworkongoalsrelatingtoemployment, education,communityengagement,accessto healthservices,andmore.

NorthAbleDisabilityServices: 40JohnSt,Whangarei

NorthAbleEquipmentPlus: 73JohnSt,Whangarei

Phone0508637200or094300988

Emailnorthable@northable.org.nz

Websitewww.northable.org.nzand www.equipmentplus.org.nz

Bennett &Associates CharteredAccountants

Angie-Rose, Bree, and Celestevisiting Sheepworld.

Promoting Abilities

TorrinHona

Torrinhasalwayshadaninterestinthe FireService.HismotherLeonietalks aboutwhenTorrinwas10andtheylived acoupleofstreetsawayfromtheFireStation, Torrinwouldlistenoutforthesirensandeven hadaradioscannerthathewouldusetolisten tothecallouts.Fastforwardafewyearsand TorrinisnowpartoftheFireServicehimselfat KamoFireStation,oneofthemanyroleshefills aspartofthevolunteersectorinNorthland.

TorrinmovedfromAucklandtoWhangarei inDecember2019andwastednotimein becomingapartofthelocalcommunity.Torrin andLeoniewereimpressedbythecommunity spiritthattheyfoundinWhangarei,which theyfoundtobeverywelcoming.Althoughhis CerebralPalsymeansthattherearethingsTorrin needssupportwith,overalltheattitudehe foundwasapositiveonewithpeoplefocusing onwhathecanbringwithhimandwhatplaces canlearnfromhavinghimintheircrew.

AttheKamoFireStation,Torrinhastwo mainroles:heistheBrigadeSupportOfficer, meaningthatheoverseesthefirecrew’ssafety duringtheirtrainingexercises,andheisin theBusinessSupportteamasaCommunity Educator.AsaCommunityEducatorheattends eventsandpromotesfiresafetytoall,healso drawsonhispersonalexperiencetoeducate workplacesandorganisationsonsupporting peoplewithdisabilitiesduringevacuation proceduresandhelpsthemconsiderwhatthey needaspartoftheiremergencyplanning. TherearemanythingsTorrinlovesabouthis

workfortheFireService–heenjoysgettingout andmeetingpeople,makingsuretheygetthe rightinformationaboutfiresafetyforthem.It’s alsoasourceofcomraderyandbeingpartofa teamthatprovideshimwithadifferentkindof supportthanwhathereceivesfromhisfamily,or thecaregiversthatsupporthimwithday-to-day tasksofliving.Aspartofthisteam,heattends notonlyworkbutsocialevents,andhehasa networkherethatisn’ttheresultofobligation, butofcommunityandasharedpurpose.

Thesearen’ttheonlyvolunteerrolesthat Torrinholds–heisalsoamemberofthe DisabilityAdvisoryGrouptotheWhangarei

DistrictCouncil,informingthemonmatters importanttodisabledpeopleandsupporting themtocreateemergencyplansforthecitythat accountfortheseneeds.Andrecently,during theAmerica’sCup,Torrinwasspending5days aweekinAucklandsothathecouldvolunteer attheCupVillage–atfirstworkingtheAC75 simulatorforvisitorstothevillage,andthen hewasoverseeingthesigninginandoutof allvolunteerstothevillagewhilstmanningan informationboothforvisitors.

AccessinghissupportthroughIndividualised Funding,definitelyhelpsTorrinachievehis goals.Leonieadministrateshissupportasthe IFAgent,andtogethertheyemploytheirown staffandsetthesupportshoursthatsuitthem. Becausetheycanworkacrossayear,theycan planfortimeswhenTorrinwillneedahigher levelofsupport(likewhenhewasinAuckland fortheAmerica’sCup)andallocateadditional supportatthosetimesaslongastheystay withintheirannualbudget.Leonie’sadviceto anyoneconsideringIndividualisedFundingis to“planahead,stickwithinyouroverallbudget, butdon’tbeafraidtopushtheboundariesof whatyouthinkispossible.Andifyouaren’tsure aboutwhatyoucando,justask”.

Torrinhasnoplanstoslowdown–he’s alreadyconsideringasecondtermonthe DisabilityAdvisoryGroup.Heisalsoavailable tospeaktobusinessesandgroupsaboutfire safetyeducation–soifyou’dlikeTorrintospeak toyourteamjustcontacttheKamoFireStation, he’sheretohelp

ParenttoPa Northland

EveryyearhundredsofNorthlandwhānau facetheuniquechallengesofcaringfor ababy/child/teenwithdisabilitiesand healthimpairments.Ourcoreservicesare:

1.Information

Informationonanythingdisabilityrelated thatiseasytounderstandandtailor-made forachild’sspecificconditions.

2.ParentSupport

Connectingwithalocalparentwhohas ‘beenthere’andhasachildwiththe same/similarconditionorhasexperienced similarissues.

3.SibSupport

Campsandprogrammesforthebrothersand sistersofchildrenwithdisabilitiesoffering achancetotalkabouttheirissues,whilst makingfriendsandenjoyingfunactivities

NorthlandregionalcoordinatorDonMartin continuestoreachouttofamiliesinneedin thewholeregion.

Ourworkshopsinclude:

•RenewConnect&Reflect–supportforthe carer

•SupportParents–trainingforparents volunteeringtosupportothers

•SibCamps/SibShops/SibDays–forthe brothers/sistersaged8-18ofpeoplewith disabilities

•SiblingLeadershiptraining–forthose brothersandsisterswantingtohelpchildren inthesamesituation

withanxietyissues

•Education,Disability&YourChild–for parentswantingthebestlearningoutcomes fortheirchild

•NavigatingtheSystemseminar–forparents whoneedsupportaccessingservices

•SecondGeneration–Supportingdisabled peopleandtheirfamilies/whānautoplan whatthefuturecouldlooklike

Donsays“It’sbeenreallypleasinghaving familiesandprofessionalscontactmefrom mostpartsofNorthland.Thewordaboutour servicesisgettingoutthere.LastyearIspent sevendaysontheRTuckerThompsonwith11 rangatahiwhohavesiblingswithadisability Whatanamazinggroupofteenagers!

specific,evidence-basedinformation

•CareMatters–Learingandwellbeing events,web-basedresourcesandfreephone serviceforfamilycarers

•AutismProfessionalDevelopmentSeries –Autismspectrumdisordertrainingfor professionals

DonMartin-RegionalCoordinator Mobile0278083942

Freephone0508236236

Eamilnorthland@parent2parent.org.nz

Websitewww.parent2parent.org.nz www.facebook.com/ parenttoparentnorthland

The Wilson Home Trust.

Supportingphysically disabled children,youngpeople and their familiesisour toppriority

TheWilson Home Trustsupportschildrenand young adults withphysical disabilities up to the ageof22, and their whanauwho liveinthe Upper North Island -fromTurangi in the South to Cape Reingainthe North.

We do thisinarangeofwaysincluding:

•Financial Grantfunding •Information &Support

•Hydrotherapy sessions•Parent/Careractivities

•Equipment demonstrations

In Northland we have apart timecontractorDon Martin who representsthe Wilson HomeTrust.

Pleasecontact DononDonM@parent2parent.org.nz

OurAucklandbased team arealsoavailabletoprovide information and support.

Contact us today 0800 948787 or email info@wilsonhometrust.org.nz Information is alsoavailable on the websitewww.wilsonhometrust.org.nz and facebook page www.facebook.com/wilsonhometrust1

Brodie on Sibling Voyage 2020

Promoting Abilities Special voyage forspecialsiblings

ByDonMartin,ParenttoParent NorthlandRegionalCoordinator

LastyearIfacilitatedaseven-daySibling VoyagewiththeRTuckerThompsonSail TrainingTrust,forelevenrangatahiwho haveabrotherorsisterwithadisability

Siblingsofpeoplewithdisabilitiesoften speakoffeelingsofisolation,embarrassment, andresentment.Theirparentsalsohave challengesthatthosewithoutdisabled childrencannotimagine.Tohelpwiththese feelingsandissuesParenttoParentprovidesa siblingsupportprogrammewherethefocusis solelyonthechildwithoutadisability

Siblingsareknowntodevelopcertaintraits wellbeyondtheirnaturalagesuchastheir maturitylevel,empathyandpatience.The followingaresnippetsofmylogentriesfrom thevoyage,inparticularmyreflectionsabout thesespecialattributes.

Itistheendofdaytwo.Weareanchoredin MahinepuaBayonabeautifulnight,thesort thatyouexpectatthebeginningofspring. Theweatherissettledandtheanchorage calm.Itislightsoutandeveryoneshouldbe tired.Wehaveearlystartstoeachdayandthe crewandmyselfaresnuggledinournarrow, enclosedbunks.Thecurtainispulled,thelight switchedonandperhapsashortreadbefore fallingasleep.Thisisthefirstindividualtime oftheday.Throughthecompartmentsofthe shipIcanhearalowmumbleoftalkingand

Thisisthefirstfulldayontheship.The earlymorningswimandchoresshouldhave beenashockforsomebutnotthisgroup.No shirking,justgettingonwithwhatneeded tobedone.ThisisthefirstthingInoticed. Secondobservation,throughoutthedayI observedhowsupportiveandtolerantthey areofeachother.Decisionsandactivitiesas agroupseemtocomeaboutwithlittlefuss. Examplesinclude,workingtogethertoraise theanchorandsetsailsforsailingupthe

log asimpressedbytheoverwhelming positivityinourdiscussions:

“I enjoylistening to othersrecalling positive timesand hearing about what their sibling is like.”

“It’scool that theyshapewho youare.”

“Experiences that Ihavehad have made me amoreempathetic person.”

ThiswasanexperiencethatIwillneverforget formanyreasons,andonethingisforcertain,it wasaprivilegetosharethistimewiththem.

Parkinson’sNewZealand

AboutParkinson’s Parkinson’sisthefastestgrowingneurological conditionintheworld.

Nearly2,700peoplearediagnosedwith Parkinson’sinNewZealandeveryyear. Today,closeto12,000NewZealandersare livingwithParkinson’s Parkinson’sisaprogressive neurodegenerativeconditioncausedby insufficientquantitiesofdopamine-a chemicalinthebrain.Whendopaminelevels fall,movementsbecomeslowandawkward.

Themostcommonphysicalsymptoms aretremor,stiffness,rigidityandslowness ofmovement.Othersymptomsinclude depression,anxietyorapathy,disturbance ofnormalsleep,constipation,andtrouble swallowingorspeaking.

Theaverageageatdiagnosisis59. AlthoughParkinson’scurrentlyhasnocure, treatmentisavailable.

Parkinson’sNewZealandCharitableTrust Firstestablishedin1983,Parkinson’sNew ZealandCharitableTrust(PNZCT)istheonlyNZ organisationprovidingeducation,information, andsupportservicestopeoplelivingwithand affectedbyParkinson’s,aswellastheircarers, whānauandhealthprofessionals

Weofferavitalrangeofservicesincluding visitingpeoplewithParkinson’sattheirhomes toprovidecomprehensive,personalised assessments.

PNZCThasateamoftwenty-fiveCommunity EducatorsandParkinson’sNursesinregions throughoutNewZealand,twoinNorthland.

TheNorthlandServiceAreaextendsfrom TeHanasouthacrosstoKaiparaandupto NorthCape.

CurrentlyParkinson’sNewZealandis supporting355peoplewhohavebeen diagnosedwithParkinson’s,theircarerand whanauinNorthland.

Therearearangeofactivitiesavailable throughouttheNorthincluding:

•Whangarei-weeklywalkinggroup, hydrotherapy,physiotherapy,voice exercises,MovementforPDandballroom dance,Counterpunchgroups.

•Kerikeri-weeklyTaiChi,Counterpunchand MovementforPDgroups.

•CarersGroupsinWhangarei&Kerikeri.

•SupportGroupsareheldmonthlyin Whangarei,WaipuandKerikeri.

•Bi-monthlymeetingsareheldinDargaville andKaitaia.Allofthesemeetingshavea rangeofactivitiesbotheducationaland socialinnature.

•UpbeatMeetingsareheldthroughoutthe yearforpeoplediagnosedbeforetheageof 60andareunder65.

PNZCTisavailableforsupport,education andinformationforfamilieslivingwith Parkinson’s.Ifyouorsomeoneyouknowhas beendiagnosedwithParkinson’syoucanrefer onlineviaourwebsitewww.parkinsons.org.nz. Parkinson’sNewZealandcharitabletrustis reliantonfundingfromgrants,bequests,and donations.

WHEN: Friday 3rdDecember 2020 10am-2pm

WHERE: Riverbank Theatre, ReyburnHouse Lane

g.nz

org.nz

Promoting Abilities KeepMoving

Parkinson’sNewZealandCharitable Trustorganisesmanydifferentexercise groupsforpeoplewithParkinson’sas exerciseisofhugebenefittothosewhoare livingwiththecondition.

Exercisegroupsincludewalkinggroups, singingandvoicetraining,hydrotherapy, physiotherapy,TaiChi,ballroomdancingand MovementforPDclasses.Counterpunch, whichinvolvesboxingtraining,hasrecently beenaddedtotheweeklygroupsprovidedin theNorthlandarea.

Maureen“Stinger”Slako,aclientof Parkinson’sNewZealand,hasbeenattending oneoftheseexerciseclassesandthebenefits areimmediatelynoticeable.

“IshuffleinbutIwalkout,”shesays Hergoalsaretowalkbetterandregain strengthinhervoice

Thesmallgroupmeetseachweekto donboxingglovesandpracticejabbing

atpunchingbags.RunbycoachHenrietta Sakey,theexercisesaredesignedtostimulate theareasofthebrainandbodythatare commonlyaffectedbyParkinson’s

Thesessionisloudandthereislotsof movingaround.Henriettastartsthegroup offwithsquatsandshoulderrollswithafew groupexercisesbeforequicklyassigningeach persontoapunchingbagandcallingoutthe sequencestheyhavetoremember

Henriettasaystheexerciseregimeisall aboutbigmovementsandfillingthelungs andusingtheirvoices

“WithParkinson’s,everythingrestrictsand movementsbecomesmallerandtheytendto losetheirspeech

“Hereeverythingisdesignedtobebig,’’ shesays,assheinstructsthegrouptoyell outloudlyastheycountthroughanother sequenceofpunches

Geoff“Ali”Skudderwasdiagnosedwith Parkinson’sabout10yearsagoandisalsoa clientofParkinson’sNewZealand.Heloves thesessionsasithelpshisstrengthandbrain co-ordinationskills.HealsodoesTaiChiand playsgolfusingagolfcarttohelphimget aroundthecourse

“Thisisagreatworkout.Wegettoexercise everypartofthebodyanditchallengesme mentally.”

Ken“Tyson”Gavinwasdiagnosedwith Parkinson’sabout16yearsagoandsays exerciseisanimportantpartofhisday

“Idoexercisesofsomesorteverymorning It’simportanttokeepmoving.IfIstandstill,with Parkinson’sitisdifficulttogetmovingagain.’’ Moredetailsabouttheimportanceof Parkinson’sSpecificExerciseandinformation aboutParkinson’scanbefoundatwww. parkinsons.org.nz

Maureen “Stinger”Slako, lovesher weekly boxing sessions. Photo: Donna Russell

Counterpunch coach HenriettaSakey leads off asession with Parkinsons NewZealand clients. Photo: Donna Russell

Supportinglifeafter strokeinNorthland

Astrokeisabrainattackwheretheblood supplyinthebrainisstoppedbyeither ableedorablockage.Astrokecan happentoanybodyandcanbedevastatingfor manypeopleanddramaticallychangetheir life.Theeffectiscertainlywiderthanjustthe personwhohadit

TheStrokeFoundationisthenational charityinNewZealandsolelydedicatedto thepreventionandrecoveryfromstroke.For over40years,ithasactivelypromotedways toavoidstrokeanddedicateditselftoworking closelywithstrokesurvivors,theirfamily/ whanauandcarers

Supportinglifeafterstrokeistheroleofthe StrokeFoundation’sCommunityStrokeAdvisor service.Thisfreeserviceisavailablethroughout Northlandtoworkwithstrokesurvivorsand thosearoundthem,providingexperience, supportandhopethatisdesignedtoachieve thebestpossibleoutcomeafterstroke CommunityStrokeAdvisors,Lynelle Ngakuru(FarandMidNorth)andGenoMilnes (WhangareiandKaiparaareas),workclosely

withthosewhohavebeenaffectedbystroke, makinghospitalandhomevisits,supporting families/whanauandcaregivers,advisingon accessingcarereliefservicesandsupport

LynelleandGeno’s,generalfocusison gettingthestrokesurvivorbackintothe communityandassistingfamily/whanauand caregiverstonotonlyunderstandastroke,but toadjusttotheirchangedcircumstances.

CommunityStrokeAdvisorsknowabout, andlinkclientstolocalsupportgroupsand recreationalactivities.Theseincludeexercise groups,sportsclubs,accessiblegyms,artand craftgroups,therapies,caregiver,partneror familysupportgroupsandyoungerstroke survivorgroups.

TheStrokeFoundationprovidesfree informationaboutstrokeandmanaginglife afterwardsthroughCommunityStrokeAdvisors andviatheStrokeFoundation’swebsite. Thebook“LifeAfterStroke”providesgood informationandisreadilyavailableinhospitals andfromCommunityStrokeAdvisors.

StrokesupportorganisationsinNorthland

OURMISSION:

We work to preventstroke, improve outcomes,and save

lives

arelocatedintheFarNorth,Whangareiand Dargavilleandcanbecontactedthrougha CommunityStrokeAdvisor.Thesegroups providesupporttopeoplewithstroke,and thosearoundthem.Theyenablepeopleto shareexperiences,understandmoreabout stroke,meetnewpeopleandparticipatein socialactivitiesandspecialevents.

OthergroupsincludetheWordMasters WhangareiAphasiaGavelClubwhichis designedtoassistthosepeoplewhohave acommunicationdifficultyasaresultofa strokeortraumaticbraininjuryandastroke hydrotherapygroupassistedbytheStroke FoundationandrunweeklyattheWhangarei AquaticCentrewithPhysiotherapistIsobel Finlayson’ssupport

CommunityStrokeAdvisors inNorthland

LynelleNgakuru

FarandMidNorth (CapeReingatoKawakawa) Freephone:0800566383

Email:far.north@stroke.org.nz

GabiZundorf Northland(KawakawatoWellsford) Freephone:0800459954

Email:northland@stroke.org.nz Web:www.stroke.org.nz

Promoting Abilities

MoniquePourewa

Thestrokecametotallyout oftheblue,accordingto MoniquePourewa.

Shewasafit,active53-year-old andhadjusthoppedontoan escalatorinAustraliaabout18 monthsago.

“Itreallyknockedmeforsix,’’ shesaid

TheIschaemicstrokeaccounts forabout87percentofallstrokes andoccurswhenabloodclot obstructsthesupplyofbloodto thebrain.

ForMonique,theright-hand sideofherbrainwasdamaged whichaffectstheleft-handsideof herbody

Initiallyshecouldnotfly hometoNewZealandbut alwayswantedtoreturnhometo Pataua,eastofWhangarei,forher rehabilitation.

“This is notthe lifeIwanted but I’ve alwayshad tenacity andIhaverecoveredquite well. Toseeme you would not realiseIhave hada stroke.But Idoget reallytiredeasilyand forsomeonewho hasalways pushedmyself,itcan bereally hardsometimes,’’shesaid.

Moniquesaidanimportant partofherrecoveryhasbeen settingupanewbusinessat Patauawhichshehascalled RehabwithCoffee.

It’sbecomeapopularspotin thevillageandiswellsupported bylocals.

“It’sneverbeenaboutthe money.Thecoffeecartisabout challengingmyselfasIwas tendingtobecomearecluse.It’s becomeaplaceoftherapyfor otherpeopleaswell.Thereisalot thatcanbesharedoveracoffee.’’

Althoughthebusinesshas apopularFacebookpage,she purposelykeepsherhoursflexible toaccommodateherneeds.

“Itgivesmethefreedomto notopensometimeswhenI amhavingabadday.IfIputup regularhoursIwouldopeneven whenIshouldn’t,’’shesaid.

Moniqueinitiallyoffered slicesbutfoundtheeffortof dealingwithfoodtootiringand, ultimately,peoplemostlyjust wantedacoffee

“It’saplaceforpeopleto congregatewithoutalcohol, whichisquiteimportant.’’

Growinginclusive Sport in Northland

Areyouafterawaytogetactiveinan inclusiveenvironment,meetnew people,trynewthingsandhangout withmates?

ParafedNorthlandisheretogiveinclusive sport,recreationandplayopportunitiesto thoseofallageswithdisabilitieswhoenjoy beingactiveandgettinginvolvedinsportand recreationinbeautifulNorthland.Ifyouare newtosportandrecreation,theyarealsoa safeplacetogiveitagoandhelpyoufindyour newhobby!

ParafedNorthlandisoneoftenParafed’si thecountrywhoarecommittedtoensuring inclusivesportandrecreationopportunities intheirregion.PartofthewaythatParafed Northlandworksisbylinkingwithlocal sportingclubsandschoolstohelpcreatethose opportunitiesaswellascreatingsomeofthos opportunitiesthemselves.Recentlytheyhave workedalongsideTouchNZandNorthland SecondarySchoolSportAssociationtohelp deliveranInclusiveWheelchairTurboTouch TournamentalongsideTurboTouch.Schools acrossNorthlandparticipatedanditallowed studentsofallabilitiesthechancetorepresent theirschool.

Oneofthehighlightsoftheyearisthe annualwatersportsdayheldatthebeautiful KowharewaBayinTutukaka.Hereyoucan tryPaddleBoarding,SurfSkiing,Kayaking andWakaAma,allfacilitatedbyexperienced instructors.Notkeentomakeasplash?Then

thereisalwayssomebeachcricket,ayummy sausagesizzleoryoucanjustrelaxwithfamily andfriendswhileyouenjoythisbeautiful shelteredspot.

ParafedNorthlandhasbeenalong-time supporteroftheTeRakiNorthlandWheelchair BasketballTeamalso,whichisgrowingin numbers peoplegetinvolvedinthisfast

paced,funsport.Don’thaveasportschair? Thatisokay,wecanloanyouone!Thisteam islikeafamily,whoenjoyweeklylocaltraining withopportunitiesforawaytournaments, whichconnectwithotherteamsthroughout theNorthIsland.

ThisyearParafedNorthlandhasgrownwith nowapart-timecontractorbasedinKaikoheto helpyoufindtheperfectsportandrecreation opportunityforyouintheNorth.Theyare excitedtocontinuetogrowthroughout NorthlandtoensureallNorthlandershavethe opportunityforqualitySportandRecreation.

Parafediscommittedtoopeningdoorsto createnewopportunitiesinvarioussportssuch asParaCycling,WheelchairTurboTouch,Golf, Swimming,WheelchairBasketball,WaterBased Sports,Walk/FitnessSocialGroups,Sailing andPrecisionBallSportssuchasBocciaand

Promoting Abilities VolunteeringNorthland

Disability no barrier to volunteering

StorybyvolunteerreporterJanineDuncan

Despitebeingtotallyblindduetothe conditionRFL(Retrolentalfibroplasia)

KerryGreenfieldisarealgogetter whoisdeterminedtolivealifeasfulland independentlyaspossible

Afterlivingforanumberofyearsin Auckland,KerrymovedtoWhangareisixand ahalfyearsago.Hervolunteeringjourneyin WhangareibeganbyapproachingVolunteering Northlandandafterdiscussingthedifferent opportunitiesavailable,itwassuggestedshe registerforstreetcollectionappeals.Since thisinitialmeeting,Kerryhasbeeninvolved withcollectionsforPinkRibbon,Blind&Low Vision,AlzheimersandtheSalvationArmy. Shedescribesherreasonsforvolunteeringas “supportingacause,gettingconnectedand

doingthingsthatareworthwhileandhelpthe community.”

Theorganisationsshehasvolunteeredfor haveallbeenverysupportiveinenablingher toundertakehervolunteerworkbyproviding transportetc.Indescribingthoseaspects ofvolunteeringshehasenjoyedmostshe mentions‘thegenerosityandinterestofthe public;mixingwithotherpeopleandthe fellowcollectorsandhelpingoutorganisations whoaredoinggoodwork.’’

Anaccomplishedmusicianandpassionate aboutmusic,Kerrynotonlyspecialisesin playingtheaccordion,shealsoplaysthe harmonicaandlovestosing.Hermusical talenthasledtoperformancesatseveralof Whangarei’sresthomesandsheregularly busksatCountdown.Additionally,Kerryhas alreadyrecordedoneCDandiscurrently recordingadoublealbumwithtwoaccordion songsandtherestwillbevocal.

Kerry’sotherinterestsincludeknitting, crochetingandreadingandshehasbeen involvedwithknittingandcraftgroupsinthe Whangareicommunity.Havingknittedand crochetedavarietyofpiecessuchashats, scarves,slippers,cushioncoversetc;shehas alsosoldsomeofherprojectsorgiftedthem aspresentsandwouldlovetobeinvolvedin undertakingthistypeofworkinavoluntary capacity,asafundraiser.Sheisextremely opento“anyopportunitiesthatcomeher way’’andisalsoveryadeptatusingBraille

computersanddevicesforemail,internet anddownloadingandreadingbooksand documents.

Apartfromparticipatinginfundraising,Kerry wouldlovetovolunteerinothercapacities; notonlyintermsofmusicorcraftprojectsbut anythingwithinhercapabilities.Achallenge forherintermsofbeingabletovolunteer istheprovisionoftransport;howeverifshe wantstoparticipateinanyaspectoflife,sheis determinednottoletthisstopher

Whenaskedwhatadviceshewouldgiveto anyonewithadisabilitywhoisconsidering volunteering;Kerrysuggestscontacting VolunteeringNorthlandandexploringthe opportunitiesavailable.However,shewould alsoadviseorganisationstakingonvolunteers toensurethey‘’helpthemfindrolestheyare comfortablewith.”

Kerry’sstoryisanexampleofhow muchtalentandabilitythereiswithinour community.Sheisaninspirationtoanyone consideringtakingonavolunteerwithany formoflimitationortothosewithinthe disabledcommunitywhowouldliketoexplore furtheropportunities

Ifyouwouldliketoknowmoreabout volunteeringinyourcommunityyoucan visittheVolunteeringNorthlandwebsite www.volunteeringnorthland.nzoremail thematinfo@volunteeringnorthland.nz

TLC4U2 InHomeCareProvider

TReingatoAucklandandbeyond.tlc4u2 providesACCfundedcareforclientswhohave sustainedaninjury,whetherit’sassistingtaking aclienttoanappointmentor24/7carefor clientswhohavetraumaticbraininjuriesor spinalcordinjuries.

Withtheirlocallybasedteam,tlc4u2 provides24-hoursupporttoensureyou receivethelevelofsupportandcareyou needthatisdeliveredwithcompassionand understanding.tlc4u2worksalongsideclients

andfamiliestoindividualisecareneedsand incorporateaholisticapproach.Havingforged closerelationshipswithalliedhealthservices (hospice,socialworkers,districtnursing, physiotherapist,occupationaltherapist)tlc4u2 hasaccesstohealthcareresourcestoensure highqualitydeliveryofservices.

tlc4u2alsooffersabroadrangeofprivately fundedhome-basedcareoptionsassisting clientswithhomehelp,personalcares,postoperative,rehabilitative,respite,palliative, companionshipcareandovernightcare Identifyingtheappropriatelevelofcare withthegoalofmaintainingandenhancing lifestylestopromoteindependenceiswhat tenderlovingcareisallabout

Shouldyourequiresometenderlovingcare foryourselforafamilymember,whetherACC orprivatelyfundedgivetlc4u2acallon0800 852482andoneofourlovelycoordinatorswill arrangeanoobligationvisittoseehowwecan assist.

Somecommentsfromourclients:

“Veryeasytotalkwith.Ineverfeltanuisance andamveryappreciativeofthehelpIhave received.TookawaysomuchstressIfelt.”

“IfIwasfeelingunwellmyhomehelp supporterwasalwaysconsiderate.Veryvery hardworkinglady.”

“Thecaregiverisgreatwhichreflectsonyour company.Iconsidermyselffortunatetohave metacleanefficientcaringsupportworker”.

tlc4u2specialisesinproviding high quality careinyourown home,enhancingyour life style andindependence.

Promoting Abilities CitizensAdviceBureau Whangarei

Kāoreitemārama?PataiTePouWhakawhirinakioWhangarei Notsure?Askus.

TheCitizensAdviceBureauiscelebrating –providingpeoplewithinformationoneverything consumerrightstoemployment,Covid-19,end-of andbeneficiaryentitlements.

Thenationalorganisationprovidesfree,confidential advice.TheWhangareibureaualsohasafreeleg fortnightly,andabeneficiaryadvocate

ThebureauisintemporarypremisesonLevel2o officebuildingat69BankSt,nextdoortoitsusual Hall,theMunicipalBuilding,whichisabouttobe stepsfromstreetleveltothelift,soifthisisabarrier wecanmeetyouwithalaptopinamoreaccessible

CABisproudtodeliverapeople-centredservic legacytheCABhascreatedandforthefutureitw Grove,chairoftheCABWhangareiBoard.“Wewant thattheycanpopinandvisit,callusonthefreephone, ourwebsitebyusinglivechatorsendingamessag

“Wehavethetimetolisten,andaimtoensurey youneed–whetherit’saboutyourrightsandnext situation,ortofindaspecificservice,wecanhelp

ThelocalbureauansweredenquiriesregardlessoftheCovidalert levellastyear.“Ifweareworkingfromhomewehavetechnologythat givesusourphonemessagesviaanemail–sopleasedoleaveacontact aswecanoperateonalllevels,includingLevel4.Oneofourvolunteers willalwayscallyouback,”saysAlison. Therearemorethan80CABlocationsthroughoutAotearoa.Staffand volunteersmobilisedlastyeartocontinueitsserviceduringlockdown, andmadeextracallsfortheMinistryofSocialDevelopmenttocheckin withover-70swithoutanemailaddress.

Volunteersundertakeanintensivetrainingprocessthatensuresthey arereadyforqueriesandissues,andprovideoptionsbasedonresearch. Thebureauhasjusttrainedanewcohortofvolunteerswhoareeager andreadytotakeyourcall–tryus!

Te Pou Whakawhirinaki oWhangarei

BlomfieldSchool Playistheway!

AtBlomfieldSchoolweseethehugevalue ofplayforourstudents’learning.Play engagesthesenses,brainandbodyin active,enjoyable,safelearning.Forthisreason wefeatureplayinmanyaspectsofourschool environment.Likemanylocalschoolswe operateplaybasedlearningwithaspecialist lensinsomeofourjuniorclasses.Asstudents getolderthiscanleadtoinquirylearningwhen studentsareencouragedtofurtherexplore, researchandbuildonwhattheyarepassionate about.Tosupportourstudentsinplaywehave anumberofinitiativesandfacilities.

OurheatedindoorpoolatBlomfieldCentral Campusisahugedrawcardforourtamariki! OurHākinakina/Gymhastheeverpopularball pit,swingsandscooterramps–makingitthe perfectsafeplacetoworkoffthatenergywhile improvingphysicalandsensoryregulation.The massiveropetowerinourfieldgiveourkeen climbersachallengeanddifferentperspective ontheschool.Andthecrowninggloryisour

newstunningpournplayplaygroundmatting featuredonthispage

Thepreviousmattingatourcentral campuswasmonotone,dulland uninspiringwithtilesthatwerelifting andbecomingtriphazards.Wesawthe opportunitytotransformourplayground intosomethingtrulyunique.Itneededto caterforthewiderangeofages,abilities,and physicalneeds,beculturallyinclusive,and incorporatethe equitable,simple

Megan Wills BA, LLB

Bridget Westenra LLB

Maria Davies BA, LLB (Hon)

Helen Kaimarama BA, LLB

Kayla Herbert LLB

ourowndesignthatincludedaroadand pathsforwayfinding,patternsandbalance ballstoincreasemovement,amoundfor freeplay,andnumbers,shapesandcolours forlearningopportunities.Theplayground asawholehasbeentransformedintoa stimulatingoutdoorlearningenvironment thatcanbeutilisedinamultitudeofways. entsaremoreengaged,active, andinteractivewithstaffandeach nshort,weallloveitandweareseeing ongalearningthroughtheirplaymore reeachday!

BlomfieldSpecialistSchool phone:094382105

Email:admin@blomfield.school.nz www.blomfield.school.nz

Promoting Abilities ForgetMeNot

TheNorthlandDisabledCharitableTrustis anon-profitorganisationandhasbeen operatingtheForgetMeNotAdultDay CentreinTikipunga,Whangareisince1994.The Centreisadaycareserviceandisavailable toadultsofallagesincludingthosewhoare youngwithdisabilities,theelderlyandfrail, thosewithmemoryloss,headinjuriesand/or otherdisabilities.TheCentreprovidesquality daycarethatenhancesthewelfarenotonlyof theclientsbutalsoofthecarersandfamilies wholookaftertheirlovedonesathomeona 24houradaybasis.TheCentrehascapacityfor 40clientvisitsperday.TheStaffarequalified intheirrespectivefields,andareexperienced andcaring.Entrycriteriaisbasedonyou visitingandhavingalookaroundtodecide

Theprogrammeisstructuredwithavariety ofactivitiesthatprovidemotivation,education, rehabilitationandfun.Acookedlunchis provideddailyforclientsand‘takehome’meals serviceisavailableforclientswhorequirean eveningmeal.Clientsaretransportedtoand fromtheCentrebytheTrustvans.

Toachievethebestqualityserviceto ourcommunitytheTrustreliesheavilyon philanthropicfundingandsponsorshiptokeep theservicesustainable.

FrozenMeals

AtForgetMeNotwehaveidentifiedaneedfor supplyofmealsthatareeasilyheatedathome.

Thesedeliciousmealsarenotrestricted toclientsonly,butareavailableforanyof theelderlyanddisabledpeopleinourlocal communitywhocannolongercookmeals themselvesathome.

ThemealsarecookedinourWDCA certifiedkitchenbyourchefsandarefreshly frozen.Mouliedmealsareavailableifneeded onrequest.

ForgetMeNotwasanessentialservice duringtherecentCOVID19shutdownsupplying hundredsofmealstotheelderlydisadvantaged andthosewithdisabilitiesintheWhangarei Community.Thesemealsweredeliveredtothe person’sdoorstep.InresponseForgetMeNot hashadmanylettersofgratitudefromthose whowouldnothavebeenabletocopeinthe isolationoftheirhomesduringthistime.

ForgetMeNot 110BoundaryRoad,Tikipunga WHANGAREI0112

Phone:094371144 manager@forgetmenot.org.nz www.adultdaycentre.co.nz

AtTikipungawe specializeinall mechanical repairsincluding; transmissions &generalservices,WOF,brake and clutch repairsaswell as tires.We have the latesttechnology and diagnostic equipment to diagnose problems in allJapanese and European cars.Come in and see our friendly staff atTikipunga Automotivetoday.HereatTikipungaAutomotive,we arededicated to treating our customerswith honesty,respect,and professionalism.We hope that you find what you’re looking foronour website,but please don’thesitateto contact us,should yourequiremoreinformation,ortobook your car in.

WelcometoSpectrumCare –howcanwehelp?

We’reanindependentcharitabletrust thatprovidessupportforchildren, youngpeopleandadultswith disabilitiesandtheirwhanau.What’sourwork? Tohelpidentifythepotentialineveryoneof thepeopleweserve,thensetouttohelpthem realiseit

Ourservicesinclude24-hoursupportfor peoplelivinginresidentialhomes,andawide rangeofflexiblerespitesupportoptionsinthe Northland,Auckland,Waikato,BayofPlenty andWellingtonregions.

Wealsoprovidein-home‘buddy’support, post-school‘transitions’andgoaloriented ‘aspirations’support,alongwitharangeof schoolholiday,after-schoolandweekend respiteprogrammes.

Ourindependentlivingsupportis specificallyfocusedonempoweringpeople towardslivingtheirlivesofchoice–liveslike

her–inthecommunity,andwealso supportforpeopletowardsachieving employmentgoals. flexiblesupportoptionscanbe edtosuiteachwhanau’suniqueneeds. supportscanbefullyfundedthrough whanaumember’sneedsassessmentor funding,partiallyfundedthroughCarer paymentsand‘toppedup’,orprivately onafee-for-servicebasis. aimistoensureEverypersonwitha disabilitydeservesalifeofchoice,freedomand independence.

usea‘oneteam’approachtobuildtrust

andfamiliarity,andworkwithpeopleand whanautodevelopindividualisedsupport optionsthatareeasytouseandaccess. Talktoustodayaboutourflexiblesupport optionsandtodiscussyourspecificneeds. Humanpotentialisineveryone.Some peoplejustneedmoresupporttorealiseit

Contactustodaytofindoutmore! www.spectrumcare.org.nz info@spectrumcare.org.nz

Howcan we help you?

We offer awidearray of flexible support optionsinthe Northland, Auckland, Waikato, BayofPlenty andWellington regions, which can be structured to suit each family’sunique needs.

Our aimistoensurepeople havechoice,control andflexibilityinthe supports they receive and have theopportunity to co-create their own support options. We also offera navigator service0508NAVIG8 aimed at helpingfamilies new to disability support.

Contact us today to find out more!

spectrumcare.org.nz info@spectrumcare.org.nz 09 6343790 |0508NAVIG8 (0508628 448)

TheMiriamCentre

Lifeisdifficultformanyyoungpeople.AttheMiriamCentrewework withyoungpeoplestrugglingwithallsortsoflifeissuesandwe supportandworkwiththemtofindsolutionsthatarepositive,less stressfulandconstructiveforeachyoungperson.

Sometimestherearepersonalorfamilyorschoolorpeerissues whicharedistressingandoverwhelming.Frequentlywesupportyoung peoplewithissuesofanger,abuse,violence,intimidationandneglect anddisempowerment.Youngpeoplemayfeeltheirsituationsare insurmountable,butthereisalwaysawaythrough.

PatsyoftheMiriamCentre,ourmultidisciplinaryteamofmenand women,Maoriandpakehaspecialistcounsellorsandsocialworkers, workwiththeyoungperson,theirfamilywhanau,school,Oranga Tamariki,Police,YouthJustice,Courts,orwhoeverisinvolved(orpartof theproblem)tofindthesolutionwhichwillenabletheyoungpersonto moveforwardinwaysthataregoodforthem

Thatofferthemachanceofabetter,fairerlifeoutcome.Wehelp theyoungpersonfindtheirvoiceandtobeheard.Ourservicesare providedfreeofchargeacrossallofNorthland.WeoperateInschools, homes,medicalcentres,marae,incafés,intheMiriamCentre22MillRd Whangareiand26Puckey AveKaitaia,orwhereever theyoungpersonfeels mostcomfortable.

Youcancontactusat: 22MillRoad,Whangarei Phone:094376010 Facsimile:094376672

Promoting Abilities

Bytheathletes–fortheathletes Morethanjustsports

SpecialOlympic training,compe opportunitiesfo athletesinWhangarei foralmost40years.W givingourathletesopp leadership,todevelop actascoaches,andto therunningoftheirow Ourmantra,Bythe meansexactlythat.We athletestotakelittlele trainingandduringcompe followblindly.AtourNa Decemberthisyeartwo actuallyattendascoaches. isa‘first’forSpecialO andwe’rehopingitw athletesinourclubto Potentiallywecanc to80years,butsome cometotrainingfor anddonotentercomp theoutingandthesu definitelybeneficial

Unlikemostsport sport.Atpresentweprovideweeklytraining opportunitiesinathletics,football,swimming, indoorbowls,andtenpinbowling.People joininguscantakepartinany,orallofour sportsfortheonesmallsubscription.A handfulofourmembersparticipatein3or4 activitieseachweek

Agroupofcommittedvolunteershelpusto provideactivitiesinWhangareiandDargaville foraround60peoplewhowouldnormallybe sidelinedinmainstreamcompetitivesports. Shouldyouwishtojoinusasavolunteer, becauseyouwillbeworkingwithvulnerable people,youwillneedacurrentpoliceclearance, whichwecanarrange.Wealsoaskthat,should youvolunteer,thatyoustandbackandmentor ratherthantakingcharge

Sporting and recreation opportunities for persons with an Intellectual impairment

We aremultisport athletics:equestrian, athletics: equestrian, football, indoor bowls, swimming and tenpin bowling

Athletes from 8to80years old

Developing self esteem encouraging initiative

Activitiesdeveloped by the athletes, Activities developed for the athletes

Special

Olympics Whangarei

For all enquires contact Martin Barrie Phone: 021 118 2422 –Like us on Facebook.

Interestedparents,athletes, prospectivevolunteers,orvolunteer driverspleasecontactourchairperson: MartinBarrie Phone:0211182422

DOUG THE DIGGER

Proud patron of Whangarei

Promoting Abilities

ThePapermill Come&visitusatThePapermill!

VisitorstoThePapermillarealwayswelcome. Whenyouwalkinthedooryoufindyourself surroundedbycolourfulpaperartworks andgetcaughtupinthepositiveenergythatfills theCreativeStudio.Papermakerssitarounda longtablenearthewindowsworkingonvarious artprojects.Someareworkingontheirentriesfor theIHCArtAwards,othersmakingcardsforthe shop.Atutorhelpsoutdemonstratingatechnique oransweringtheoddquestionthatflowsoutof thecheerfulandsometimescheekyconversation betweentheartists.

InthePapermakingStudioitseemsbusier becausetherearemanyprocessestakingplace simultaneously.SomePapermakersarecutting flax,somearehandmulching,somearecleaning plasticsandofcoursesomearestandingatthe bathsmakingpaperundertheexperiencedeyeof thePapermakingTutor.

ThePapermillwasestablishedin1989by RhondaRutherford-Dunnwhothroughextensive researchsettledonpapermakingasatherapeutic mediumtobuildself-esteemandconfidencein peoplewithintellectualdisabilities,empowering themtoparticipatetothebestoftheirabilities intheirpersonallivesaswellasintheirwider communities.Over30yearslaterThePapermill isstillgoingstrong,providingavibrant,safeand nurturingenvironment.Today,justasmuchfocus isplacedoncreatingpaperartascreatingthe paperitself

ThePapermill,avocationalservice, operatesasasmallbusinessfollowing astructuredandroutinebased philosophy.Thisisintegraltofostering ateamenvironmentwhereeveryone sharestheloadandthejourney.At themorningmeetingthelistofdaily jobssuchassweepingfloors,laundry, preparingthetrayformorningtea, gettingthemailetc.areallocated. Everyonegetsaturn.Atthesame meetingtherosterforthestudiosis readout.Thegoalistohaveoneday inthecreativeStudioandthenextin thePapermakingStudio.Thedaily meetingisconcludedbypracticing ThePapermillwelcomethatincludes thewords“Weareagroupofpeople onanadventureinaninspiringplace tofindoutwhatwecandoreallywell.” whichfittinglysumsupwhatThe Papermillisallabout.

VisitorstothePapermillcan purchasepaper,stationeryandpaper art,tourthestudiosandinteractwith theartistsatwork.Papermaking workshopsareavailableondemand

■ HelenStuttwithher2020 exhibitionpiece‘RolyPoly’

Promoting Abilities

HalbergFoundationproviding inclusiveopportunitiesforall

GivingyoungKiwiswithaphysicaldisability theopportunitytoexperienceallthe benefitsofsportandrecreationiswhat drivestheHalbergFoundationteam.

Thecharity,foundedbyOlympicrunning legendSirMurrayHalberg(ONZ,MBE)in1963, aimstoenhancethelivesofphysicallydisabled youngpeoplethroughsportandrecreationwith HalbergAdvisersdeliveringthecoreworkofthe Foundation

Advisersarebasedregionallyaroundthe countryandsupportphysicallydisabledyoung peopleandtheirwhānaubyconnectingthem tosportandactiverecreationopportunities andworkingwithlocalsportsorganisationsand schoolstoprovideinclusiveactivities.

NorthlandandNorthHarbourAdviser,Rhys Edwards,seesfirst-handthepositiveimpactthat beingactivecanhaveonayoungperson.Rhysis passionateaboutkeepingactivehimself,having studiedaBachelorofSportandRecreationatAUT withadoublemajorinSportsManagementand Coaching,alongwithbeingaqualifedFutsaland Footballcoach.

“Iamgratefuleverydaytoconnectwithfamilies, promoteourmessageofinclusion,andtomake apositiveimpactontheyoungpeopleweserve,” saysRhys.

Aswellassupportingwhānauintheregion, RhysdeliverstheHalbergInclusionTraining–a courseonmodifyingphysicalactivitytoincludeall NewZealandersinmainstreamactivities,events

andprogrammes.Itteachesthecorefundamentals ofhowtoadaptandmodifyphysicalactivities aswellasincreasingtheknowledgeandskillsof teachersandsportdeliveressotheyareconfident inprovidingqualitysportingopportunitiesforall Lastyear,twentystaff,ResourceTeachers: LearningandBehaviour(RTLB)andwhānau fromKamoIntermediateSchoolinWhangarei, completedanInclusionTrainingcoursetohelp assisttheminsupportingastudentwithAtaxia cerebralpalsy

Rhyssaidallstaffcameawaywithanew perspectiveandunderstandingaroundhowto

TheHalbergFoundation delivers an Inclusion Training course on adaptingand modifyingphysicalactivity to ensureall New Zealanders,nomattertheir ability,can be included in sportand recreation activities

TheHalbergInclusion TrainingcourseisaProfessional Learning andDevelopment (PLD)coursewhich incorporatestheory andpractical elementsand is presented to schools, clubs,and organisationson-site by aHalbergAdviser andtailored to the school’s/organisation’s needsand timeconstraints.

Participants aregiventhe tools, skills,and confidencetoprovide inclusive andquality sportingopportunities forall.

■ Halberg AdviserRhys Edwardswith participants playingboccia attheSaint Kentigern HalbergAdapted SportsDayin 2019.

adaptlessonstoensureinclusion.

“Thestrategieslearntwereeasytoimplement straightawayandourstudentwasempowered tosharewhathehadlearntwithhisteachersand classmatestheverynextday,”saysMichellePayne fromtheRTLB.

Rhyswasimpressedwiththeengagementof thestaffandsaidtheyallcontributedgreatideas tobenefittheirstudentsandmaketheschool inclusiveforall.

ContactRhystodaybyemailingrhys@halberg. co.nzorcall0220435308forInclusionTrainingor support

Formoreinformation or to registerfor aHalbergInclusion Trainingcoursegoto halbergactive.co.nz/halberg-inclusion-training or contactHalbergAdviser of North Harbour andNorthland, Rhys Edwardsatrhys@halberg.co.nz or on 022043 5308.

AgeConcern

AgeConcernWhangareiServices

Promotingtherightsandwellbeingof olderpeopleandthosewhocarefor them.How?Enablingpeopletoremaina home&feelsupported&secure.Onedoesnot havetobe65yearsorolder,nortobeamembe ofAgeConcernWhangareitoaccessanyofthe services.

DedicatedCarerReliefService:Designedto preventstress&providesocialreliefforfull-tim carers,allowingfreetimefortheirownneeds, enablingastress-freebreakeachweek.

HomeMaintenanceAdvisoryService: Adviceregardingsituationinthehomewhere improvementormaintenanceisneeded.Talk withourAdvisoryofficerforfurtheradviceand assistance.

FieldCoordination:Information,Advocacy andSupportbyphone,email,byappointmen inoffice,orownhome.Weseektohelpwith issuesbyassistingclienttocorrectservice provider.Advocacyserviceprovidessupportto resolveissues

TotalMobility:Assessmentforeligibilityof subsidisedtaxifaresforthosewithdisabilities/ healthproblems.Otheroptionsarediscussed,if noteligible.

HealthPromotion/Education:Currentlyon hold;Membersreceivenewsletterswithgood informationofwhatisavailable

Resources:Membersreceiveregular newsletters.Twowallboardsofbrochureson pertinenttopics&detailsofserviceproviders,

availabletoolderpersons

WeeklyGarageSale:onsiteonThursday’s from9.30a.m-12noon.Donationsgratefully received

WanttoVolunteer?Rangeofpositions available.Wearealwaysgratefulfortime offered

AgeConcernWhangareiisanNGOandwe needtoraiseourownfunding.Weappreciate andwelcomemembershipfromindividuals, Agencies&businesses,donationsandbequests

Receptionisopenfrom9amMondayto Fridayat16ManseStreet,Regent Phone:4388043or0800652105 email:info@ageconcernwhg.org.nz

Equipment for Purchace and Rental

•Walker& Wheelchairs

• Mobility Scooters /Power Chairs

• NZ MadeAdjustable Beds

• Lift Chairs &Cushions

• Daily LivingEquipment

• Bathroom Equipment

• PatientHandlingEquipment

• Mobility/ Access Ramps

Trainingand Presentations

At Dynamic Healthcare the ownershave over35years experience in the Healthcare industry

• PatientHanding Training

• Falls Prevention

• Access ProductsAssessment

Take thesteptoworkwith peoplefacing challengesin life

NorthTecgivesyoutheopportunityto studylocallyandgainaqualificationto workwithpeoplethatneedyourcaring supportthemost.Ifyou’vebeenlookingfora changeindirectionorwanttomakethemost ofthelifeexperiencesyou’vehad,lookintoour nursingandsocialworkpathways.

Ourthree-yearnursingdegreewillenable youtogointoworkinawidevarietyofhealth settings,fromhospital-basednursingtowork inthecommunity.Youcanchoosetogointo workhelpingandsupportingpeoplewith mentalorphysicalhealthissueswitharangeof Northlandemployers.You’llstudywithpeople ofallages,fromallbackgroundsandwalksof life,whoarebroughttogetherbytheircaring natureandtheirdesiretogivesomethingback tothecommunity.Studyincludesamixof classroomandonlinelearningaswellaswork placement ndexperienc

Entrance,don’tletthatstopyou.TheNew ZealandCertificateinStudyandCareer Preparation(Level4)hasafocusonhealth, socialservicesorenvironmentalscience. TaughtinKaitaia,KerikeriandWhangārei,it’s agreatintroductiontoanyofthesedegree programmesandwillhelpyoubrushupyour studyskillsandbuildyourconfidence.

TheNewZealandCertificateinHealthand Wellbeing(MentalHealthandAddictions)is aLevel4qualificationyoucanalsostudyin Whangārei,KerikeriorKaitaia.It’ssomething

ofavoyageofdiscovery,asyoulearnabout yourselfasyoulearntohelpothers.Many studentsonthisprogrammedrawontheir ownpersonalandfamilyexperienceswhile studyinghowtobestprovideprofessional supporttoothers.

NorthTec’sBachelorofAppliedSocial Workdegreeisafour-yearprogrammewhich preparesyouforacareerworkingwithsome ofNewZealand’smostvulnerablepeople.Our degreerespondstothespecificandcurrent demandswithinTeTaiTokerautohelpyou worktoimprovethelivesofindividuals, whānauandcommunities.

Study in the following areas:

•Business •Project Management

•Leadership and Management •Information Technology

Aflexible online learningservice that gives you the opportunitytogain NZQAaccredited courses and qualifications. Learn from anywhere at atimethat suits your lifestyle with their easy to use online learning portal.

Promoting Abilities

Rhonda’sNorthTecjourney growsconfidenceand capability

RandWellbeing(SocialandCommunity Services)(Level4)withamentalhealthand addictionsupportstrandatNorthTec.When shefinishesattheendoftheyear,she’dlike tofindpart-timeworkoutsidethedisability sector.“IfeellikeI’vegotmoretoshowinother areas,andIalsoplantocontinuestudying. EitheraBachelorofAppliedSocialWorkora psychologydegree.”

OneofthereasonsRhondachosetolearn

atNorthTecwasthelevelofsupportfrom hertutor,supportstaffandthedisability advocacythattakesplaceatNorthTec.Rhonda says,“thestaffareveryapproachable,very accommodating,verysupportiveandIfeltlike therewasagoodcommunityofstudents.Ifind myselfworkingwithmanystudentsformany differentsubjects.Notjusttheonesinvolving socialworkbutalsosciencesandpsychology. Ireallylovethewellroundednessandthe inclusivityofNorthTec.”

Beingabletostayhomewithherfamily

andstudylocallywasalsoahugebenefit Duringherlearning,Rhondahasreached outtodisabilitysupportstaffwhohavebeen responsivetoanyissuesthathavearisen. Modificationshavebeenmadetooneofthe campustoilets(eventhoughRhondaspends mostofhertimeinanotherstudentblock),and changestoaclassroomlocationwerereviewed becauseofpotentialaccessissuesforRhonda NorthTechasonlinefacilitiesthatallowed Rhondatocontinueherworkevenduring somedifficultpersonalandhealthissues. “Iwasstillabletoattendandgivefeedback whererequired,andmytutorstayedintouch allthewaythrough.”Sherecommendsnew studentsutilizeallthesupporttoolsthey mightneed-updates,accessaroundcampus, technology,libraryservices,counsellingor health.

Inspiteofitbeingintimidatingatthe beginning,andabigchallengetotakeon, RhondasaysNorthTechaschangedalot ofthingsforher.“It’smademeswitchmy perspectivesaboutmycapabilitiesasan individual.AsIprogressedwithmystudiesand thefriendshipsI’vebuilt,Ialsoprogressedasa personandmyconfidencegrew.Itjustmade mefeelmorecapablethankstothesupport andlovingcommunitythatNorthTecis.”

Semester 2starts on the 26th July, so it is not too late to get yourself astep towards the job you have always wanted.

With many different delivery options NorthTec has got something for you.

CancerSociety

CancerSociety-Awhimai,awhiatu

It’sraretomeetsomeonewhohasn’tbeen impactedbycancer–eitherthroughtheir owndiagnosis,orthatofafriendorfamily member

Cancerpatientsandtheirwhanauneed someonetheycanturnto.TheCancerSociety isheretoprovidethatsupport.Weareafree serviceandanyonecanspeaktooursmallteam ofdedicatedandexperiencednursesbyphoning 0800366066,orcallingintoDaffodilHouse,73 KamoRd,Whangarei.Someofournursessit withinMaoriproviderstoreducethebarriers peoplemayfaceinaccessingourservice.We providecare,support,comfortandhopeto peopleaffectedbycancer,fromdiagnosis, throughtreatment,toposttreatment.The CancerSocietyalsohasadrivingservicewhich canhelppeoplegettoappointments.

Peoplewhoneedcomplexchemotherapyor radiationtreatmentinAucklandcanstayatour CancerSocietyaccommodationfacility,Domain LodgeinAuckland.

Thisyearwearepromotinganewprogramme calledkiaoraEteIwi,awanangastyleone dayprogrammefor6-20peopleinpartnership withMaoricommunitiesororganisations.The programmeisdesignedtoraiseawarenessabout cancer,cancerservicesandprevention.We providetheprogrammespeakers,facilitatorsand kai.Thepartnershiporganisationprovidesthe venueandpeopletoattend.Ifyouareinterested pleasephoneJenniMoore021438610.

TheCancerSocietyisreliantonthegenerosity ofNorthlanderstocontinueourservices. Northlandhasshowntheirsupporteveryyearby theirengagementwithDaffodilDayandatour RelayforLifeevents

Promoting Abilities

Welcometothe WhangareiRDA

Inthelate1970’stheWhangareiGroupRiding fortheDisabledOrganisationbegan.Thegroup movedmanytimesbeforefinallysettlinginthe BargeShowGrounds,Maunuin1994.Withthe assistanceoftheASBTrustandlocalbusinessesa newcomplexwasbuiltcomprisingoftwocovered arenas,stablesandyards,anadministrationblock andarelocatedcaretakerscottage.

Weprovideatherapeuticridingand horsemanshipprogramtodevelopincreased abilityandself-esteeminchildrenandadultswith physical,intellectualandbehaviouraldifficulties.

Weoperate4daysperweekduringtheschool term.

TheRDAreliesheavilyonvolunteerhelp Financiallyweoperateusingacombinationof grants,donations,riderfees,rent,arenahireage, plantsales,andadvertising.Thesecoverour operatingcostsofover$180,000peryearandthat doesn’tincluderepairsandmaintenanceprojects, capitalworksorreplacementhorses!

TheWhangareiGroupRDAisaffiliatedtothe NewZealandRidingfortheDisabledAssociation whosupportuswithinformation,trainingand somenationalfundraisinginitiativessuchasthe GingerbreadHorseWeek

AboutUs

Weareanot-for-profitorganisationthat providesservicestodisabledchildrenand youngadultsintheWhangareiarea

Thereare4paidstaff–BusinessManager, CoachingManager,StableManagerandPart

TimeStableAssistant

Ourherdof9horses, theRDAowns,rangeina from5yearsto22years

Wehaveover100riders onourbooksandareable ride80eachterm.

Peopleapplyfromschools, physios,occupational therapists,doctors,hospit andparents/grandparent

Eachriderhasa programmeworkedout accordingtotheirparticulargoalsandeach termwereassessthesegoalsandmakenew ones.

workingtowardsachievingtheirnextsetof goals.

Wehavethesupportofadedicated committee,wonderfulvolunteersandfinancial supportfrompublicdonationsandgrantsfrom aroundthecommunity.Wealsoraisefunds fromthehireofourArenaandfunctionroom.

Howcanyouhelp?

Someparents/caregivers/schoolsareunable topaythefeesforatermforalotofreasons. Weneverwanttohavetostoponeofourriders fromridingbecausenoonecanpayfortheir fees.

Weareaskingthepublic,businesses,clubsif theyareabletohelpbysponsoringariderfor1 termorall4terms.

Itisveryrewardingtowatchyourrider’s progressing,reachingtheirgoalsandthen

Whatdoyougetinreturn???Yougetthe knowledgethatyouarehelpingsomeonetodo somethingtheythoughtwasimpossible.

Youwillgetareportattheendofeachterm lettingyouknowwhattheridersgoalswere andhowfartheygottoachievingthesegoals.

Somepeoplewanttoremainanonymous, whichisfine,andsotheridersparents/ caregiverswillnotbeawareofwhoyouare. Usuallytheywriteathankyounoteattheend ofeachtermtoletyouknowthatitisvery muchappreciated.

Ifyouwouldliketo,youcancomeandmeet yourrider,watchthemattheirsessionand meetmum/dad/caregiver

Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformation pleasephoneJanineon094387521.

“NoProblem, You’re Welcome” is atrainingworkshop and videowhich focuses on how to provide excellent customer service to people with disabilities when they enter your place of business or health services.

Didyou know that24percent of NewZealanders areconsideredtohaveadisability?

Thatpotentiallyrepresentsonequarterofyourcustomer/clientbase–areyourstaffequippedwiththe rightcustomerservice skills to ensure apositivecustomerexperiencefor everyone?

Whoisthe workshop for?

Thistwohourcustomerserviceskillstrainingworkshopisidealforretailers,healthserviceproviders, Government,Non-GovernmentOrganisations(NGOs)andotherbusinessesororganisationstoimprove thelevelofdisabilityawarenesswiththeirfrontlinestaff.Wetailor-makethetrainingtosuittheprovider.

Theseinclude:

•HealthService Providers

•Non-Government Organisations(NGOs)

•Local/RegionalCouncils

•Government Departments

•DisabilityServices

•RetailStores/Restaurants

•Gyms, Poolsand FitnessCentres

•Legal andAccounting Professionals

If youwanttoensureyourteamisproviding excellentcustomerservice to 100% of the people who come through your door,contact Tiaho Trust forinformation andpricing options. EmailArleneCarter:arlene@tiaho.org.nz

About the “No Problem, You’re Welcome” workshop

TiahoTrustrepresentsthedisabledcommunityhereinNorthland.Ouraiminproducingthisworkshop wastoprovide understandingfor servicestaff in howtoengagewithdisabledpeopleasconsumers, includingolder people as they become less mobile or developphysical impairmentsastheyage

The “No Problem You’re Welcome” training workshop uses real examples of people’sexperiences as consumers with adisability.

This is ashort andcost-effective meansofproviding professional developmentfor staffthatcan have Each of ourworkshopfacilitatorsare people withadisability. They offerrealinsightsinhow to be providing excellentcustomerservice to disabled peopleinthe same wayasfor allyourcustomers

Regional Business Partners 50% training voucher

This workshopcomesunder theNZTECapabilityDevelopment Vouchers scheme. You canapply forthisthrough NorthlandInc.and theNorthlandChamber of Commerce Regional Business Partnership.

“Havingmadethe “Noproblem, you’re welcome’ sessions availabletoall of our operationalstaff,itwas exceptionallywellreceived. Facilitators,Wally andKim really broughtthe contenttolifemakingthe learning funand memorable. Commentssuchas“I’d neverreally thoughtabout that…”wereasure sign that newways of thinking andacting will result from theworkshops.”

Michael Boyd, Manager -Learning &Development, FarNorth DistrictCouncil

“Jonny andhis team at TiahoTrust have been providingDisability Responsiveness Training to our2nd year nursingstudentsatNorthTecfor thepast 5 years now. Thesession provided to us hasbeentailoredtosuitthe learning needsofthe students andmeetour objectives.Facilitatorsare knowledgeable,entertainingand connect with theclass ensuring asense of whanaungatanga anda safe learning space. Feedback from thestudentsisalways positiveand they particularly appreciatelearning from people who are‘living theexperience’and feel theinformationand strategies provided will enhancetheir abilitytoworkwithpeople who have disabilities.”

Linda Christian RN,MN, Senior NursingLecturer,NorthTec

2021-2022

CALENDAROFEVENTS

AUGUST2021

20th

TiahoTrust“GettingOutThereExpo”ForumNorth 28th CancerSocietyDaffodilDay

SEPTEMBER2021

1st-30th

WorldAlzheimer’sMonth

1st-30th MuscularDystrophyAwareness

1st-30th

CharcotMarieTooth(CMT)AwarenessMonth(partofMDA)

7th DuchenneMuscularDystrophyAwarenessDay

13th–19th

MultipleSclerosisAwarenessWeekandStreetAppealwww.msnz.org.nz

15th InternationalMyotonicDystrophyDay

Datetobeconfirmed Alzheimer’sMemoryWalk–Dargaville,KerikeriandWhangarei-Roundtheloopwww.alzheimers.org.nz 21stWorldAlzheimer’sDaywww.alzheimers.org.nz

19th–25th

21st-28th

WorldAlzheimer’sDaywww.alzheimers.org.nz

ArthritisAwarenessWeekwww.arthritis.org.nz

23rdUnitedNationsInternationalDayofSignLanguages

30th LimbGirdleMuscularDystrophyAwarenessDay

OCTOBER2021

1st31stCerebralPalsyAwarenessMonth

1stInternationalDayofOlderPersonwww.ageconcern.org.nz

6th TiahoTrust/AgeConcernKaitaiaSeniorsExpo StrokeAwarenessWeekwww.stroke.org.nz

10th WorldMentalHealthDaywww.mentalhealth.org.nz

12th WorldArthritisDay 14th WorldSightDay

22nd-23rdBlindStreetCollection

29th WorldStrokeDay

NOVEMBER2021

NovtoFebWalk2D’FeetMND

7th ScoottheLoopforMS

20th NorthlandMSSocietyAGM

DECEMBER2022

3rdInternationalDayofPeoplewithDisabilities-TiahoTrustcelebration 10th WorldHumanRightsDaywww.amnesty.org.nz

JANUARY2022

4th WorldBrailleDay

FEBRUARY2022

1st–28th HeartAwarenessMonth 14th AnnualInternationalEpilepsyDaywww.epilepsy.org RuakakaSurfDay(Datetobeannounced) 28th RareDiseaseDay

MARCH2022

1st–31stNeurologicalBrainAwarenessMonth

21stDownSyndromeAwarenessDaywww.nzdsa.org.nz

EndofMarch BlindFoundationGuideDogRedPuppyAppeal

26th EpilepsyAwareness“PurpleDay”www.purpleday.org

APRIL2022

2nd WorldAutismAwarenessDaywww.autismnz.org.nz

2nd-7th

Promoting Abilities

2021-2022

CALENDAROFEVENTS

Parkinson'sSocietyAwarenessandAppealWeekwww.parkinsons.org.nz

11th WorldParkinson’sDaywww.parkinsons.org.nz

MAY2022

1stweek

NZSignLanguageWeek

1st-31stHuntington’sAwarenessMonth

10thMay WorldLupusDay

30th WorldMultipleSclerosisAwarenessDaywww.worldmsday.org

JUNE2022

1st-30th HeartKidsMonth

1st-30th MNDAwarenessMonth 20th FSHDystrophyDay

21stGlobalALS/MNDAwarenessdaywww.mnda.org.nz

JULY2022

Parkinson’sNorthlandSUPPORTGROUPSBrainInjuryAssociationNorthlandSUPPORTGROUPS

Kerikeri-monthly

Kaitaia–monthly

Whangarei–1stFridaymonthly

Kerikeri–1stThursdaymonthly

Dargaville–2ndThursdaymonthly

Kaitaia–3rdThursdaymonthly Dargaville–1stThursday,(alternativemonthCoffeeGroup)

Whangarei–ThelastThursdaymonthly Waipu–3rdFridaymonthly

AndmonthlyCarerSupportGroupsinWhangareiandWaipu.

WeeklyExerciseGroups:Walking,Singing/voicetraining, Hydrotherapy,Physiotherapy,BallroomDance,Movementfor PDandTaiChi(Kerikeri)Counterpunch(WhangareiandKerikeri)

Alzheimer’sNorthlandSupportGroupsStrokeFoundationNorthlandSupportGroups Whangarei–1stWednesdayofthemonth(1pm-2.30pm)

Whangarei–EveryTuesdayHydrotherapyClasses And2ndThursdayofthemonth(10am-11.30)

Ngunguru–3rdTuesdayofthemonth(9.30am-11am)

Onerahi–1stTuesdayofthemonth(10am-11.30)

Kerikeri–3rdWednesdayofthemonth(10am-12pm)

Kaitaia–2ndWednesdayofthemonth(10am-12pm)

Mangawhai-2ndWednesdayofthemonth(11am-1pm)

Dargaville–2ndWednesdayofthemonth(10am-12pm)

BreamBay-1stWednesdayofthemonth(10am-12pm)

Paihia-fortnightlyThursday(10am-12pm)

Every3rdWednesdayStrokeClub

EveryFridayToastmasterGavelClubGroup

YoungStrokeSurvivorsGroup

Dargaville–1stMondayofthemonthStrokeSurvivors

Kaitaia–EveryFridayArtTherapy

EveryThursdayChatGroup

Arthritis20+NorthlandSupportGroupsMultipleSclerosisNorthlandSupportGroup

Whangarei-1stSaturdayofthemonth

EveryThursdayexerciseclass

Whangarei–FirstThursdayofthemonth

MidNorth/Kerikeri–BiMonthly

Ouraim is to provideinformation & supportoptionsthatare relevant, useful to youand assist you inmeeting yourgoals.

We are here to:

• Navigate throughsupport service & agencies

• •Advise youwithyourdecisionmaking

•Assist you with your wellbeing and wellness

P 0508 637 200 |40-42 &73JohnStreet,Whangarei

E northable@northable.org.nz

F ‘northabledisabilitiesservices’ |‘equipmentplusnz’ www.northable.org.nz | www.equipmentplus.org.nz

EquipmentAgencyatfar NorthPharmacy

P 09 408 0851 |3 Commerce Street, Kaitaia

“Tobethe

innovativeand leading provider of equipment informationand support services in Northland”

OurServices:

Equipment for Sale &Hire

Mobile VanService

Community Presentations

NASC -NeedsAssessment Coordination Service

DIAS-Disability Information Advisory Service

LYNKZ- CommunityParticipation Programme(Whangarei, Kaitaia, Kerikeri, Kaikohe, Opononi)

VHN-Very High needs

TransitionService

Navigation Service

Whangarei Budget Services

Tupunga Hakamana Hakarerekē Hakakaha