Getting Out There - 2020-21

What makesa Good life 2020 -21

Information &Services

Relating to disabilityinNorthland

Linkingpeople,familiesandcarersliving with adisabilitytoinformation,adviceand supportintheir community.

Visit www.tiaho.org.nz/support findoutmore aboutwhatservicestheseorganisations provideinNorthland.

In Northland,thereare arangeoforganisationsproviding aDisabilityInformation AdvisoryService. Theseareknown asthe ‘NorthlandDIAS Collective’. Tiaho Trustsupportstheseorganisations by helping to improvetheaccess to andutilizationoftheir informationandservicesinNorthland foryouand yourfamilies/whanau.TiahoTrustis your firstpointof callif youare unsurewho tocontactorhaveany questions,calluson: FREEPHONE:08004303406.

TheDIAS Collectiveprovidesvariousservicesabout aspecificdisability, ordisabilityingeneral,suchas:

• Adviceandinformation

• Advocacy

• Communityeducationand awareness

• Supportgroupsandnetworking

• Homevisits

• Access to healthprofessionals

• Referralsandassessments

• Equipment

• Seminars/workshops

• Resources

Together,TiahoTrustandthe DIAS Collective, empowertheNorthland communitybypromotingthedisabled communityasvaluedcitizenswho contribute, participate andadd to thediversityofNew Zealandsociety.

ForDIAS contactdetailsplease 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

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 KhyberPassRoad,Newton, 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 Phone: 09 415 5682

Mob: 021 704 227 info@mda.org.nz www.mda.org.nz

NorthAble www.tiaho.org.nz/northable

40 John Street, Whangarei

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

Equipment Showroom: (09) 430 3469 73, John Street www.equipmentplus.org.nz

LYNKZ

CommunityParticipation Programme

40 John Street, Whangarei Freephone: 0508 637 200

Parent to Parent Northland 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 Box641, Whangarei 0141

Phone: (09) 437 6876

Freephone: 0800 473 4636 northland@parkinsons.org.nz

Whangarei/North vicki.sadgrove@parkinsons.org.nz Whangarei/South barbara.leslie@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

Disability AMatterof Perception

Tiaho Trust

Eachyear Tiaho Trustproducethis magazine‘GettingOutThere’to highlightwhatdisabilityservicesare availablethroughoutNorthland.Notonly do weprofile15disabilitysupportorganisations butwealsoprovidestoriesaboutpeople whousetheirservices.Wehavebeen producingthemagazineforthelasttwelve years.Ifyou’reorganisationwantsbein nextyear’spublication pleasecontactus. Thisyearour magazineisfocusingonthe questionof“Whatmakes agoodlife?”for peoplewith adisabilityinNorthland.Having agoodlifeis somethingeveryonestrives for,disabledpeopleincluded.Sometimes disabledpeopleneedsomesupportand acceptancetoachieve agoodlife andthe articlesinthis magazineprovideaninsight intothat.

Thisyear’sGettingOutTherewill showcasehow theNorthland DIAS Collectivecontributesto disabledpeople havinggoodlivesinNorthland.

Thisyear’sproductionofthemagazine hasbeenhistoricbecauseitwascompiled inthemidstof theunprecedentedlockdown inNewZealandduetheCovid19virus pandemic.Theinterviewsforpersonal profilewereconductedoverthephone. Drafts,proofsandphotoswerecoordinated viaemail.It wasallproduced remotely.

Tiaho Trustprovides afreeindependent advocacyservicetodisabledpeopleortheir familymembers.Ifdisabledpeopleortheir familymembersfeellikeyou’rebeingtreated unfairlybecauseofyourdisabilityoryoufeel

youaren’tgettingthesupportsorservices youareentitledto,contact Tiaho Trust.

We werescheduled to runself-advocacy workshopsintheMidandFarNorthand inWhangareiinthe nearfuture.They aimtogive disabledpeopleandtheir familiesresourcesandskillstobeableto advocateforthemselvestoensurethey areaccessingallthe supportstheyare entitledtoo.Howeverduetotheimpactof theCovid19virusanduncertainty at the timeofpublishedthismagazinewehave postponedthemtoearlynextyear.

Tiaho Trustendeavours to makeour community more inclusiveanduserfriendly todisabledpeoplebyprovidingtheir “NoProblem, You’reWelcome”Disability AwarenessCustomerService Trainingtoa varietyof organisations. We utilisefacilitators withlivedexperienceofdisabilitiestodeliver thistrainingusingexamplestheir ownlives toeducatesorganisationsonhowtodeliver excellentcustomerservicetothelarge marketsegmentinour community.

We canalsoprovidetrainingforHealth Professionalswhichin2019wasendorsed bytheRoyalNewZealandCollegeof GeneralPractitioners(RNZCGP). Training canbetailor madeon request.

Tiaho Trustis adisabledledorganisation thatisproactiveinprovidingadvice, educationandtrainingtodevelop communitiesthatareinclusiveofdisabled peopleandwhovaluetheircontributionto thecommunityofNorthland.

Ouraimistoprovideanenvironment whereweareresponsive,thatpeoplefeel included,andsupportiveofpeoplewith intellectualdisabilitiestofeelempowered withthechoicestheymakeintheirlives. OurServicesarecenteredontheperson andtheirwha¯nauand families.

Theseinclude: SupportedLiving: We supportpeopleintheirdailyliving,to participateintheircommunityandtake controloftheir ownlife and maketheirown decision.StuartJenkinsstates“

Tiaho Trust GroundFloor TaiTokerauMaori TrustBoard Building 3-5HuntStreet /POBox374 Whangarei Phone 094303406

Freephone 08004303406

Email info@tiaho.org.nz

Web www.tiaho.org.nz

Fb Tiaho Trust Disability AMatterofPerception

Disability AMatterof Perception

DavidSenior

DavidSeniorisa well known communityleaderinKaitaia.Heis wellknownbecauseheisinvolved withcommunityorganisations.Heisactually involvedinquiteafewofthem, bothpast andpresent.Currentlyheisoneight boardsandcommittees.Animpressive amount.TheyareThe FarNorthRegional Museum Trust,KaitaiaBudgetingServices, NorthlandKindergartenAssociation,Far NorthDisabilityResourceCentre,Far North District CouncilDisabilityAdvisoryGroup, Te HikuSportsHubIncorporated,Elevate (ChristianDisability Trust)andlastbut certainlynotleast Tiaho Trust.Davidhas beenonourBoardofTrusteesforthelast fifteenyears.Allofthe Trusteesonthe Tiaho Boardhaveanimpairmentofsomekind,it’s ourKaupapa.

Davidisblind.HewasborninCambridge withCongenitalGlaucoma.Whilehewas deemedasbeinglegally blind,hestillhad partialvisioninoneeye.David’sparents weredairyfarmersandwhenDavidwas eightyearsold,DavidboardedattheHomai School. HomaiSchoolwas(andstillis)a residentialschoolforlowvision,blindand deafblindchildren.Oneofthe reason’s Davidstartedschoollatewasbecause hecontractedPolioandneededtimeto recover.

Whileattheboardingschool,hewould mixwithother childrenwhowereblindand oftenthink“howdotheydoit”and“how horribleitwouldbe”.

Hewaslearninghowto readusingbooks

withlargetextuntiltheageof13whenhe hadanaccidentattheschool.WhenDavid tellsthestoryoftheaccidentit’shardnot tobeastonishedatironyofitandhowit happenedat aschoolfortheblind.

Beingoneof27Junior boysatthe boardingschoolandonly 6showersthey wouldalwaysracetobethefirst(guess thiswastoget ahotshowerversus acold shower).Thereweremetalpegsonthe sideofthe wallwhereyou couldhangyour personalitems. On thisoccasionDaviddid wintherace,but whenheenthusiastically bentdownoneofthemetal hooksjabbed intohislefteye,hisgoodeye.Itcaused

AccommodationServices:

Inresidentialservicessmall groups of peoplelivein ahomeinourcommunity.In TeTaiTokerau we have31residentialhomes throughoutourbeautifulregion.

AtIDEAServices weareallaboutPeople. Throughout TeTaiTokerauweemploymore

irreversibledamagetohisopticnerve.

He remembersgoinghomefortheEaster holidayson abusandwakingupinthe morningtellinghisparentsthathissightwas more blurredthanusual. Theytoldhimthat unfortunatelythiswouldgetworse untilhe lostallsightinthateyeas well,leaving him completelyblind.Thistwistoffatesounds diabolical,butDavidisphilosophicalabout his blindness. At thetimehestruggledemotionally but foundstrengthandcomfort whenhe discoveredChristianity.Herealisedhewas inthesamepositionastherestoftheblind studentsandthathewouldneedtolearnnew mobilityskillsusing acaneandbraille.

David haslivedinKaitaiaforthelast 27years. Whathe reallyenjoysisgetting involvedlocallyinthecommunityata Governancelevel.Helikesthemental stimulation.Hefeelsheisnotonlyaccepted aspartofthecommunitybutvaluedbyhis community.Hesays“tobevaluedyouhave tocontribute,andyouhave to earnit.Ifyou wantpeopletovalueyou,youneedtobe seenouttheredealingwithallissuesthe good,badandugly.It’sabouthavingthat visibilityinthecommunity”.

Whatmakes agoodlifeaccordingto Davidistobevaluedbyhiscommunity. To becommitted to hiscommunity.His Christianfaith.Hisfamily(wifefourchildren andfourgrandchildren)aremoreimportant tohimthananymaterialthings.

He’salsoproudtobeonthe Tiaho Trust Boardandloveswhatwearedoingforthe community.

than250peopletoworkalongsidefamiliesandthe peoplethatneedoursupport.

Ifyoulovepeopleandsupportingpeopletoreach their potential,thenyoushouldconsiderworking withIDEAServices.Our Supportworkersare wellsupportedwithtraininganddevelopment opportunitiesthatleadto aformalqualification. Contact us oncareers.ihc.org.nz

Disability AMatterof Perception

AlzheimersNorthland

Thejourneyof apersonwith dementiacan bemuchimprovedif theprimarycaregiver isabletohavegood supportand regular breaks.

KevinSalmon, ofAlzheimersNorthland,sayswell rested caregiversmakesthewholejourneydifferent forallconcerned.

Thereisalargecommunalareawithinthe centre, aTVloungeandalso aquiet room forclientswhoneed arestorone-on-one sessionswithstaff.

Usually,adayprogrammerunsMonday toFridayfrom10amto3pmandisavailable topeopleintheWhangareidistrictwho havebeendiagnosedwithdementiaand efundedbytheWhangareiDistrictHealth Board.Clientscanattendseveraltimes perweekdependingontheirneedsorthe needsoftheircarers.

betterandtheirhealthbouncesback.’’

Anotheroptionis respitecare,where theclientgoesinto aspecialistfacilityfora coupleofweeksat atime.

“Thecommonarrangementissixweeks athomeandtwoweeksincare.Thereare differentoptionsavailabledependingonthe levelofcareneeded.

“Thisgivesthecarer achanceto rechargetheirbatteriessotheyarereadyfor thenexttime.’’

“Weseesomanytimesthatcaregivers willtryandsoldieronforaslongaspossible attheexpenseoftheirownhealth.

“Inmanycases,thesearethespouses whotaketheirmarriagevowstocarefor eachother‘insicknessandinhealth’very seriouslyandwetotallyunderstandthat.

“Butcaringforsomeonewithdementia is relentlessandexhausting.It’samarathon overmanyyears.It’snotbeingdisloyaland thereisnoneedtofeelguiltyaboutasking forhelpandtaking abreakeverynow again,’’hesays.

Alzheimer’sNorthlandprovides avital serviceforbothclientsandcarers.

“Whenwetalkaboutourclients,itisboth thepersonwithalzheimersandtheircarer. Bothneedsupport,”hesays.

Theorganisationhas apurpose-built facilityonCorksRoadin Tikipunga, Whangarei.

Thebuildinghasbeendesignedaround theneedsofclientswithdementia –it’sfully fenced,builtonflatlandtominimisehazards andfullysecure.

Thedayprogramme,or“AlzClub”,is speciallydesignedforpeoplewithdementia. Staffsetupprogrammedactivitiesthatare modifiedandadaptedtosuitalllevelsof abilities.

Cognitiveactivitiesareakeyfocuswithin theprogramme,consistingofwordgames, boardgames,cardsandpuzzles.Theyalso have regularcreativewritingsessionsand reminiscingtherapy.

Thereare manyphysicalandsocial activitiesincorporatedintoeachdayaswell ascommunityactivities.

Physicalactivitiesincludeminigolf,pool, bowlsorevenballoonvolleyballandthere isalso awiderangeofsocialactivities includingsing-alongs,musictherapy, themeddaysandbaking/cooking.

Kevinsayscarerscanhaveconfidence thattheirlovedonewillbewellcaredfor andtheycangoandhavesometimefor themselves.

“Wehavefoundthatpeoplewho takeadvantageofourservices findtheir relationshipsarebetterandtheycancope

Whenitisnolongersafefortheclientto remainathome,permanentcarecanalso bearranged.

Kevinsaystheyoungestclienttheyhave helpedwasdiagnosedintheirlate50s,and dementia’sprogresscantakemanyforms andevolveovermanyyears.

Whiletheorganisation’sregular programmesarecurrentlyunableto operate,thereisalotstillgoingonbehind thescenes,with regularphonesupport helpingtomakelifeforcarersandclientsa littleeasier.

Resourcesarealsoavailableonthe AlzheimersNorthlandwebsite, www.alzheimersnorthland.org.nz

AlzheimersSocietyNorthlandInc

Address POBox7027 Tikipunga0112 Phone 094387771

Web www.alzheimersnorthland.org.nz

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

AlzheimersNorthland Sally&PeterLawton

Itstartedabout sixyearsago whenSally Lawton’shusband,Peter,couldn’trecall placeshehadvisited.

“He’dsayhe’dneverbeentoreally familiarplaceslike TutukakaorMangonuiso Iknewsomethingwaswrong,’’shesays.

Ittook awhile before herfitandactive husbandwasdiagnosedwithAlzheimer’s disease,asinitiallyhe performedwellin tests,shesays.

Butfurthertesting afewmonthslater showedhisabilitieshaddropped.

“Dementia patientscanhavegooddays andbad days.They canplateauoutfora whileandthendeterioratesuddenly.

“Evennow my husbandlooksfineand isstill fit,buthecan no longerbe safeat home.’’

Sallysaysshe persistedformanyyears ashiscaregiverandeventually wore herself out.

“Webothgot chestinfections,andthis seemedtomakePeter’s symptoms worse aswell.Hewasconvincedtherewere peopleinthehouse.’’

Itbecameclearthatheneededtogointo permanentcareonce he was releasedfrom hospital.

“Ifelt so guiltyatfirstaswehavealways beensoclose,but now Iknowheissafe andthesupport Ihavereceivedfrom Alzheimer’sNorthlandoverthe yearshas beenamazing.’’

Sallyadvisesotherpeoplewhoarefacing thesamejourneytotakeadvantageof

Peterattendedthedaycentretwice aweek.

Sallysaysthesupportgrouphas been invaluable, with anopportunitytoshare ideasandadvice.

“It’saverygoodservice,’’shesays.

SallysaysshewouldsetPetertaskssuch asvacuumingorsweepingpathsas wellas regularwalks.

“Healways lovedgardeningandkeeping ourpropertyimmaculate,soheenjoyed theseactivities.’’

“Youneed alotofpatiencewhenyouare

“Routineisveryimportantand they need alotofsleep,’’shesays.

NowintheKamo Home,Peteris well cared for and she knowsheissafe.

“Thestaffthereare justamazing,and theyarepartofourfamilynow,’’ shesays.“I lookforwardtomyvisitswithhim acouple oftimes aweek,andwe’llspendseveral hourstogether.Andhestillhashisbeautiful manners,’’shesays.

ForSally,agoodlifeisknowingherloved oneiswellcaredforandsafe.

Arthritis Aleadingcauseofdisability

Arthritisis apainfulanddebilitating conditionforanyonebut forthose whoaretryingtoearnalivingthe difficultiescanbeevengreater. Theymayhaveproblemsgettingtime offworktogotospecialistappointments. Workersmayhavetouseupalltheirsick leaveortakeleavewithoutpaywhen copingwith a‘flare’.Sometimesit’s thephysicaldemandsoftheworkitself (standingorlifting)thataredifficult.Orit maybethenegativeperceptionsofwork colleaguesthataddtothestress.

Ontheotherhand,flexiblehours, modifiedequipment,understanding colleaguesandmanagerswhotakea positiveleadcango alongwaytowards makingsurethatworkplacesare accessibleandwelcoming forpeople witharthritis.

Atleast670,000NewZealanders areaffectedbyarthritisand49 percentofthoseareofworkingage. Musculoskeletaldisorderslikearthritis

areamongtheleadingcausesof disabilityand represent ahugefinancial burdentotheNewZealandhealth systemandtheeconomy.

ArthritisNewZealandprovides informationandsupportforpeoplewith allformsofarthritis,atanyage.While thereisnocure,mostpeoplecanlive fulfillingandproductiveliveswithearly intervention,goodtreatmentandselfmanagementtools.

We alsoadvocateforallthoseaffected byarthritis,includingfamilies,and providetrainingforhealthprofessionals throughworkshopsandseminars.

Arthritiseducatorsareavailableon 0800663463duringbusinesshours togiveadviceontreatments,pain management,employmentissuesand accesstoothersupportservices. Thereisanactivearthritissupport groupinWhangareiandwater-based exerciseclasses arerunindependentlyat theAquaticCentre.

ContactArthritisNewZealand Phone 0800663463 Website www.arthritis.org.nz VisitourFacebookpage Email info@arthritis.org.nz

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

NoreenMoorhouse

NoreenMoorhouse,ofOtangarei,has plenty of experiencewithlivingwith arthritis.

Shewasfirstdiagnosedwhenshe was 19yearsoldandpregnantwithherfirst child.

Sheisnowalmost90.

Andnowshehasthreeformsofarthritis: osteoarthritis,goutandpolymyalgia.All involvelivingwithpainandinflammation.

Noreensaysshehaslearned overthe yearstogowiththe flowinmanagingher symptoms.

“Iwakeupandthink,whatcan Igetdone today.Somedaysit’snotpossible to do much,but Ithinkit’simportanttoalwaystry anddosomething.’’

Osteoarthritisisthemostcommonform ofarthritis,affectingmillionsofpeople worldwide.The protectivecartilagethat cushionstheendsofbonesinjointsis damagedandcommonly affectshands, knees,hipsandspine.

ForNoreen,the diseasestartedinher kneeandovertheyearsthisprogressed tobothkneessothatsheneededtouse walkingsticksfromquite ayoungage. Despitebeingtoldsheneededknee replacementsinherlate40s,she finally gottheoperationsinherlate60s.

Shehasalso hadanoperationtoinsert platestocorrectarthriticdamagetoher spine.

Noreensaysanyformofarthritisinvolves painmanagement,andtherecanbesome relief usingdietormedication.

“Livingwithconstantpainisthehardest

for peopletoacceptandsomental health supportisvital,’’shesays.

Hermostusefulapplianceisanelectric canopenerandwhen herdaughterarrives withgroceries,shealwaysloosensthelids onjarsandpopstheminthefridge.

“Thesearethe sortofconcessionsthat needto be made.Andif Igetstuckopening something Icanalwaysaskoneofmylovely neighbours,’’shesays.

Noreensaysthe monthlyarthritissupport grou andisattendedbypeopl oflife.

ofpeoplewhomeettochatand“havea laughingmoan”.

“Itdoes cheeryou up andwecanshare ourexperiencesandany helpfuladvice.”

Noreensaysgroupmembershave formed abuddysystemwheretheyprovide supportforeachothertoattend medicalor specialistappointments.

“It’ssohelpfultohavesomeonebeside youwhounderstandswhat youare going

Safeguarding your Future

Enduring Powersof Attorney(“EPAs”)allowyoutodecidewholooksafter yourpropertyand welfareifyoulosetheabilitytodoit yourself.

Ourfirm offers WillandEPApackagedealsatcompetitiveprices.

ContactourwillsandEPAspecialist Cass Hayward todayfor afriendlychat.

Contactusforfurtherdetails 7Maunu Road,Whangarei P(09) 4373070| F(09)4372070

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

Welcometothe BlindLowVisionNZ Lifewithoutlimits Kahoree MutungakiteOra

BlindLow VisionNZisheretohelp. Ifyou, afamilymemberorfriend,is blindorexperiencingsightloss,we canprovidethesupportneededtohelp you faceyourfuturewithconfidence.

To become aclient,youcan register onlineoroverthephone.Onceyou’reset up,you’llbeabletoget awiderangeof support.

Thesesupportsmayinclude:

Library: We havecollectionsandservices availablethroughtheBlindLow VisionNZ

aneorguide dog,onp orprivatetransport.

DailyLife: We canhelpyouadjustto sightloss,beindependent,makethemost

Deafblindservices: If you’re experiencingdualsensoryloss,we’rehereto helpsupportyou -whereverinNewZealand you are.

Childrenand Youth: We offer arange ofsupportforchildrenwhoareblindorlow visionandseektoempowerouryoung clientstoliveindependentlyandfulfiltheir potential.Andifyou’retheparentof achild whoisblindorlowvision,we’reheretohelp youtoo.

BusinessesandProfessionals: We offer arangeofservicestohelpbusinesses andeducationalinstitutions.Ifyouemploy orteach apersonwhoisblindorhaslow visionorwanttoimproveyouraccessibility, wecanhelp.

We lookforwardtomeetingyouand helpingwithyourvisionneeds.

Youwillfindusat: 277KamoRoad,Whangarei Phone 094371199

Officehours Monday,Tuesday, ThursdayandFriday9amto2pm. Ifyouhaveanyquestions,callour teamon0800243333oremail generalenquiries@blindlowvision.org.nz.

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

Alifeofmusicbutnotcolour

Imagineifyoucouldn’tpicturethecolourof daffodilsorthecolour of theocean.

Kerry Greenfield,55,istotally blind. ShehasaneyeconditioncalledRFL or retrolentalfibroplasia.Shewasborn prematurelyandgiventoomuchoxygen whichcausedherblindness.

“Iamtotallyblind,buthavelight

perception,whichcomesinhandy,asIcan tellif Iamina built-uporopenarea, bythe lightandsoundchanges.

“Iamunabletoimaginecoloursthough, as Ithink apersonwouldneedto have hadsightinthepast,inordertobeableto understandexactlywhatcoloursare.”

Whileshecan’timaginecolours,herlife

isjoyfulandmusicplays abigpartinthat. Sheplaystheelectricaccordionandinnonpandemictimesyoucanoften find Kerry buskinginWhangarei.

“Thething Ilikeaboutmusicisthefact that Icanlistentowhateverstylematches themood Iaminatthe time.

“Also,I’malwayshappytohear when peoplearoundmeenjoythemusic Iplay whileI’m buskingorplayingatresthomes.”

Kerryhas recordedtwoalbumsandplans to recordagospelalbumthisyear.

Ahobbyshehasisknitting –she’sknitted alotoverthe years –scarfs, hatsand cardigans.

“Iamableto readtheknittingpatternsin brailleandcan usuallyfollowthem.SomeI braillemyself.Others Ihaveobtainedfrom emaillists.”

Sheencouragespeoplelivingwithsight losstogiveBlindLow VisionNZ acallfor support.

“Askthemwhateverquestionsyouhave. BlindLow VisionNZhave awiderangeof serviceswhichcanhelp.”

Most recentlyKerryhas usedtheir adaptivetechnologysupportservicetohelp hersetupheriPhone8anduseDropbox onherPC.

Ifyouorsomeoneyouknow could benefitfromBlind Low VisionNZ’svision rehabilitationservices,call08002433 33 or emailinfo@blindlowvision.org.nz

• OphthalmicEyeExaminations

• CataractExtractionandlensimplant

• PterygiumExcisionplusconjunctivegraft

• Injection forwetagerelatedMacularDegeneration

• Glaucomatreatment • Cataractsurgery

EyeSpecialists: DavidDalzielandAndrew Watts

Phone:09-9727022

12 Kensington Ave,Whangarei

Email:pceyes@xtra.co.nz

Website:www.bit.do/EyeCentre

The BrainInjuryAssociation

BrainInjury….isoftencalledthe“silent epidemic”andreferredtoasa “hiddeninjury”asmoreoftenthannot thereare nooutwardlyvisiblechangestoa personafter abraininjury.

Itis reportedthat aperson receivesa braininjuryevery15minutes.BrainInjury istheleadingcauseofdeathanddisability inNZ.

Abraininjurycanhavelifechanging resultsforboththeinjuredpersonandtheir family /whanau.

Thecausesofbraininjuryaremany andvaried,mostare duetofalls38%, followedbycrashesandassaults.Itcanbe verydifficulttopredictwhatthelong-term outlookmightbeaseveryperson;every injuryandevery recoveryisdifferent.People withbraininjuriesareoftenseenaslazyor hardtogetalongwithbyfamilyandfriends.

Theirpersonalitymayhavechanged,they cannolongerprocessinformationquickly andmakepoordecisions.Fatigueaffects over70%ofpeoplewithbraininjuryand wouldbetheleading reasonwhypeople struggletoworkandenjoyleisureactivities.

TheBrainInjuryAssociationNorthland provides asafe,barrierfreeserviceto supportandassistpeopleunderstandand navigatethroughtheconfusingaftermath ofaninjury,thisincludesboththeindividual withtheinjury,aswellasthefamilyand supporters.

Increasingunderstandingwilldirectly preventunnecessaryinjuriesandminimise theextentofaninjurywhereprotectionand goodsenseprevail.

Whenpeopleunderstandthefearcanbe diminished.Educationbringsunderstanding andenablespeoplelivingwithbraininjury

tobettercommunicate whotheyarewiththe worldaroundthem.

Currentlytheorganisationhasone LiaisonOfficer –VikkiHerdman. We cover from WellsfordtoCapeReinga.Thereare monthlysupportgroupsinseveralareas inNorthland. We supportclientstoattend appointmentsandliaisewithservicesthey require.

We arealsoveryinvolvedwithinjury preventionand roadsafetyeducation.

Notmuchinlifestaysthesame…apart fromtheneedtopaytaxes of course! But changecanbe good,especiallywhenit bringsnewskillsandexperience.

We’reexcitedtoannouncesome changestoourexecutiveteam.John Woolleyjoinsusas aPartnerandKirsty TaylorisnowanAssociate Partner.

Ifyou’rereadytomakepositivechanges inyour businesstoo,thencall us today!

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

Iwas18,hadgraduated highschool as aprefectinyear 13,starteduniversity whereIwasluckyenoughtoreceivea scholarship,completed my firstyearwhere Iwasfocusedongettingasmanygood grades as possibleandspentmostofmy sparetimeoutsidesurroundedbyhorses.

ItwasinJanuaryduringUni breakwhen lifeas Iknewitcameto aratherquick halt. Ihadbeencanteringdownthebeach whenmyhorsebrokeboth herfrontlegs, rollingon me.ThankstotheNorthland RescueHelicopter Imadeitto Whangarei HospitalquicklywheretheyfoundthatI hadsustained abrainbleedandfractured spine… an unluckyyetveryluckyoutcome as Iknowthingscouldhavebeenmuch worse.

Iamfortunatetohaveno recollection offthe accidentitselforthecoupleofdays afterit.Myfirstmemoriesareabitlikea foggydream, wakingupinhospital and askingmymumwhereIwas(something that took agoodamountoftimeformeto fullycomprehend)andif Icame offahorse. Previously,simpletaskssuchas walking around,thinkingorstayingawakefor15 minuteswere now astruggleandthenext monthsawmemovefromtheHospitalto ABIRehabilitationinAuckland. Ilivedand tookpartin appointmentswiththeirnurses, OccupationalTherapist,Speechand LanguageTherapistandPhysiotherapist undergoing aseriesoftestsprovingthat Iwasabletofunctionwellenoughto returnhome. On returninghome Ihad anunsuccessfulattemptat returningto

university,afterwhich Ispent alotoftimein bed,frustrated,confusedandstruggledto makeappropriatechoicesfor myselfwhich eventuallyledtoquitethe mentalhealth battlewhich wasallpartofmy recovery 6months post-accident Imanagedto slowly returntoriding,this wassomethingI putlotsofthoughtintobutsimplycouldn’t giveup-youonlygettoliveonceso youmightaswelldowhatyoulove.My horseshavebeen ahugepartof my rehab and recovery,soIhavenodoubtsabout

makingthisdecision. CompletingUniversity alsobecame achievable withthehelpoftheamazingstaffandsome much-appreciateddisabilitysupport. Iwould catch ataxitoandfromUnias Iwasunable todrivedueto theinjury,usedawriterin lecturesandsatexamsin aroomaloneoftenwearingearplugsand sunglasses. Fatigueseemedtorulemylife,the worsethefatigue,theworsethecognitive, behavioral,mood andvisualeffectswere. Fatiguehasdefinitelyhauntedme;however, Ifeellike akeypartinmy recovery has beenlearninghowtomanagethis.Itisstill withmenowbuttoamuchlesserdegree. Thankstoallthosewho havesupported methroughthe recoveryIcannowwork 4days aweekteaching,ride andenjoylife whilekeepingthefatigueincheck. Ihave enjoyedgivingbackandsupportingthe NorthlandRescueHelicopter2019appeal andTheNorthlandBrainInjuryAssociation. TheNorthlandBrainInjuryAssociationhave hadmybackif Ineeded supportthroughout thewholejourneyastheydowith many othersastheysupport,educate,provide assistanceplussomuchmore.They are thereforallBraininjuredindividuals,whanau andthegeneralpublicwhorequiresupport tounderstand or wouldsimplyliketofind outmoreaboutBraininjuries. Ilookforward tocontinuingtohelptheseservicesthat supportthosein need. Iwouldliketoshare myexperienceandbe asupportpersonto anyothersthathavesustainedandareliving withtheeffectsof aTBI.

AGECONCERN KAITAIA &DISTRICT

MoniqueBradley

Disability AMatterof Perception

CCSDisability Action AboutUsMoMatou

CCSDisabilityActionisthelargest pan-disability supportandadvocacy organisationinNewZealand. have along,proudhistoryofworkingin partnershipwithdisabledpeople,families andwha¯nautoprovidededicatedand flexiblesupportservices.

Aswellascreatingindividuallytailored supports,weworkincommunitiesto identifyand removebarrierssothatall peoplecanleadpositiveandconnected lives. We alsoadvocateforlocaland nationalpoliciesthatensurethatdisabled people’srightsareupheld.

Whatweoffer

Ourmodelisbasedonputtingpeoplefirst andfindingwaystosupportthechoices theywanttomakeandthelivesthatthey wantforthemselves.

AtCCSDisabilityAction,webelievethat allpeoplehavetherighttobeincludedin theircommunitiesandenjoythesamerights andopportunitiesthatevery NewZealander mightexpect.

Theseservicesinclude:

•A rangeof respiteoptionsdesignedto provide abreakforfamiliesand apositive and rewardingexperienceforyourchild.

•CommunitySupportCoordinatorswho provideadvocacyandsupportto remove anybarrierstoaccessingthequality educationofyourchoice.

•A dedicatedyouthteamwhocan

offertailoredsupportwitheducation, employmentandcanconnectyou withfriends,youthgroupsandyour community.

•Supporttoaccesspaidand sustainable employmentbyprovidingindividualised supportforpotentialemployeesand employers.

•Ongoingvocationalsupport serviceto assistdisabledpeopleto participatein training,workorcommunityactivities.

•Providingongoingsupport,information andoptionsforyoungpeoplepreparing toleaveschoolforfurther studyor employment.

•Workinginpartnershipwithdisabled peopletosupportthemtolead independentlives. We provide

community-basedsupportandsupport peopletotransitionfrom residentialcare intotheirownhome.

KarangaMahagroupwhosupport peopleofMa¯oriandPacificIsland descenttoengagewiththeirown culturalidentitiesanddeveloppersonal leadership.

dministeringthemobilityparkingservice inNorthland,supportingpeopletoparkin

CCSDisabilityActionNorthland Address 291KamoRoad,Whangarei Phone (09)4371899

Freephone 080002272255

Email Northland@ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz Web www.ccsDisabilityAction.org.nz

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

SuelivesinWhangareiandhasbeen supportedbyCCSDisabilityAction formanyyears.

“CCSDisabilityActionhave beenmyrock withanythingI’veneededovertheyears. IhaveAsperger’sand Ifindithardtodo thingswithnewpeople,becausepeople oftendon’tunderstandme,and Ifindthat Idon’tunderstandthem. To findpeople who Iconnectwithmakesanincredible difference,”sheexplains.

Sue’sdaughterDaniwasborn witha serioushealth conditionthataffectedherfor herentirelife.

“Iwas reallyblessedtobehermum,”said Sue.

Tragically,Suelosther beloveddaughter, whenshewasjust24yearsold.

Suetypically retreatswhen thingsare toughbutknowsthatisolationcausesher tospiralintoanxietyand depression.Kevin wastheretolistenas shebeganthedifficult processofhealing.

“There’snot adaythatdoesn’tgoby that Idon’twantto be withDani.I’dgive anythingto go back.But Ican’t dothat. Andnowthereare otherthingsin my life that makemehappy.”

SueisnowsupportedbyCoordinator Marilyn.

“When IcameonboardSuehad been referredtoSailability,whichcreates opportunitiesfordisabledpeopletotry sailing,butshehad no wayoftravellingto gettotheyachtclubintheBayofIslands. Iorganisedfor aSupport Workertotravel withSueto getthere.Honestly,shehasn’t

SailingwassomethingSueenjoyed asa childandassoonasshewasback on the watershewasabsolutelyhooked.

“WeexploredtheBayofIslandsand ChrisSharp–whois aformerParalympian –mademefeel welcome.Itwasawesome.” Suebeganattendingeveryweek refamiliarisingherselfwiththecraft.

WhenChrissuggestedSuejoinhimand twootherstocompleteinthe2020Hansa ClassNationalRegattainLowerHutt,she wasupforthechallenge.

Theirexpectationsfor aplacewerelow, giventhegroup’slackofexperience.“It was myfirstevercompetition.IntheendIwas partof apairthatwon the303Doubles and IwontheAbilityClass.Itfelt really awesome.”

Sue’sloveofsailinghashad aprofound impactonherlifeandhowshesees herself.“Sailinghas shownmethat Icando anything Iwanttodo,”shesays.

Unfortunately,justasSue’sworldwas beginningtoexpand,itbecame very small whenthe Level 4,COVID-19lockdown wasannounced.

“Ihadjustfound my ‘normal’and Coronavirushappened.It did makemefeel veryuncertainandanxious,”sheexplains.

Suefeltthat regularcontactduringthe pandemicwasessential,toensureshedid notbecomeisolatedagain.

SueandMarilyncontinuedtomeet regularlythroughoutlockdownenablingSue tokeephereye on thefuture–and havea much-neededlaughtoo.

“Sue’s aphenomenalperson –soI’m reallypleasedtohavebeenabletoplaya partinherjourney,”saysMarilyn.

Suehasalsoappreciatedthe opportunity tocontinueto connect.“Meetingupwith Marilynhashelpedmesomuchduringthis time.Itis alittlehardtothinkaboutwhat thefuturemightlooklike,but Idoknowthat nothingwillkeepmeawayfromsailing.”

Disability AMatterof Perception

Deaf Aotearoa

DeafAotearoaistheDisabled Persons’Organisation representing thevoiceofDeafpeople,andthe nationalserviceproviderforDeafpeoplein New Zealand.ItisalsotheNew Zealandrepresentativememberorganisationofthe WorldFederationoftheDeaf.

DeafAotearoa’sservicesareavailable from13officesnationwide,including Northland.Theseservicesinclude:

FirstSigns

Connectingfamilieswhohave adeaf orhardofhearingchildaged0-5,with NewZealandSignLanguage,theDeaf communityandDeafculture.

Youth

EngagingwithDeafyouthandpromoting positiveDeafidentityandleadershipin youngDeafpeople.

Hauora

Aservicefocusedonimprovinglives andsupportingindependence,including coordinatingaccesstootherservicesand assistivetechnology.

Employment

Aspecialistemploymentservicefordeaf andhardofhearingpeople,offeringa transitionserviceforschoolleavers,preemploymentsupport,job-seeking,and supportingemployersofDeafstaff.

NZSLPromotion

ThisincludesAdult CommunityEducationfor theDeafcommunity,tailored Deaf AwarenessandNZSLcoursesfor businessesandorganisations.NZSLisalso particularlypromotedduringNewZealand SignLanguage Week.

NZSL Week

NewZealandSignLanguage Weekisheld eachyearinMay.However,duetothe Covid-19crisisthisyear’sNZSL Weekis beingpostponedandwillnowbecelebrated from21st –27thSeptember2020.This weekinSeptemberisalsotheInternational WeekoftheDeafandthe23rdSeptember istheUnitedNationsInternationalDayof SignLanguages.

iSign

iSignis anationwideNewZealandSign Languageinterpreterbookingservice.

DeafAotearoaalsoworkstoadvocate fortheDeafcommunity,engagingwith governmentdepartmentsandother agenciestoimproveaccessforDeafpeople.

DeafAotearoa

Address 1ADeveronStreet,Whangarei Phone 4372022,Glennis021641178 Web www.deaf.org.nz Email national@deaf.org.nz Open MondaytoThursday9am-4pmandFridaybyappointment

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

AlanaBest

Whatmakes agoodlifefor Deafpeople?Accesstogood communication.

Myname sAlanaBestand Iam profoundlyDeaf. Iama NZSignLanguage TutorforDeafEducation(NZ)andstudying post-diplomatobeateacher.

Sincetheinventionoftheinternetandthe cell phone(firsttextingandthentheface tofaceaccess)technologyhasbecomea musthavefortheDeafcommunityandhas madeanenormousdifferencetothelives ofDeaf. We cankeepincontactwitheach otherandareabletoaccessinformation regardlesswhereweare and whoweare talkingto.Internetenablesustobookan appointment,callourdoctorsandfamilies, friendsandtouseinterpretersonlineto communicatewithsomeoneelseand be abletoorderonlinewithoutfrustrations. Astimegoeson,we havenewapps,new websites,andnew waysofdoingthings online,thismakesourdaytodaylivingand communicationeasierwithfarmorepositive outcomes. Iusedifferentvideocallingapps toteachsignlanguagetomystudentsand theirteachers wholiveinisolatedareas butalsotheinternetwasinvaluableduring lockdown.

Thisyear,NewZealandentereditsfirst evernationallockdownwhereeveryone hadtostayathome andbusinesses shiftedto onlineaccessonly.Theimpact ofthisis profoundforeveryoneandthe Deafcommunityisnotimmunefrom this,howeverwesimplymovedonline tocontinueourcommunitynetworking

TV.Wewerenotleftnotknowingor understandingwhatwashappening. ‘DuringthistimeDeafclubsnationallyset upclubnights by usingZoom. Zoomis avideoconferenceonlineplatform.Fora coupleofDeafclubs,theysuccessfullyheld clubnightswithupto100 peopleonlineso theycouldstillsocialiseasusual.(Zoomcan haveupto10,000peopleatonetime.)

Coronavirus(COVID-19)took holdofthe worldwithmanycountriesinlockdowns andthisbroughtaboutglobalconversations anddiscussionsrightthroughouttheworld. Duetotechnologywe were abletobe partofthisworldawarenessandgainnew knowledgetobetterprepareourselves. We werenotseverelyisolatedashasoftenbeen

thecaseinthepastbecause

oingon andstrived tokeepalltheimportantupdatestranslated toNewZealandSignLanguagetherefore offeringinformationequallytous,thesame asallotherNZcitizens.Because of this, wekept positiveanddiligentin keeping ourcommunitysafe.Theyalso provide equipmentsubsidiesfor suchthingsas babymonitors,doorbellsandfiredetectors. NewZealandSignLanguage Week (heldannuallyinMayeachyear)hasbeen postponeduntil Septemberthisyear. We willbeabletoprovideourNZSign Languagetasterclassesandcelebrateour NZSign LanguagealongsideInternational WeekoftheDeaf.Thisyearhasbroughtus closerwithourinternationalcommunitiesso itwillbeextraspecialthisyear.Ifyou have not registeredyet,pleasedonowasthe Tasterclasseswillbookoutveryfast.

Howdoes it work?

iSigninterpretingservicesareprovided ineverysetting,including:

&Income,ACC

Disability AMatterof Perception

NorthlandDownSyndromeSupport GroupCharitable Trust

NorthlandDownSyndromeSupport Groupis acharitabletrustforpeople withDownsyndrome,theirwhanau andtheirteachers.Runbyparentsof childrenwithDownsyndromeofallages, wesupport,connect,advise,advocate, provide resourcesandhavefun! We havea rangeofservicesand regularget-togethers:

Whanauwith arecentdiagnosisofDown syndrome

AdiagnosisofDownsyndrome -whether duringpregnancyoratbirth -canbea shock. We areavailabletochattoifyou

syndromemayhaveforyourfamilyandput youintouchwithotherwhanauifyouwish.

School-agechildrenwithDown syndrome

Ourwhanauwithchildrenaged 0-16years oldmeetupat WAGS(WhangareiAcademy ofGymnastics)at11amonthethirdSunday ofeachmonth.Supportedby aqualified coach,allthechildren -siblingsincludedplaysafelyonthegymequipment,having fun,beingphysicalandmakingfriends. Bringlunch,chattootherparents/carers, andenjoyplayingwithyourkidstoo.

bowling,doartsandcrafts,goout fora meal,andmanyotheractivities -agreat opportunitytodevelopindependence,meet upwithfriendsandhavefun!

Schools –Teachers, TeacherAides/ESWs andSENCOs/LSCOs

To supportschoolsworkingwithlearners withDownsyndrome,weprovide professionaldevelopmentdays,individualised supportandadvicein-school(including the development of learningprogrammes tailoredtoa student’sneeds),networking opportunitiesforteachersof childrenwith syndrometosharegoodpractice,and pport. We alsohave awiderangeof educationalbooks, reading programmes, umeracy(Numicon) resources toloan. kwithalllevelsof education– from totertiary/apprenticeship.

areaffiliatedwiththeNewZealand DownSyndromeAssociationandproud tobesupportedbyCOGSandthe Lottery CommunityGrantsBoard.

Generalenquiries 02108143744

Email ksadgrove@xtra.co.nz

Schoolsenquiries 02108224584

Email NorthlandDSSG@gmail.com www.NorthlandDSSG.org

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

GreatM8’s

andsaying“let’sdothis”.

youngpeoplelivingwitha healthcondition

10 pinbowling(abigfavourite),glowinthe darkminigolf,movies,eatingouttogether, arts ncrafts,gamesnights,airbrushing attheNorthlandArtsCentreandmany more........

Oneofour recentfavouritenightsforthe GreatM8’sgroupwas aStPatricksthemed dinner,whichwashostedbytheWhangarei HateaLionsClub. TheLionsorganised gamesandfunactivitiesforeveryone, includingtheparents. We aretrulygrateful forthesupportthattheyhave providedthe GreatM8’sand afun nightwashadbyall.

Thegroupdoesn’tjustbenefittheyoung people;itistherefortheparentsthat come alongtoo.They alsogettosocialiseand meetotherparents.

Theyoungpeoplehavetheirown

Atdifferentstagesoflifetheanswerfor “whatmakes agoodlife”canbedifferent. But Ireckontohavefriendsaroundyou whocanunderstandthewayyoudothings wouldmakeyourlifebetter.

“Spendingtime withmyfamily”

“Havingallmyfavouritethingsaround me”

‘Beingabletotrynewthings, seenew places”

Mylifeisgood bec Ihangoutwith

Disability AMatterof Perception

WhatMakes aGoodLife!

Itisn’teasytobeobjectivewhe andeverydayissuescanbeso demandingandoverwhelming. For apersonwithEpilepsy sortingthrougheverydayissues canbeexhausting,leaving little timeorenergyforothersmatters. Butifyoupauseand reflect,there arepeopleandthingswecanbe gratefulforinlife.Thesearethethingsthat cangiveyou asenseofperspective,a senseofbalance,aswellas ah future.

So,whatisthisessenceofwellbeingthat makesfor agoodlife?Thatsheltersusfrom thisever-changingenvironment.

Intermsofwellbeing,theultimate reality forsomeis Wairua(spiritual).Thevery sourceofexistenceforwellbeingandlife. Wairuaisintrinsicallylinkedtoeveryaspect ofourlives.Itgivesone asenseofbalance andwholeness. Wairuacausesusto perceivethingsthroughoursenses,sight, hearing,smell. We becomeintuitive,having theunderstandingastowhatourneedsare forwellbeing,withoutotherstellinguswhat theythinkitis.

For apersonlivingwiththeconditionof Epilepsy,wellnessandbalanceinevery aspectofLifestyleisimportant whenwe considerthewayEpilepsyandtreatment affectsHealthwellbeingand dailylife.

Justasimportantisthequalityofour relationshipsaswhanauandwiththewider community.Everyonecopes differentlyand mayhavevaryinglevelsofneed,including

whanauorcaregivers.

Workingwith aholisticapproach isparamountinaddressingthe widerimpactthatEpilepsycan haveon relationshipswithin whanauextendedwhanau friendsandthewidercommunity. PeoplelivingwithEpilepsy, Whanau,Friends,andCaregiverscan allfeelstressattimes.Stressis anormal partoflife,howeverlongtermstresscan ignificantimpactforpeopleliving ,leadingtoincreasedanxiety anddepression.StresscantriggerSeizures. Epilepsymayaffectphysicalaspectssuch asSleep,Exercise,Nutrition.

SleepandEpilepsyareclosely connected.Havingtherightamountof sleepcanaffectthetiming, numberand severityofSeizures.Inadequatesleepisa commonseizuretriggerformanypeople withEpilepsy.

Studiesshoweatingwholefoodslowin sugar,limitingalcoholandprocessedfoods have apositiveimpactonseizurecontrol, depressionandanxiety.

GatheringKaimoanaorkaiwhenua canhave asignificantpositiveimpacton physicalandwhanauwellbeing.

Exercisehasprovenhealthbenefitsin reducingstresslevels,improvingmood, sleepandoverallHealth.Just Takinga breathoffreshair,goingfor abriskwalkcan boostendorphins,(thegoodhormones)that improvemoodandlowerstressandmild depression.

ThecombinationofExercise,Solitude, Quietandbeautyofthenaturalworldcan becalmingand restorative. Taking Time, spendingtimeinNatureembracingthe naturalelementsthroughoursensesbrings usoutofourselves.Goingfor awalkonthe beachcanhelp reducefeelingsofanxiety andstress.Staringattheoceancanchange ourbrainwavesinto amild restingstate.

Sothisiswhatmakesfor aGoodLife! Theverypresenceofbeing!Solet’sget backtothebasicsandacknowledge thatGodgivengiftofwairua,thatwe canexperienceandexercisetheinnate resourceswithinusthatbringbalance andmaturityindiscerningandmakingthe rightchoicesanddecisionstoachieveand maintainourownhealthandwellbeing.

Address Leveloneupstairs CivicArcade,37BankStreet Whangarei0110

Postal P.OBox1074, WaikatoMailCentre Hamilton3240

Phone/Fax (09)4385498 0800374537

Hours 8.30am –4.30pm Monday -Friday

Email northland@epilepsy.org.nz Web www.epilepsy.org.nz

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

EpilepsySupportGroup

So,“Whatmakes aGoodLife for you?” Whatbetteropportunitythantoshare thisquestionwithour Whangarei EpilepsySupportGroupwhomeetonthe first Tuesdayofeverymonthatthe Epilepsy temporary roomsintheCivicArcade.

Inanswertomyquestion Iammetwitha barrageofanswersfromtheSupportGroup members.Positivity,warmth,humour,fun, laughter,balanceandstability.Justbeing healthyandhappyandbeingabletoleada stress-freelife,tohave apositive meaningful influenceinwithourchildren/grandchildren.

Formanyof ourS keepingactivewithsocia relationshipsareimportant.Fo includegoingtotheRSA,othersitmaybe attendingtheLiteracyGroup,orfreeHealthy LifestyleCourses.Keeping socialconnectionis participateinsharing Itgivesthem asenseof “thereareothers goin challengesasme”.

So,whatare thesechallengesand copingstrategiesthatar keeplifeasnormalaspossible.Forsome itmaybememoryloss.The many reasonsforthis seizures,theeffectsofmedication,age. Thismaymeanhaving organisedandplanningfo remindersandappointments.“EventhenI sometimesforgettowritedownthing remindmyself”,says conversation,doyo

remindme!”Thesememoryproblemscan sometimeshaveanimpactonyourpartner in aconversationas Ioftenforgetandtend to repeatmyselfandhe’shearditallbefore. Developingcoping strategiescanbe ongoingfornotjustthepersonwithEpilepsy butforthepartneraswellaswhanau/family. Strategieslike steppingbackandfinding that spaceto reflectandthinkin awaythat respectsand restorestheconfidenceofthe personwith Epilepsy.

Stayingsafe whilebeingphysicallyactive

bikesorscooters on footpaths.Wearinga MedicAlertBraceletisalsohelpful. “Justwakingupand beinghappyand feelingsecure.Enjoying qualitywhanau time. Youcanexpecttohave gooddays andnotsogooddaysandknowingthat whatyouaregoingthrough,iscommonand natural”,saysAshley.

Disability AMatterof Perception

Huntington’s Disease Association

TheHuntington’sDiseaseAssociation (Auckland)Inciscurrentlyworking with900+peoplelivingwith symptoms,oratriskofdeveloping symptoms,ofHuntington’sDiseaseinthe AucklandandNorthland regions. Withthe hardworkanddedicationoftheManager, JoDysartandCheeneeMandawe(Support worker),theysupportthecarers,family members,GP’s,medicalspecialistsand otheragenciestosupportpeoplewith Huntington’s.

FamilyLiaisonService

Ourprofessionalstaffare Huntington’s Disease(HD)specialistswhohelpfamilies andprofessionals respondtotheunique challengesofHD.Theclientsofthe Individualand FamilyServicesprogramme arethepersonlivingwithHD,their caregiversandfamilymembersincluding peopleatrisk.

SupportService

Thestaffprovideserviceswhichinclude:

•Assessingpeople’sneedsthroughoneto oneconsultation’s

•EducatingclientsaboutHD

•Givinginformationaboutcommunity services

•Findingsourcesofsupport

•Facilitatingappropriate referralsandthen followingup.

Theservicecaninvolve settinggoalswith

theclients,strategisingandsolutionfocused problemsolving,eitherworkingindividually withclientsoringroups.

Educationand Awareness

Forover30yearswehavebeenproviding informationaboutHuntington’sDisease tothoselivingwithHD,theircarer’sas wellasthesupportagenciesandmedical professionals.Informationrangesfrom symptomologyofHDtohowtomanagethe symptoms.

WhatisHuntington’sdisease?

Huntington’sdiseaseis ahereditary neurodegenerativedisordercausedbyand expunctionintheIT-15,orHuntington’s geneonchromosome4.

Eachchildofanaffectedparenthasa 50%chanceofdevelopingthedisease. MostpeoplewithHDdevelopsymptomsin theirfortiesandfiftiesalthougharound10% ofpatientshaveonsetofsymptomsbefore age20and10%haveonsetafter age60.

WhoGetsIt?

Huntington’sisageneticdisorder.About oneinevery10,000peoplehasHD.Itis notdiscriminativecanaffectbothsexes andanyrace.Primarily,HDaffectsadults. Symptomsusuallyappearbetweenthe agesof30and45butthereisJuvenileHD whichappearsinchildrenandlateonsetHD inadultsintheir60s.

WhataretheSymptoms?

Thereare threemaintypesofsymptomsin Huntington’sdisease: physicalsymptoms includinginvoluntarymovementsand diminishedcoordination;emotional symptomsincludingdepression,irritability andobsessiveness;andcognitive symptoms,includinglossofabilityto recall information,lossofattentionanddifficulty withdecisionmaking.

Liaison

We areprivilegedtoworkalongside clinicalexpertsandDHB’sofferinga inter-disciplinaryteamapproachtothe individualsandfamily/whanauaffectedby HD.Alongwiththiswehavetightlinks withtheAucklandUniversityCentrefor BrainResearchandourPatronSirRichard Faull. We thereforehaveongoingupdates onclinical researchand researchtohelp developtreatmentsandoneday,acure.

ContactDetails

Address POBox1618,Sandringham Auckland1351

Phone 098159703

Mobile 0274328255

Email huntingtonsakld@xtra.co.nz Web hdauckland.com

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

THEHDBIG DAYOUT

Everyyear, theHuntington’sDisease AssociationholdsTheHDBigDay Out,anannualeventinthepublicthat providesfortheHDcommunity.Itisa time forthemtospend adayoutwiththeirfamily, friendsandwhanauwhile beingsurrounded bypeoplewhoalsoshare somethingin common.Theprevious HDBigDay Outin May2019washeldattheAucklandZoo, wherethosethatattendedweregivenfree entrance totheanimalattractionsand then theyallcametogetherinthe domes to have afternoonteaand hearfromour patron,SirRichardFaull,whospokeabout thelatestupdatesinHDresearch.Wealso hadanannouncementfromCat Martin,the Executive DirectorofHDYO,whoflew infrom Scotlandtoannouncethe firstInternational HD YouthCongress,andwealsohada

special performancefrom theTawagAwit GlenEdenchoir.Wehad agreatturn out and it seemedtobe afun dayforall. WithintheHDcommunity,wehave manyfamilies withyoungchildren.TheHD BigDay Outprovides adaywherethese familiescangooutanddo somethingfun togetherwithouttheworry ofspending. Inothercases,someofourpeopledo not haveothersconsistentlyintheirlife, so wealwaysencourageeveryonein theHDcommunitytoattendsotheyfeel welcomedandfeel apartofsomething. TheHDAbelievesthat thisiswhatmakes agoodlife -a senseofcommunityand belonging.Despitethestrugglesour peopleface,this eventisa reminderthat thereare peoplewhoshare somethingin commonandthattheyare notalone.

OurHDBig DayOuthasalways been oneofthehighlightsofour community. We geta lotofpositivefeedbackfrom the familiesthatattend,sayingthatitwas nice to take atripout andspend sometimenot worrying over things.Itisalso aday that manyofour peoplerememberfor avery longtime.Thatiswhywealwaysstriveto organiseoneatleastonce ayear. Such eventslikethese wouldnot be possible withoutthe generosityofthecommunity andthe funders.Itisthankstothemand everyoneinvolvedthatweareableto provideaspaceof belonging wherepeople canfeel apart of somethingand positive memoriescanbemade.

GETTINGSTARTED

OrderonlineandhaveyourBeeCardpostedtoyou, pickoneupfromtheRoseStreetbusterminalor fromtheregionalcouncil’sWaterStreetoffices. You’llneedtotopupyourcardtogetstarted.

WITHBEECARDYOUCAN

Registerto:

•Checkyourbalance,topupandsetup AutoTopUponline

•Protectyourbalanceifyourcard’slostorstolen •Loadconcessions-noneedtoshowID

Disability AMatterof Perception

MuscularDys

AboutUs

TheMuscularDystrophyAssociationof NewZealandInc.(MDANZ)beganinthe late1950sas asupportgroupforfamilies affectedbymusculardystrophy.Sincethen, MDANZhasbroadeneditsscopetoinclude manyotherneuromuscularconditions.

We havefour regionalbranchesNorthern,Central,CanterburyandSouthe -thataresupportedbythenationaloffice basedinAuckland.MDANZsupports individuals,familiesandwhanauby providingspecialistinformation,practical resources,personalisedsupportand Fieldworkerservices,socialnetworks, campaignsfor publicawarenessand advocacy.Andthroughour researchtrust, weworktoimprovecarestandardsand facilitateaccesstopotentialtreatmentsfor neuromuscularconditions.

Ourorganisationis aregisteredcharity andwe relyalmostentirelyonvoluntary donationsfromthegeneralpublic,trusts andotherbusinesses/organisationsto continueourwork.

canbeunpredictableandthereare limited treatmentoptions.

FieldworkService

WhatareNeuromuscularConditions?

Neuromuscularconditionis abroad umbrellatermthatdescribes avarietyof muscledisorders.Theconditionscovered byMDANZarerareandmostlygenetic. Progressivemusclewastingleadstoloss ofmobilityandindependence,andthere areoftenmajorimpactsonorgansystems, whichcan resultinearlylossoflife. Symptomscanappearatbirthorforothers

Ourfieldworkersworkinthe communitytoprovidepersonalised supportandeducation,intheareaof rareneuromuscularconditionscovered byMDANZ.Personalisedsupportmay includesupportingthroughdiagnosis, walkingalongsideduringtimesofgriefand change,offeringinformationandadvice aboutconditions,facilitatingserviceaccess through referralsoradvocacy,orreducing

currentlyfees-freein2020. They’reavailabletoalllearnersfortherestofthisyear –sothere’sneverbeen abettertimetoretrain,upskill,orfollowyourdreams. Buildyourself abetterfuturebystudyingfees-freewith NorthTecandgetyour careerontrack. Visitourwebsiteandcheckoutyouroptions:www.northtec.ac.nz/feesfree

isolationbylinking peopletootherswith sharedexperience.

Communityeducationmayinclude talkingwithteachers,healthprofessionals ordisabilitysupportstafftoimprovetheir understandingofprogressiveneuromuscular conditions,whichenablesthemtoprovide evenbetterservicesandsupportsforour members.

NationalContactDetails

MDANZNationalBranch 0800800337

Email info@mda.org.nz

Website www.mda.org.nz Facebook www.facebook.com/ MDANationalOffice NorthernBranchContact FieldworkerNorthernBranchRachel Woodworth Phone 0800636787 |021704227

HoursofworkMon, Tues &Thurs 9.00am -5.30pm/Friday9am –3.30pm Email rachel@mdn.org.nz

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

Adrienne’sStory

Adriennewasbornon7 May1954. Growingupin Papatoetoe,Adrienne attendedPapatoetoeHighSchool gainingUniversityEntrance(accredited) andthen took aoneyearSeniorB Courseat,whatwasthen,Manukau TechnicalInstitute.In1971,her was asecretarytotheGeneralManager the ValuationDepartment &herpaywasthe princely sum of$20 per week!

Adriennethenhad anumberof secretarial/administrationjobsinterspersed withtimeoffforher 2smallsons;now41 &38.TheolderofthetwolivesinI &hastwochildrenofhisownsosheis aproudGrandma!Adriennehasbeen fortunateandhas hadseveraltripsto Irelandthough unfortunately planstogo againthisyearhavehad to be po duetoCOVID-19.

Adrienne’schildren were5&4w marriagebrokeupandwasbyherselffora numberofyears.Sheworkedparttimeas aParishSecretaryforherlocalchurch, that fittedinnicelywiththeboysschooling. Shethenmetandsubsequently John22yearsago.In1997 achangeof scenerysawthemmovetoWhangarei. In2001Adriennewasdiagnose MyotonicDystrophy.Shehadstarted stumblingandsometimesfallingbutthought theproblemwasherkneesasitseemed that theywouldcollapse.Following to aneurologist, aseriesoftestsconfirmed herinitialdiagnosis.

AlthoughAdriennewastold,atthetime

thatitwas“progressivebutnotsignificantly so”;shethoughtthenthatwhatdoctors called“significant”andwhatshecalled “significant”wereprobablytwodifferent mehasprovedthistobetrue! cehadtwo unfortunatefalls sultinginbrokenbones &hospitalisation. Shenowmobilisesusing awheelchairand isincreasinglydependentuponJohnwhich shestruggleswithattimesandwishesthere atment;ideally acure!

Adriennestudiedfurtherthroughthe OpenPolytechnicofNewZealandand graduatedfouryearslaterwith aBachelor ofBusiness.Adriennenowworksina voluntarycapacityas aFinancialMentor (BudgetAdviser)twodays aweek;probably thebestjobshehaseverhad. agoodlifeforAdrienne?well apartfromworkingwithclients,socialising withworkcolleagues,inhersparetimeshe likestokeepoccupiedathome reading, doingadultcolouring &playingwordgames Sheenjoysknittingandhas knittedtwoscarfsforherson’spartnerin

•Mobilityaids •Bathroomaids •Competitivepricing For allyourMobility& Daily LivingAidRequirements 84D KerikeriRoad, Kerikeri Acrossfromthetradeentranceof Bunnings Ph: 094076701or0274468545 email:kerimobility@yahoo.co.nz www.kerimobility.co.nz

HowParafedNorthlandisGrowing InclusiveSportinNorthland

Whatcouldbebetterthansailingin thebeautifulBayofIslandsona Sundaymorningorcatchingup withfriendsandfamilywhilediscoveringthe localcycleandwalkwaysinyourlocal area?

ParafedNorthlandisheretogiveinclusive sportand recreationopportunitiestothose withphysicaldisabilitieswhoenjoybeing activeand gettinginvolvedinsportand recreationinbeautifulNorthland.

PartofParafed’sworkistolinkwithlocal sportingclubsandschools.Recentlythey collaboratedwithTouchNZ,TheHalberg

FoundationandKiwiSportwhichenabled themtofacilitateWheelchair Turbo Touch intomanyNorthlandSchools.“Becauseof thiswewereabletoconnectwithover1000 studentsacrossNorthlandandshowhow easyitistoprovideadaptableandinclusive sports,”saidSharonCarroll,theCommunity SportsandEventsCoordinator.

Oneofthehighlightsoftheyearisthe annualwatersportsdayheldatthebeautiful KowharewaBay in Tutukaka.Hereyoucan trypaddleboarding,surfskiing,kayaking andwakaama,allfacilitatedbyexperienced

instructors.Notkeentomake asplash? Thenthereisalwayssomebeachcricket,a yummysausagesizzleoryoucanjustrelax withfamilyandfriendswhileyouenjoythis beautifulshelteredspot.

Parafedhasbeen along-timesupporter ofthe Te RakiNorthlandWheelchair Basketball Teamalso,whichisgrowing innumbersaspeoplegetinvolvedinthis fastpaced,funsport.Don’thave asports chair?Thatisokay, theycanloanyouone! Thisteamislike afamily,whoenjoyweekly localtrainingwithopportunitiesforaway tournaments,whichconnectwithother teamsthroughouttheNorthIsland.

Parafediscommittedtoopeningdoors tocreatenew opportunitiesin various sportssuchasparacycling,wheelchair turbotouch,golf,swimming,wheelchair basketball,waterbasedsports,walk/push/

HEADS UP ON BANK

Sinceitsinceptionin2013,HeadsUponBankhasproven thatitispossibletolookgreatwithoutcompromisingyour health.

HeadsUponBankwasbuilton astrongethosofholistic healthandenvironmentalawareness. We strivetochoose theproductsweuseandsellverycarefully.Theyareall cruelty-freeandasnaturalaspossible(organicwherever wecan),whilemaintaining aprofessional result.

AtHeadsUponBankweareluckytohave avery experiencedteam,includinghairstylists,beautician,anda naturopath/nutritionist, readyandabletoassistyouwith yourhair,beautyorhealth-relatedproblems. Wereally valueourclients,whobecomefriends,andofferbirthday treats, aloyaltyprogramandgreatmonthlyspecialsand packagedeals.

Whetherit’sournaturalproducts,friendlyteam,orgreat valueformoney,there’sareasonforeveryonetocome. We welcomeyoucallinginfor afreeconsultationand discussinghowwecanachieveyourdreamlookthe naturalway.

WEAREPROUDTOBE AFAIR-TRADEWORKPLACE

$99 ComboDeal

Chooseany 2oftheseservices: Wash &Cut;Wash &Straighten;½HourHeavenlyFacial; ½HourRelaxationMassage;ExpressManicurewithGels; ExpressPedicure;FullBody Tan +1oftheseservices: HydratingConditioning Treatment (onlywithwash &Cutor straighten)

Blow-waveorstraighten;BrowTidy;Brow Tint; ChinorUpperLip Wax

Allforjust$99 –becauseyoudeserveit!

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Deb Keitlyn

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Alissa

Kylie

Wendy

Disability AMatterof Perception

MNDNew Zealand Kiaoraand Welcome

Weare heretohelpandsupport peoplewithMotorNeurone Disease(MND)andthosewho careforthem.

MNDNewZealandworkswithpeople livingwithMNDtoenablethemtohave thebestqualityoflifepossible. We help peoplewithMNDaccess medicalexpertise, supportservicesandequipmentthatthey mayneed.

SallyistheSupport Teampersonfor Northland.Sheisavailabletoprovidefree, personalisedsupportandadvocacyfor peoplewithMND.Sallyofferseducation, up-to-dateinformationandpractical strategiesforpeoplewithMND,their whanauandthehealthprofessionalscaring forthem.

MNDNewZealandistheonlynational organisationfocusedonMND. We concentrateonthreekeyactivities; •Providingsupporttopeoplelivingwith MNDandthosewhocareforthem

•Providingcommunityeducationand awareness

•Promoting,identifyinganddeveloping researchopportunitieswithinNew Zealandandinternationally.Includingthe NewZealandMNDRegistry.

InJune2019MNDNewZealandwas selectedtobetheofficialcharityofEmirates TeamNewZealandforthe36thAmerica’s Cup.

FultonHogan,foundationcorporate sponsortoMNDNewZealandhave committedto athree-yearpartnershipto providefundingtoassistintheprovisionof practicalsupportforpeoplelivingwithMND, theirfamilies,whanau,andcarers.This fundingisprovidedviagrantsdistributed bytheFultonHoganMNDNewZealand SupportFund.

To provide aqualitynationalservice, increasecommunityawarenessandsupport researchdevelopment,MNDNewZealand raisesfundsthroughouttheyearwithevents

SallyKingMNDSupportPerson–Itrulyappreciateitwhen Iaminvitedtowalkalongsidefolkfora while.Whakawhetaiki akoe.

Workdays Monday -Thursday

Phone 0272028166or092803196

Web www.mnd.org.nz

Fb www.facebook.com/mndanz

Northland:sally.king@mnd.org.nz 0272028166

Take yourselfplaces otherwheelchairs can’tgo

The6x6 Explorerwheelchairis anall-terrain off-roadelectricwheelchairmade forthe outdoors.

Ideal forfarms,bush,onthebeach,ifestyle blocks, huntingandfishing. Thisultimate6-wheel-drive outdoor electric wheelchair will take youplacesother wheelchairsand mobilityscooterswillnot go.

Phone: 09 409 4973 |www.kemcare.co.nz

toparticipatein Virtualfundraisingevents andchallenges.(Checkitout!)

MNDNewZealandwelcomesyour supportbywayofdonations,participation inourfundraisingactivities,increasing awarenessandaboveallunderstandingof peoplelivingwithMND.

To contacttheNorthlandSupport Team memberemail;sally.king@mnd.org.nzorcall 0272028166.www.mnd.org.nz

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

Keepon KeepingonwithMND

Beingtoldthat you haveMotorNeuron Disease(MND)is adevastating blowforalmosteveryone.Manyare shockedand saddened;somecannot believeit,andmanyask themselves“Why me?”However,mostpeoplefeelitis importantto find somewayofaccepting andadjustingtothediagnosis,ifthey possiblycan,bothfortheirownpeaceof mind,andforthesakeoftheirfamilies.

Acommentfrom KevinontheMND websitesays;“MNDisextremelyscaryand confusing. Youneedprofessionalsupportas earlyaspossibletogetallyourchoicesin order.Ithelpstohavedifficultconversations early,soyou cangetonwithenjoyinglife.”

MNDcanmean alossofindependence. People needtodigdeeptofindthe positives.Sian,Kevin’swifesays “Thereare silverlinings. We chatintheshower.Ihelp himgototheloo.Wegotouttolunchand Ifeedhim.Thisisus.Itisournormal.In someways,wearehappierthanever.”

Manypeoplecontinueworking, volunteeringand beingactiveintheirown communitiesforaslongastheycan.They keepondoingallthethingsthatthey havealwaysdone. We allneed asense ofpurpose,so,to keeponkeepingonis hugelyvaluabletofeelgoodaboutyourself

supportof otherpeople canbevitalto enable peopletocontinuedoingallthatthey lovetodo.Asthedaughterofsomeonewith MNDsays,“Mum now communicateswith hereyes.Thetechnologythatallowsherto typebymovinghereyesisfabulous. Ifeel likesheisstillwith me when she sendsan email. Iknowit’stakenher alotoftimeand energytowriteitusingjustmovementsof hereyes,but Iappreciateitsoverymuch.”

Acommonthreadthroughwhatpeople withMNDsayis,“Youjusthavetogeton

Disability AMatterof Perception

NorthlandMSSociety

NorthlandMultipleSclerosisSociety offers awidevarietyofservicesto peoplewithMS,family/whanau membersandcarers.TheNorthlandarea extendsfrom Wellsford,coasttocoastto CapeReinga.

Theserviceprovidesinformation, educationandsupport, encouraginga proactiveapproachtomanagingthis disease.IfyouhaveMStheSociety providesforyouandyourfamilyand/or carers:

•A MSField Workerwhois aNZ RegisteredNurse.

•Homevisitingservice.Supportand informationtoyouandyourfamily aboutyourconditionorinyour roleasa caregiver.

•Educatesyou,yourfamilyandother healthprofessionalsaboutMSand related disorders.

•Advocatesforyouwithothersupport agenciesandhealthprofessionalsand informsyouofservicesavailableinthe community.

•Provideseducationmaterialandbooks, bothavailablefromtheMSoffice.

•LibraryBookscoveringallaspectsof MS areavailabletotakeoutonloan

•Holdsmonthlysupportgroupsforthose withMS.

•Offers aweeklyPilatesexerciseclass

•Bi-monthlynewsletterwhichincludes usefulinformationon researchand developmentofMSandadviceonstaying well.

WhatisMultipleSclerosis(MS)?

MultipleSclerosisisoneofthemost commondiseasesofthecentralnervous system. Afattysubstancecalledthemyelin sheathcoversthefibresofthenervous system.Themyelinprotectsthenerves andhelpsthemessagesmovebetweenthe brainandthe restofthebody.

InMS,themyelinsheathcoveringthe nervesinthebrainandspinal cord become scarredinscatteredpatches.Thisismultiple scarring,orsclerosis.Essentiallythis distortsorpreventstheflowofmessages fromthebrainandthespinal cord toother partsofthebody.

Thedistortionstothemessagestravelling throughthenervoussystemcause arange ofproblemsforthepeoplewithMS. Althoughitisimportanttonote that thereisnotypicalsetofMSsymptoms, thefollowingarecommon(invarying combinationsorseverity):

•Lossofbalanceorcoordination.

•Tremorandweakness.

•Blurredordoublevision,eyepain(usually onlyaffectingone).

•Difficultywithlegs,armsandhand movements.

•Bladderandbowelproblems.

•Numbnessandpain.

•Problemswiththinkingand remembering.

•Sexualproblems.

•Fatigue.

WhatCausesMS?

AtthistimethecauseofMSis still unknown.However,researchsuggestsitis likelytobe acombinationofthefollowing: areactionto avirus, possiblyyears

afterinfection;exposuretoanunknown environmentalagentbeforepuberty;an auto-immune reactioninwhichthebody attacksitsowntissueforanunknown reason;or ageneticsusceptibilitytothe abovetriggers.

HowisMS Treated?

WhileMSstillcannotbecured,muchcan bedonetohelpmanagethecondition. Thereare MS-specifictreatmentsavailable. Thesedirectlytargettheimmunesystem. ANeurologistdetermineswhetherthese arerelevantforeachperson.Generallythe personwithMSworkswiththeirGPonthe daytodaymanagementofthecondition. AstheOfficeManagerisonlyavailable 14hoursperweek(Mondayand Tuesday from9am -2.30pm /Wednesday 9amto12pm),ananswerphoneis inplacetotakemessages,whichare respondedtoassoonaspossible. UrgentcontactcanbemadetotheField Workersmobilephone.

ContactDetails:

Leveloneupstairs

CivicArcade

37BankStreet Whangarei0110

Phone/Fax: (09)4383945

Mobile: 0275399883

Email: nthldms@xtra.co.nz

Web: www.msnz.org.nz

Facebook: NorthlandMultiple SclerosisSociety

WHEN: Thursday 3rdDecember2020 10am -2pm

WHERE: CameronStreetMall, Whangarei

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

GaelNankivell

Mypersonaltakeonthisthemefor 2020wouldbetoask: Whatmakes mylifegood?There aresome basicstoaddressbeforeIcanseehowI’m doingwiththis!

Firstly,acceptance: Iwasdiagnosedwith MultipleSclerosistwentyyearsagoandso IneededtoacceptthatMSwasgoingto be apartofmylifefor the restofmylife, thoughhopefullynotthecentreofit.Then the needwastobeacceptedbyothers: Family,friends,communityandsocietyin general.

Respect:I’mthesamepersononthe inside,butnow,aftertwentyyears,I’ma littledifferent. Ineedawalkingstickandat airports Iwilluse awheelchair.Imightneed somehelpsometimesor Imightneeda

fewmomentstogetmythoughtstogether, ormakemylegswork;the same,but outwardlydifferent.

Support: We allneedthatattimes,and mysupportcomesfrom my husband,sons, mywiderfamilyandfriends,andmyfriends fromwithintheMScommunity.Ofcourse thereare alsomedicalprofessionalsand disabilitygroups.

Asenseofwellbeing:What haveI achievedinlife?Sometimes we think we needtoleave alegacybehindandweask whatwehavedonetochangetheworld. No,I’mnot famousorrichbut Icount myselfluckytobe aMumandhavinghad theprivilegeofraisingtwoboyswhohave grownintowonderfulmen.Theyaremy legacyand Iamimmensely proudofthat

patientandcaringhusband, apersonwho lovestogarden(yes Idogardenbutwith varying results),tobeoutdoors,toread goodbooksand eatdarkchocolate. Ican say Iamhappytobeme!

Funandlaughter:Laughtertrulyisthe bestmedicine! We allneedmoreofthat.So whatmakes agoodlife? Iwouldsuggestall oftheabove.

GaelNankivell

NorthAble

DIAS –DisabilityInformationAdvisory Service

NorthAbleprovidefreeinformationand advicetopeoplewith adisability,their families,whanau,aiga,caregivers,providers andthegeneralpublic. We arehereto assistandansweranyofyourquestions.

Youcanlike ourfacebookpage,headto ourwebsite,andcheckoutwww.firstport. co.nztoaccesshelpfulinformation,news, andevents,or signuptoourweekly electronicnewsletterbysendingusanemail -dias@northable.org.nz

NASC

–NeedsAssessmentService

Coordination

TalktoourNorthAbleNeedsAssessment ServiceCoordination Team(NASC)ifyou orsomeoneyoucareforisaged 0–65 and requireslongtermsupportduetoa physical,intellectual,neurological,sensory disabilityorautism.

Youcancheckyoureligibility,makea referralonline,orgiveus acallto find out more.

EQ+ -NorthAbleEquipment Plus EQ+isNorthland’slargestsupplierof Rehab,AgedCareandDisabilityequipment/ productsthatsupportpeoplewhoare experiencing atemporaryorpermanent impairment.

Youmayhaveexperiencedanaccident orinjury,bewaitingfor,orrecoveringfrom surgery,orsimplyaginggracefullyand findingsomeofthoseeverydaytasks andactivitiesmoredifficult.Whatever

Disability AMatterof Perception

yoursituation,wehave alargerangeof equipmenttoassistyouavailableforsale andhire.

We alsospecialiseinprovidingfree andinformativeequipmentpresentations andtrainingtocommunitygroups andorganisations,healthgroupsand professionals,andthewidersector.

WithanofficeinWhangarei, amobile vanservice,andanEquipmentagencyat Far-NorthPharmacyinKaitaia,NorthAble providesdisabilitysupportandinformation throughoutNorthland.

Checkoutourwebsite www.equipmentplus.org.nz/

LYNKZ

NorthAble LYNKZis acommunity-based servicethatworkswithitsclientstoimprove theirlifeskillsandincreaseemployment awarenessandopportunities.

Our LYNKZprogrammeisavailableto individualsaged between16and64,who have acognitive,physical,sensorydisability, or acombination. We providedailyactivities fromMondaytoThursdaywitheverything fromcookingclassestotripstothezooor beach.Ouraimistoprovideopportunities forallofourclientstobecomemore confidentwhilelearningvaluableskillsas theyengageinthecommunity.Likeand followNorthAble LYNKZonFacebook.

VHN

NorthAbleprovides aVery HighNeeds (VHN)servicefundedbyMSD,forclients whohaveOngoingResourcingScheme

(ORS)fundingasdefinedbyMinistryof Education.OurVHNcoordinatorworks directlywithyouandyourfamily/whanau orsupportpeopletotailormakesupport plansbasedonindividualgoals &objectives toengageineverydaysocialactivitiesand participateinthelocalcommunity.

NavigationService

NorthAbleNavigationService(NNS) aimsatenablingindividualswithdisabilities andtheirfamily/whãnautocreatea positivefutureforthemselves.NNS facilitatesinterventionsandsupportaround opportunitiesforself-determinationfor familiestobuildandmaintain resilience.

To findoutmoreabouttheseservices,the eligibilitycriteria,and referralprocess,visit ourwebsite.

Transition

NorthAblehas recentlybeenawardeda contractfor TransitionServices.Ifyouhave ORSfundingandareleavingschoolin the next 2yearscallustofindoutmoreabout thisservice.”

NorthAbleDisabilityServices: 40JohnSt,Whangarei NorthAbleEquipmentPlus: 73JohnSt,Whangarei

Ph:0508637200or094300988

Email: drc@northable.org.nz

Website: www.northable.org.nzand www.equipmentplus.org.nz

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

HarleyandRhonda

Rhonda Westhadnoexperienceofthe disability sectorbeforehergrandson

Harley Tupe-Rakenacametolive with herin2016,andshesoon realisedthere would be alottolearn.Harley(now8)has Hemimegalencephaly,andthetwohalves ofhis brain arenotconnected.For Harley thisconditionmeansthathehasphysical paralysisofhisleftside,difficulty swallowing andanintellectualdisability.Harley usesa wheelchairfor mobilityandisnon-verbal,

tosupportHarley -“Iwasbeingasked allthesequestionsandwhatHarley’s needswere,and Ididn’tevenunderstand themmyself”.Thingsstartedtobecome easierwhentheNASCFacilitatormade areferraltoCCSSupportedLifestyles and aCCSCoordinatorsupportedherto talktoagencieslikeWINZandMinistryof Education,butgetting regularsupportfor Harleywasstillanissue.

providingwaysforwardtogetHarleythe careheneededbutalsokindwordswhich madeallthedifference.”

InJuly2019,Rhonda reachedcrisispoint

OneofthesupportsthatNASChelped Harleytoaccesswas regular respiteat KindHandswhichRhondasays Harley loves“itgiveshim achancetohang outwithhispeers,aswellasgivingme achancetogetintomygardenand rechargemybatteries; respitehadbeen offeredtomeseveral timesbeforeand Ihadalwaysbeenprotectiveandnot wantedHarleytogo,lookingback,ifI hadacceptedthehelpearlieritmaynever have reached crisispoint”.

Rhondacontinuesto maintain regular contactwiththeteamatNorthAble–“As wellasmyNASCfacilitatortheycontact mefromtimetotime,forexample during theCovid-19lockdown Ireceivedseveral callscheckinginonHarleyandme,itwas sogreattoknowsomeonewasoutthere thinkingofus”.

Whenaskedwhatadviceshewouldgive toanyoneinhersituation,Rhonda stated “Letpeopleknowhowthings reallyarefor you;thereisalotofhelpout there,but noonecanhelpyouwithproblemsthat theydon’tknowexist.Also,trustyourgut instinctanddon’tbeafraidtoquestion thingspeopletellyou; we weretoldthat Harleywouldneverhaveanymobilityor beabletoeatanysolidfood,but nowhe spendsseveralhourseachdayin awalking frameandcantakestepsinthisandeats threemeals aday”.

Disability AMatterof Perception

Parentto ParentNorthland

EveryyearhundredsofNorthland whanaufacethe uniquechallengesof caringfor alovedonewithdisabilities andhealthimpairments.ParenttoParent hasbeensupportingthesefamiliesforthe past35yearswithitsthreecoreservices: 1.Informationandsupportonover3600 differentconditions

2.Parentsupportandnetworking 3.Supportingthesiblingsofchildrenwith disabilities.

NootherorganisationinNewZealand offerstheseservices,andtheyarefreeand confidential.

NorthlandRegionalCoordinatorDon Martin,hascontinuedto buildonhiswork towardsensuringthatParenttoParent Northlandkeepsdevelopinginthewhole region.

Donsays“Iwanttoengagewithmore communitiesin TeTaiTokerau. To meitis importantto respondtopeoples’needsby being aresourceworkingwithintheirown processesandwairua.Thelastfewyears havebeenthebeginningof afantastic journey,whereeverydayis anewlearning opportunity.Emihiatuki akoutoukatoai arahi iahau.Thankyoutoeveryonewho hasguidedme.Thisyearwekickoffthe inauguralseven-day VoyageforSiblings whichisveryexciting;waytooexcitingto expandheresoIwelcomeanyonetocontact meandfindoutmoreaboutthisamazing opportunityforsiblingsaged13-18yrs.”

Donwantstoensureparents,whanau andtheirsupportingprofessionalswhocan benefitfromtheseservices,knowabout

themandfeelwelcometomakecontactfor moreinformation.

Information

Informationonover3600commontovery rareconditions;posted/emailedinformation thatiseasytounderstand,tailor-madefor achild’sspecificcondition/s,andinmost languages.

ParentSupport

Connectingwithanotherparentwhohas ‘beenthere’ –atrainedSupportParentwho has achildwiththesame/similarcondition orexperiencedsimilarissues.Support Parentsarefurtherenoughalongthetrack tofeelconfidenttocompleteintensive trainingand‘giveback’tonewparents.

SibSupport

Campsandprogrammesforthebrothers andsistersofchildrenwithdisabilities. Allprogrammeleadershavesiblingswith disabilities,andhavebeentheretoo.

SibSupportacknowledgestheextraeffort their‘different’homelifedemands,and givesthemthechancetotalkaboutissues suchasfeelingleftoutathomeorbullying atschool.

Ourworkshopsarecommunitydriven andinclude:

•Renew –forparentsnewtotheworldof disability

•SupportParents –intensivetraining(and refreshercourses)forvolunteerparents wantingtosupportothers

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

•Championing YourNeeds –forfamilies

Lifelongsupportfor Kiwi families caringfor kidswithdisabilities

Chatwithotherswhohave‘beenthere’ Informationon3600+disabilities/conditions

SibSupportforthebrothersandsisters(aged8-18)of

Workshops,familyactivitydays, coffeegroups,campsandmore UniqueandFREEservicesforfamily/whānauandprofessionals

Connectwith Parentto ParentNorthland Mob. 0278083942 Tollfree 0508236236

E. northland@parent2parent.org.nz W. www.parent2parent.org.nz peoplewithdisabilities

andprofessionalstolearnhowto beheardandadvocatefor achild’s educationalandlivingneeds

•NavigatingtheSystem –forparents wantingclarityaroundsupportand resourcesavailableandhowtoaccess theseprovidinganopportunitytohear from,andmeetlocalserviceproviders andagencies.

•Anxiety Workshop -forparentswho wanttobetterunderstandfeelingsof anxiousnessandtheeffectitcanhave betweenyourselfandyourchildren.

•SecondGeneration –foradultsiblings andparents/whanaufor a‘wholefamily’ approachtolifelongcarefortheirfamily memberwith adisability.

Othersupportservicesinclude:

•AltogetherAutismdeliveredinpartnership withLifeUnlimited.

•CareMattersdeliveredinpartnershipwith SAMS(StandardsandMonitoringService) andCarersNZ.

•Prismisautismspectrumdisorder(ASD) trainingforprofessionals,tailoredto suittheorganisationandpresentedby facilitatorswithsignificantknowledgeof ASDandassociatedissues.

DonMartin -RegionalCoordinator Mobile0278083942

Freephone0508236236 northland@parent2parent.org.nz www.parent2parent.org.nz www.facebook.com/ parenttoparentnorthland

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

Whatdopeopledoto relievestress?

Donaskedthisquestion of severalparents supportedbyParenttoParent.

Stressseemstobeontherisewith manychanging pressuresinsociety. Most recentchange is thenewway oflifeforced uponusbynewterminologies suchasCovid-19,lockdownandsocial distancing. We havechangedworkinghours and nolongerdofamilieshavethe core 40-hourweekbetweenMondayandFriday. Housingis becomingincreasinglyharder and familiesare oftenworkingtwo,three, four-plusjobs.

MatthewPeppercornofTASKMental Wellnesspresentedaseriesofanxiety workshopsinNorthlandlastyear explaining

Formeit’saboutkeeping abalanced lifeand Ilikethe Te WhareTapaWha andtheMentalHealth Foundation’s 5WaystoWellbeingmodelsforthis. Timewithfamilyandfriends,physical exercise,meditationand arolewhere Icancontributetosocietytickall theseboxesforme.

-Jane

Oneof my gotostress relieversis music!Whetherthat’splayingthe guitar,orputtingsomemusiconand having adanceintheliving room with my tamariki.

-Emily

thatweactuallyneed abitofstressinour lives.Matthewsaid“Smallamounts(of stress)give ustheenergytogetupinthe morningandabitmore(stress)takes us frombeingtoolaidbacktobeingactive. Howevertoomuchproducesfatigue, exhaustion,anxiety,depression and breakdowns.”

Matthewsspokeofwellnessand breathingasbeingimportant andgetting oxygenintothebraindeepdown.This issupportedbyNigel Lattawhosaid “Mindfulnessisthesinglemostpowerful thingyoucan dotodealwithstressand

To relievestress, Iplonk my kidsin frontof amovieandusethetimeto dosomethingfor myselfthat Ilove –reading,crafting,orjustsitting outsidewith acuppaand watching theclouds...whateverhelpsmeclear theBrain Weaselsoutfor awhile

-Louise

Atechniquethat Iamusingat presentismindfulness.Bringingthe stresslevelsdown by bringingour mindsbacktothehereandnowlongbreaths,takingnoticeofwhat we canfeel,seeandhear.

-Breanna

anxietyanddepression.” (NewstalkZB, 23/08/2018).

Whathappenswhenafamilyhasachild with adisability,healthissueorautism andsometimesallthree?Thereare many familieswithoneactive parent.Howdothe wordsofMatthewandNigelstackupwith realityandwhat parents do?

To findoutDonspoketoparentsthat ParenttoParentsupportto findout what theydidto relievestressandthisiswhat theysaid.

Ienjoykeepingactivewithlike minded wahine,andthenbakingwith my tamariki.

-Blanche

Stayingactivewasinitiallyfor my physicalhealthbutnowIexerciseisto keep my mindniceandhealthytoo,

-Te Reo

Onethingisapparent.Everyoneis differentwithonecommonalityand thatiseachparentdidsomething specialforthemselves. To lookafter othersfirstly youmustlookafter yourself. Youdeserveit.

The Wilson Home Trust.

Supportingphysicallydisabledchildren,youngpeople and their familiesisour toppriority

TheWilsonHome Trustsupportschildrenand youngadults withphysicaldisabilities up to theageof22, andtheir whanauwholiveintheUpperNorthIsland -fromTurangiin the South to Cape ReingaintheNorth.

We dothisinarangeofwaysincluding:

•Financial Grantfunding •Information &Support •Hydrotherapy sessions•Schoolholidayprogrammes •Equipmentdemonstrations

In Northland we have aparttimecontractorDon Martin who representsthe WilsonHomeTrust. Donspends alot of time travellingaroundthe regiontalking to individuals,groupsand organisationsabout theWilson Home Trustandhowwecan provide support to our beneficiary families.

OurAucklandbased team arealsoavailabletoprovideinformationandsupport.

Contactustoday0800948787 oremailinfo@wilsonhometrust.org.nz Informationisalsoavailableonthe websitewww.wilsonhometrust.org.nzand facebook page www.facebook.com/wilsonhometrust1

Parkinson’sderivesitsnamefromDr JamesParkinson,whodiscoveredthe conditioninthelate18thcentury.

Over11,500NewZealanderslivewith Parkinson’s.Parkinson’sisa progressive neurodegenerativecondition.The mostcommonphysicalsymptomsare tremor,stiffness,rigidityandslowness ofmovement.Othersymptomsinclude depression,anxietyorapathy,disturbance ofnormalsleep,constipation swallowingorspeaking.Theaverageageat diagnosisis59.

WhenyouhaveParkinson’s,yourbody abilityto regulatedopamineisaffected.

bymoderntechnologiestoenable Parkinsonianstoleadusefuland sustaining lives.Oneofthegreatestaidsisphysical exerciseandParkinson’sNZ,Northland ServiceCentreprovideshomevisitsfroma Parkinson’sNurseand arangeofactivities throughouttheNorth.

•Whangarei,weeklywalkinggroup, hydrotherapy,physiotherapy,voice exercises,MovementforPDandballroom

tomonitortheirconditionandadviseon managementtoenablequalityoflife.They collaboratewithhealthauthorities,give-inservicelecturesto resthomesandpromote awarenesswithinthecommunity.

VickiSadgrovecoverscentralWhangarei, Onerahi, TutukakaCoast,andallpoints north.BarbaraLesliecoversthesouthern areasWhangareisouthfromjunctionSH14 to Te Hanaand West &Eastcoasts.

ewZealand 08004734636 info@parkinsons.org.nz www.parkinsons.org.nz

PARKINSON’SNZ: THENEED

2,700peoplearediagnosedwithParkinson’sinNewZealandeveryyear. Firstestablishedover55yearsago,Parkinson’sNewZealandisthe onlyNZ organisationprovidingeducation,informationandsupportservicesto people livingwith endaffectedbyParkinson’sond Parkinsonismconditions.

OurMission:“Toprovidesupport,educationandhigh -qualityinformationto peoplewith Parkinson’sendParkinsonism conditions,theircarers,whanauand healthprofessionals.”

To getintouchwith u& ,please call 08004734636orvisit www.parkinsons.org.nz todownload areferralformand sendit throughtoclinical@parkinsons.org.nz.

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

DavidCairns

For retiredvetDavidCairns,of Whangarei,Parkinson’sdiseasemeans livinghislifeat adifferentpace.

Davidatfirstattributedhisearly symptoms of thediseasetogrowingolder.

“Inoticed Iwasgetting abitslower.That was reallythe firstsign,and my handwriting, which has alwaysbeenterrible,gotworse.’’ Parkinson’s diseaseisaprogressive nervoussystemdisorderthataffects movement. Symptomsstartgradually, sometimesstartingwithabarelynoticeable tremorinjustonehand. Tremorsare common,butthedisorderalsocommonly causesstiffnessorslowingofmovement.

As abusyvetandequinespecialist, Davidsayshealwayspridedhimselfon his strengthandco-ordination.

“Icouldtypeat30words aminute,but thatsoonwent.Everythingjust gotslower,’’ hesays.

Alwayskeenontrampingandclimbing, Davidsaystryingto maintainfitnessisnow hisdailyfocus.“Thereisalotof researchto showexerciseishugelybeneficial,asgood asany medicine,’’hesays.

Davidstartseachdaywith awalk,andhe preferstotackle hillycountry.

“Ifindwalkingupanddownhillseasier thanflatgroundwhichseemstoaccentuate mylackofcoordinationand Ibumble along.’’

Goodnutritionisalsoimportant,and hefollows adietsomewherebetweenlow carbandtheMediterraneandiet. Vitamins andminerals arealsopartofhis regime, especiallymagnesium,whichisparticularly

goodforstoppingmusclecramps,aswell asvitamins B1 andB3.

Davidsayshehastrieddrugstraditionally prescribedforParkinson’spatientsbuthe foundtheydidnotworkforhim.

“However,what Ihavelearntfromthis diseaseisthatitaffectseveryonedifferently andsomepeoplegetgood resultsfrom taking drugs.It’simportanttoworkout whateverworksforyou,’’hesays.

Davidsayswhilethechallengeoflosing somefunctionalityisfrustratingandcanbe embarrassing,it’simportanttoovercome thatandcontinuetogetoutandabout.

“Eatingcanbe abitof amessy exercise, but Ihaveagoodcircleoffriendswho understand.”

Hesaysanotherfeature of thediseaseismuscle stiffnesscausingan expressionlessfaceandbeingslowto respond.

“Thereisstillplentygoingoninside. We canfolloweverythingandthereisnothing wrongwithourbrains,butit’shardtokeep upwiththequickreparteeandbanter of agroup,soit’seasytofeelleftout. People shouldn’thesitatetostrikeupa conversationandbepatientfor aresponse.

“Thepublicaregenerallyallverygood andarealwaysofferingtohelpme.My experiencehasbeenverypositive,’’hesays.

Sowhat makes agoodlifeforDavid is regularexercise.Whenyou haveParkinson’s, yourbody’sabilitytoregulatedopamineis affected.Thismeansthatmovementcan becomeslow andrigidover time.Research hasshownthat peoplewithParkinson’s whoexerciseregularly, everyweek,havean improvedqualityoflifeand canexperience better balance,coordination,agility, cognition,dualtaskingskillsandstrength. Ifyou’rekeentoexerciseyoucan makeit fun. YoucanalsojointeamParkinson’sNZ and‘GetGoingforParkinson’s’byrunning, walking,swimming,cycling,orsailing –the choicesareendless -anddo goodby raisingfundsandawarenessforfamilies livingwithParkinson’satthe sametime.

Getintouchandwewillsendyou apack thatincludestrainingtipsfromlegendary NewZealand Olympianrunnerand Parkinson’sNewZealandAmbassador, the lateSirPeterSnell.www.parkinsons.org.nz

Disability AMatterof Perception

Supportinglifeafterstroke inNorthland

Astrokeis abrainattackwhereblood supplytothebrainisstoppedby either ableedor ablockage.A strokecanhappentoanybodyandcan bedevastatingformanypeopleand dramaticallychangetheirlife.Theeffectis certainlywiderthanjustthepersonwho hadit.

Supportinglifeafterstrokeisthe roleof theStrokeFoundation’sCommunityStroke Advisorservice.

Thisfreeserviceisavailablethroughout Northlandtoworkwithstrokesurvivorsand thosearoundthem,providingexperience, supportandhopethatisdesignedto achievethebestpossibleoutcomeafter stroke.

CommunityStrokeAdvisors, Lynelle Ngakuru(FarandMidNorth)andGeno Milnes(WhangareiandKaiparaareas),work closelywiththosewhohavebeenaffected bystroke,makinghospitalandhomevisits, supportingfamilies/whanauandcaregivers,

advisingonaccessingcarereliefservices andsupport.

LynelleandGeno’s,generalfocusison rehabilitatingthestrokesurvivorbackinto thecommunityandassistingfamily/whanau andcaregiverstonotonlyunderstand astroke,buttoadjusttotheirchanged circumstances.

TheStrokeFoundationprovidesfree informationaboutstrokeandmanaging lifeafterwardsthroughCommunityStroke Advisorsandviathe StrokeFoundation’s website.Thebook“LifeAfterStroke” providesgoodinformationandis readily availableinhospitalsandfromCommunity StrokeAdvisors.

CommunityStrokeAdvisorsknowabout, andlinkclientstolocalsupportgroups and recreationalactivities.Theseinclude exercisegroups,sportsclubs,accessible gyms,artandcraftgroups,therapies, caregiver,partnerorfamilysupportgroups andyoungerstrokesurvivorgroups.

Strokesupportorganisationsin Northland arelocatedinKaikohe,Kerikeri,Whangarei andDargavilleandcanbecontacted through aCommunityStrokeAdvisor.These groupsprovidesupporttopeoplewith stroke,andthosearoundthem.Theyenable peopletoshareexperiences,understand moreaboutstroke,meetnewpeopleand participateinsocialactivitiesandspecial events.

Othergroupsincludethe Word Masters WhangareiAphasiaGavelClubwhichis designedtoassistthosepeoplewho have acommunicationdifficultyas aresultof astrokeortraumaticbraininjuryanda strokehydrotherapygroupassistedby theStrokeFoundationandrunweekly attheWhangareiAquaticCentrewith PhysiotherapistIsobelFinlayson’ssupport.

CommunityStrokeAdvisors inNorthland

LynelleNgakuru –FarandMidNorth (CapeReingatoKawakawa) Freephone:0800566383 Email:far.north@stroke.org.nz

GenoMilnes –Northland (Kawakawato Wellsford) Freephone: 0800459954

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

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

StewartHohepa

WhenStewartHohepafeltdizzyand startedwalkingintowallsthreeyearsago, hehadnoideahowmuchhislifewasabout tochange.

Just44,hewasbusyandactive,working fulltimeas aself-employedpainterwitha staffofsix.Hewasalsopassionateabout hisworkas apastorforthePentecostal ChurchinKaikohewhereheconducteda youthgroup,biblestudiesandvisitations. Helovedtotravelon missionaryworktothe PacificIslands.

Hiswife,Anita,saysthat Stewart’slife wasalways“busybusy”.

Threeweekslaterhehad driventoOtara for ayouthserviceandmadeitthrough half oftheservicebeforehehadtostop.

Stewartunfortunatelyhad amajorstroke.

Anitasays“itwastouchandgoforsome time,but he wasfortunatethat arelativewho wastrainingtobe anursewasatthechurch thateveningsowasabletooffer help”.

Hehad asecondbrainbleedthatnight, whichcausedmoredamageandlefthim partiallyparalysedontherightside.

“IwasstillupinKaikoheandgot phone callsthatwereincreasingly urgenttelling me toget downthere.”

Stewart wasinhospitalfor 12 weeks, whichwas atremendousstrainonhis family,especially10-year-olddaughter Sydney-Rose.

Now47,Stewarthashadtogetusedto adifferentpaceoflife.

Anitasayshe hateditat first, buthe never actedoutorgot depressed.

Theirstrongfaith has helped alotwith copingwiththeirnewcircumstances.

“It’sdifferentbutin somewaysitisbetter. Somethinglikethat really makesyoutakea lookatyourlifeandtakestock,’’shesays.

“Before,Stewartneverseemedtobe homeandnowweare togethermuch more as afamily.’’

Churchactivities arestillanimportantpart oftheirfamilylifeandStewartcontinuesto workas apastor.

Buthisbusinesshadtoclosedownand Anitaalsocloseddownhercafébusiness

Thecoffee shophasnowbeenturned into apart-timeactivity room filledwithbric abracandoldtoolsfromStewart’spainting days.

‘’Helovespotteringaroundinthereand hisfacelightsupwhenpeoplecomein,’’ saysAnita.

Gardeningisalso afavouriteactivityas wellas reading,singingand recordings. Footpedalsarehelpingwithbuildingupleg strength.

Thisyear swimmingatPaihiawasa

Agrowingpartnership

Sowingtheseeds of growththrough volunteering

JordanMacDonaldprobably didn’t expectrunning anativeplantnursery wouldleadtolearning anewlanguage. Jordanisanenvironmentaleducator andManageratHeKa¯ kanoCommunity Nursery. AndSweetieLoeak,who mostly communicatesthroughNewZealandSign Language,isher“veryhard-workingand most regularvolunteer”.

Sweetiehas beenvolunteeringatHe Ka¯kano,thenativeplantnurseryforthe MountainstoSeaConservation Tr

interpreterinher role,quicklyestablished herselfas avaluableteammemberand wentontoteachJordanbasicSign Language.Jordanfollowedupthelearning processeswithan 8weeksignlanguage class.AlthoughJordan remainsmodest aboutherability,sheappearsquite fluent when signingandhaving alaughwith Sweetieatthenursery.

SweetiehaslivedinNew Zealandfor 5years.Shehasanadultdaughterin Aucklandandisi egular ntactwithher

Sweetiecherishesherfriendshipswithinthe deafcommunity,andlovesvolunteeringas itprovidesherwith regularcontactwiththe widercommunity.

Sweetie’sparticularjoyvolunteeringatHe Ka¯kanoisinseeingthefruitsofherlabour; watchingthenativeplantsgrowfromseeds shehascollectedandplanted,towitnessing theriparian plantingprojectsallaround Whangarei.Herotherfavouriteactivities includeseedcollectingtripsandof course theChristmaspartyandothercelebrations theyhaveas ateam.

MountainstoSeaConservation Trustare alwayslookingforextra helpersonFridays atHe Ka¯kano.Theworkisin afun,friendly andsafeenvironment.Mountains to Sea alsohaveplentyofcommunity plantingdays duringthewinterseasonandsharetheir seedlingswithothercommunitygroups.

AsforSweetie,youcanalsofindher gardeningonamonthly basisatNorth HavenHospicein Tikipunga,aswell asjoiningintheregularvolunteerdays supportingthe restorationeffortson Matakohe/LimestoneIsland.

Alltheseorganisations deeplyvalue thevolunteersthatworkwiththem.Ifyou wouldliketovolunteerandare notsure wheretostartcallin to thefriendlyteamat VolunteeringNorthlandnowbasedinthe CivicArcadeonBankSt.Theycanguide youthroughthehundreds of opportunities toseewhereyoucanmakeadifference.

SweetieLoeakandJordanMacDonald baggingseedlingsinthecentral Whangareinursery, signingtheword“tree”

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

Citizens AdviceBureauWhangarei

We’restillhere!That’sbeenthemottoofCitizensAdvice Bureaunationallyoverandbeyondlockdown, avariation ontheusual We’reHeremessage,whichpointstoallthe differentwayspeoplecanaccessourservice–freephone,faceto face, email,andlivechatfromthewebsitecab.org.nz.

We aredefinitelystillhere,inWhangarei,despitethe fireinthe MunicipalBuildingandCovid-19machinations. We learned alot fromthefire aboutworking remotely,andwiththe flash new Voice OverInternetProviderphonesystemwe upgradedto,Covid-19 was awalkintheparktechnologicallyspeaking.

Whenpeopleleave amessageonour4388046numberweget anemailwith asound recordingofitattached.Thenational0800 367222number,freeforcellphones,isstrappedtothenearest openofficesoyouwillgetto alocalpersonherebothways, between9amand4pm.

We areherenowonthesecondfloorofthebeautifulOldPublic TrustBuildingat69BankStreet,nextdoortoourusualhomeat71. TheentranceisbetweentheThaiChef restaurantandShosha retail outlet.Itisinaccessibletowheelchairusersasthereare sixsteps fromBankSttothelift,andforthisweapologise. We areopento arrangingto meetyouatanylocationthatsuits,withlaptopinhand, totalkoveranyissues.

We stillrunourfortnightlyFreeLegalAdviceClinics,andhave madeprovisionforthedutylawyertoringanyclientswhodonot wishtocometothebureau. Yougetabout15minutesoffree advicefromthedutylawyers,buttheycannotactforyouincourt or inanyothermatter.

We liketothinkwedo asimilarjob –atleastweshouldknow whetheryouarereallygoingtoneedtocontract alawyer,or whetheryoucanworkthroughwhateverprocessitiswith alittle supportfromoneofourvolunteers. We willalsosend youalink to,orposttoyou,the relevantpageofinformationfromourtruly fabulouswebsite.Havingourbasicinformationonthesubject allowsyoutomakebetteruse of anytimewith alawyerlater.

We arehereonlinetoo,beingoneofonly afewbureauxnationally whohandlethelivechat enquiriesfromthewebsite.SinceCovid thisservicehasmorethandoubledinpopularityas awayofgetting theadvicepeopleneedforurgentemployment,tenancyand parentingrightsissues.

eforbenefitrightsenquiriestoo,withourpart-time beneficiarysupportworker readytonavigatethecomplexityofthe ystemandensurepeoplearegettingeverythingtheyare legallyentitledto receiveinthisturbulenttime.

Duringlockdown ourvolunteershelpedtheMinistryforSocial Developmentcontact agroupofover-70yearoldswholivealone andwhodonot haveanelectroniccontact. We arehappyto report hem,as onevolunteersaid,“had just returnedfroma longwalkandwereabouttogetonwiththebottling”.Therewere manywhoweregratefulforthecontactandsomewecouldarrange hatwedo,sodon’tsufferfromlackofknowledgeabout yourrights,orfromaninabilitytoarticulateyourcircumstances, sour reasonforexisting.Our second reasontoexist thatcentralgovernmentknowsaboutany systemic barriers,whichwedothroughourpolicypeoplein Wellingtonwho egislation. reporttogovernmentwasaboutthenumberofpeople avethe useofacomputer,orknowhowtouse one, orhave accesstotheinternet.It’scalleddigitalexclusion,andwas presented afew monthsbeforeCovid. Ausefulpieceof research, asitturnsout!

We trainour volunteerstobemorethan alisteningear -although thatalwayshelps.Ourjobistomakesureyouunderstandthe optionsavailabletoyou,whateveryourcurrentcircumstance.No strings,free,confidential,independentadvice.Notsure?Askus.

TfromCapeReingatoAucklandand beyond.tlc4u2providesACCfundedcare forclientswho havesustainedaninjury, whetherit’sassistingtaking aclienttoan appointmentor24/7careforclientswho havetraumaticbraininjuriesorspinalcord injuries.

Withtheirlocallybasedteam,tlc4u2 provides24-hoursupporttoensureyou receivethelevelofsupportandcareyou needthatisdeliveredwithcompassion and understanding.tlc4u2worksalongside clientsandfamiliestoindividualisecare

needsandincorporate aholisticapproach. Havingforgedclose relationshipswithallied healthservices(hospice,socialworkers, districtnursing, homebasedsupport services,GP’s)tlc4u2hasaccesstohealth careresourcestoensurehighquality deliveryof services.

tlc4u2alsooffers abroadrangeof privatelyfundedhome-basedcare options assistingclientswithpost-operative, rehabilitative, respite,palliative,and overnightcare.Identifyingtheappropriate levelofcarewiththegoalofmaintaining andenhancinglifestylestopromote independenceiswhat tenderlovingcareis allabout.

Shouldyou requiresometenderloving careforyourselfor afamily member, whetherACCorprivatelyfundedgivetlc4u2 acallandoneofourlovelycoordinatorswill arrange anoobligationvisittosee howwe canassist.

Some commentsfromourclients:

“Veryeasytotalkwith. Ineverfelta nuisanceandamveryappreciativeofthe help Ihave received. Tookawaysomuch stress Ifelt.”

“If Iwasfeeling unwellmyhomehelp supporterwasalwaysconsiderate. Veryvery hardworkinglady.”

“Thecaregiverisgreatwhich reflectson yourcompany.Iconsider myselffortunate tohavemet acleanefficientcaringsupport worker”.

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

ForgetMeNot

TheNorthlandDisabledCharitable Trustis anon-profitorganisation andhasbeenoperatingthe Forget MeNotAdultDayCentreinTikipunga, Whangareisince1994.TheCentreisaday careserviceandisavailabletoadultsofall agesincludingthose whoare youngwith disabilities,theelderlyandfrail,thosewith memoryloss,headinjuriesand/orother disabilities.TheCentreprovidesqualityday carethatenhancesthewelfarenotonlyof theclientsbutalsoofthecarersandfamilies wholookaftertheirlovedonesat home on a24hour adaybasis.TheCentrehas capacityfor40clientvisitsperday.TheStaff arequalifiedintheirrespectivefields,and areexperiencedandcaring.Entrycriteria isbasedonyouvisitingandhaving alook aroundtodecideifyouwouldliketoattend.

Theprogrammeisstructuredwitha varietyofactivitiesthatprovidemotivation, education, rehabilitationandfun. Acooked lunchisprovideddailyforclientsand‘take home’meals serviceisavailableforclients who requireanevening meal.Clientsare transportedtoandfromtheCentrebythe Trustvans.

To achievethebestqualityserviceto ourcommunitythe Trust relies heavily on philanthropicfundingandsponsorshipto keeptheservicesustainable.

FrozenMeals

AtForget MeNotwe haveidentifieda needforsupplyofmealsthatareeasily heatedathome.

Thesedeliciousmealsarenot restricted toclientsonly,butareavailable foranyof

ThemealsarecookedinourWDCA certifiedkitchenbyourchefsandare freshlyfrozen. Mouliedmeals areavailableif neededon request.

ForgetMeNot wasanessentialservice duringthe recentCOVID19shutdown supplyinghundredsof mealstotheelderly disadvantagedandthosewithdisabilities intheWhangareiCommunity.Thesemeals weredeliveredtotheperson’sdoorstep. In responseForgetMeNothashadmany lettersofgratitudefromthosewhowould nothavebeenabletocopeintheisolation oftheirhomesduringthistime.

ForgetMeNot

110BoundaryRoad,Tikipunga WHANGAREI0112

Phone: 094371144

manager@forgetmenot.org.nz www.adultdaycentre.co.nz

AtTikipungawe specializeinallmechanical repairsincluding; transmissions &generalservices,WOF,brake andclutch repairsaswellastires.We have thelatesttechnologyanddiagnostic equipment to diagnose problemsinallJapaneseand Europeancars.Comeinandseeourfriendly staffatTikipunga Automotivetoday.HereatTikipungaAutomotive,we arededicated to treatingour customerswithhonesty,respect,andprofessionalism.We hopethat you findwhat you’re looking foronour website,butpleasedon’thesitateto contactus,should yourequiremoreinformation,ortobook yourcarin.

WelcometoSpectrumCare –how can we help?

We’reanindependentcharitable trustthatprovidessupportfor children,young peopleandadults withdisabilitiesandtheirwhanau.

Ourservicesinclude24-hoursupportfor peoplelivingin residentialhomes,anda widerangeofflexible respitesupportoptions intheNorthland,Auckland, Waikato,Bay of Plentyand Wellington regions.

We alsoprovidein-home‘buddy’ support,post-school‘transitions’andgoaloriented‘aspirations’support, alongwith arangeofschoolholiday,after-schooland weekend respiteprogrammes.

Ourindependentlivingsupportis specificallyfocusedonempoweringpeople towardslivingtheirlivesofchoice –lives likeanyother –inthecommunity,andwe alsoprovidesupportforpeopletowards achievingtheir employmentgoals.

Thesesupportscanbefullyfunded throughyourwhanaumember’sneeds assessmentor‘NASC’funding,partially fundedthroughCarerSupportpayments and‘toppedup’,orprivatelyfundedona fee-for-servicebasis.

Ouraimistoensuredisabledpeople

We alsouse a‘oneteam’approach tobuildtrustandfamiliarity,andwork withpeopleandwhanautodevelop individualisedsupportoptionsthatareeasy touseandaccess.

Talktoustodayaboutour flexiblesupport optionsandtodiscussyourspecificneeds.

We offera wide arrayofflexible supportoptionsintheNorthland, Auckland, Waikato, BayofPlenty and Wellingtonregions,whichcan bestructured to suiteach family’suniqueneeds.

Ouraimis to ensurepeoplehave choice, control andflexibilityinthe supportstheyreceiveand havethe opportunity to co-create their own supportoptions. We alsooffera navigatorservice 0508 NAVIG8 aimed athelpingfamiliesnew to disabilitysupport. Contactustodaytofindoutmore!

www.spectrumcare.org.nz info@spectrumcare.org.nzI 096343790 I

)

What’sgoingonat BlomfieldSpecialistSchool?

Learning,laughterandliveswelllived –that’s whatishappeningforBlomfield Students!

BlomfieldSchoolholds aspecialplace inthe heartsofmanyNortherners. We are a‘oneof akind’ schooluphere,offering apersonallydriven programme of support thathelpstoactivatetherightkindof learningforeachindividual student.

PersonalisedLearningPlans(PLPs)are co-constructedwithourstudentsand whanauto create abig,boldplanforwhole oflifelearning.Somestudentsmakeleaps andbound–somechipawaymakingsmall buttreasuredprogress-itdoesn westartwherethestudentis

Hereare someFunFactsabout Blomfield:

Didyouknow...

•Wehave aheat poolatourCentralCampus?

•Weare oneoftheclosestschool tothecentralbusinessdistrictin Whangarei?

•Wehave avisiting andDrumming

•Wehave adedicated Maori?

•Wehaveseven‘satellite‘classesat MorningsideSchool,Manaia SchoolandKamoHigh?

•Wehaveover100passionate, experienced an

•WeprovideOutreach Teachersto provideORSSpecialist Teachertime tostudentsin mainstreamschoolsor onCorrespondence?

•Wehave adedicatedLiteracyCoach and aMathsCoachwhoareexperts indeliveringtheseprogrammes tostudentswithlearningsupport needs?

•WehavesatelliteunitsatKaitaia PrimaryandKaitaiaCollege?

•WehaveKapaHakasessions weekly?

•Wehave adedicatedStudent Transport Coordinator?

•Weemploy ourownspecialists? We havetwoSpeechLanguage Therapists, oneOccupational Therapist,onePhysiotherapistand wehaveBehaviourSupportby registeredPsychologistsgoinginto classroomsthreedays aweek!

•Wehaveanexpanded MultiSensoryRoomwithStateoftheArt equipment?

•Wehave afulltimeWorkExperience JobCoachforourseniorstudents? adedicatedHardMaterials chnology Teacherandworkroom? avetwohighlyskilledFood chnology Teachers? eson –thisishowwecan hatwehave awayforallstudents totapintoandengageinlearning–sothat theycanlearn,laughandlivetheirbest

Comeandseeusandletuschangeyour

BlomfieldSpecialistSchool Freephone: 094382105 admin@blomfield.school.nz www.blomfield.school.nz

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

SpecialOlympicsWhangarei

SportingOpportunitiesforAthleteswith anIntellectualDisability

Since1984whenthenMayorJoyce Ryan collectedtogether acommitteeofinterested locals,SpecialOlympicshasbeenproviding sportstrainingcompetitionandsocialising opportunitiesforintellectuallychallenged athletesinWhangarei.

Today agroupofcommittedvolunteers helptoprovideactivitiesinWhangareiand Dargaville foraround60personswithan Intellectualimpairmentwhowouldnormallybe sidelinedin mainstreamcompetitivesports.

SpecialOlympicsWhangareiispartof anationwidenetworkof44similarclubs administratedoverallfrom Wellington, inturnaffiliatedtoSpecialOlympics International, aworld-wideorganisationof some 5millionathletes.Ourfolkareingood company.

We aremultisport.Joinus,andyou cantrainandcompeteinany,orall,of: athletics,equestrian,football,indoorBowls, swimmingand Tenpinbowling.Someof our peopletakepartin more thanoneactivity eachweek. Ahandfulparticipatein 3or4.

We caterforathletesalmostfrom 8to 80.SomeofourcurrentAthletes began asprimaryschoolpupils at Blomfield Schoolbackinthe1980’s.One reasonable subscriptioncoverseverything.All prospectiveathletesneedis adoctor’s verificationofintellectualimpairmentanda currentmedicalcertificate.

Whileweareprimarily asportingclubwe arecommittedtoprovidingopportunities

forourpeopletowidentheirhorizons,use initiative,tolearn tospeakout,exp opinionsandtakecontrol.

Ourmottois, By athletes. We areencouraging toactasathletecoacheswithsupport,and suggestingthatourvolunteersstan andmentorratherthan Shouldyouwishtoj becauseyou willbeworkin peopleyouwillneed clearance,which we Interestedpare prospectivevolunteers,orvolunteer driverspleasecontactourchairperson: MartinBarrie02111

Sportingand recreationopportunitiesfor personswithanIntellectualimpairment

We aremultisportathletics:equestrian, football,indoorbowls,swimmingand tenpinbowling

Athletesfrom 8to80yearsold

Developingselfesteem— encouraginginitiative

Activitiesdevelopedbytheathletes, fortheathletes

ForallenquirescontactMartinBarrie Phone:0211182422 –LikeusonFacebook.

Proudpatron of Whangarei

Carefor agreatcareer?

Ifyou’reinterestedinworkingwith peoplewhofacechallengesinlife, NorthTechasseveralstudyoptions whichmightinterestyou.

Youcantrainorupskillfor acareerinthe caringprofessions by studying someofour mostpopularprogrammes,whichprepare youforemploymenthereinTeTai Tokerau.

Ourthree-yearnursing degreewillenable youtogointoworkin awidevarietyof healthsettings,fromhospital-basednursing toworkinthecommunity.Youcanchoseto gointoworkhelpingandsupportingpeople withmentalor physical healthissues.

Manypeoplechoosetostudynursing atNorthTecduetotheirownexperiences, orthatoftheirwha¯nauandfriends. You’ll studywithpeopleofallages,fromall backgroundsandwalksoflife,whoare broughttogetherintheclassroomby theircaringnatureandtheirdesiretogive somethingbacktothecommunity.

YoucanapplydirectlytojointheBachelor ofNursingprogramme.However,ifyou’ve beenoutofstudyfor awhile,orhaveleft

schoolwithoutgainingUniversit (UE),youcanstartwith alower-grade qualificationwhichcanthenleadyouto beingacceptedforthedegree.

TheLevel 4NewZealandCertificatein StudyandCareerPreparationisoffered byNorthTecwith afocusonhealth,social servicesorenvironmentalscience. Taught inKaitaia,Kerikeriand Whanga¯rei,it’sa greatintroductiontoanyofthesedegree programmesandwillhelpyoubrushup yourstudyskillsandbuildyourconfidence inyouracademicabilities.

Youmightalsobe interestedin studying healthandwellbeing.TheNewZealand CertificateinHealthand Wellbeing

StudyfromhomewithNorthTec

I

fyouprefertoupskill fromhome, NorthTeccanhelpwithourrangeof TANZeCampusonlinestudyoptions. Thesecanbestudiedanytime, anywhere,andyou’llstill receivethe supportofourexperiencedandcaring tutors.They’refullyonlineandweoffer awiderangeofqualifications,the most

popularbeingintheareasofbusiness, administrationandinformationtechnology. Formoreinformationortoenrolgoto https://www.northtec.ac.nz/programmes/ ecampus.

Forcreativetypes,NorthTecalso offersfully onlineprogrammesinapplied writing. Youcanlearnhowtowriteasa

(MentalHealthandAddictions)is aLevel 4qualificationwhichyoucanstudyin Whanga¯rei,KerikeriorKaitaia.

It’ssomethingof avoyageofdiscovery, asyoulearnaboutyourselfinthecourse oflearninghowtohelpothers.Again, manystudentsonthisprogrammedrawon theirownpersonalandfamilyexperiences whilestudyinghowtheycanbestprovide professional supporttopeople.

AlongwiththeCertificateinStudyand CareerPreparation,thisprogrammecan alsooffer asteppingstonetoNorthTec’s BachelorofAppliedSocial Work.Thesocial workdegreeis afour-yearprogramme whichpreparesyoufor acareerworking withsomeofNewZealand’smost vulnerablepeople.

Again,you’lldiscoveryourselfasyou explorehowto supportpeoplelivingunder challengingcircumstances,andworkto improvethelivesofindividuals,wha¯nauand communities.

professional,fromdevelopinganideato publishingyourwork.Gotohttps://www. northtec.ac.nz/programmes/appliedwritingforfull details.

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

Learningdisorderbecomes ateachingtoolforGeorgia

DegreestudentGeorgiaMillernever realisedshewasdyslexicuntilshe cameto studyatNorthTec.

Georgia,now24,whogrewupin Kerikeri,completed aBachelor of Sportand Recreation1 atNorthTecin2017. Shethen wentontostudyteachertrainingat Waikato University,andisnowinhersecondyearas aPEteacher.

Sheloves herjob, lovesteachingat WhangareiGirls’HighSchool,andhasa particularpassionfor hockey.

However,Georgiacreditshersuccess tothesupportshe receivedatNorthTec, especiallytheexpertassistanceprovidedby AcademicAdvisor,IrisHutchinson.

Whenshe reachedhersecondyearof studiesattertiarylevel,Georgiabeganto struggleacademically.Shesaid:“Iwas actuallyabouttogiveup. Iunderstood everythingbut withmywriting,itdidn’t comeouthow Iwantedit.Irisaskedif Iwas dyslexic –I repliedthat no,Ican’tbeifI’m goingtobe ateacher.”

As aresultoftheirconversation,Georgia decidedtotake atestfordyslexia,which identifiedthatshedid havethelearning disorder,whichischaracterisedby difficultiesin readingandwriting.

Shesaid:“Iristotallyisthe reasonwhyI passedandkeptgoing. Ilookedatitasa disability,butshesaiditwasjustanother

wayofthinking.Atfirstitwas andthenitwasreli supportwhichiswhatgo

“IwouldgotoIrisandshewouldhelp mewithdifferenttechniquesanddifferent waysofwritingmyw amazing. Iwasabletotaketh onafterwardsanditwasthemtha thoughmyteachertraining.”

Now,asafully-fled saysherattitudetowardsherdyslexiahas changed.Shetellsherstudentssheis dyslexic,andthatshema Thisinturnenablesthemtoopenuptoher andnotfeelafraidof takingriskswiththeirlearning.

Shesaid:“Soithasturnedouttobea goodthinginmyl amazing,andNorthTecisamazingfor peoplethatneedthatclose withtheirtutors.Ifyou’r outofhigh school,orifyou writing,NorthTecisthebest.”

HuriaBruce-Iri,NorthTec’ StudentServices,said:“Anystuden isstrugglingforany teamofNavigatorsfo themtoourAdvisors,whocanhel academicmattersanddisabilityissues, wellasfinancialissues andassistancetoourstudentswho itis akeyfeatureofl

1 ThisisanAUT degree,taughtanddeliveredin NorthlandbyNorthTec

2020-2021

CALENDAR OFEVENTS

AUGUST2020

1st –31st HeartKidsMonthwww.heartkids.org.nz 28th CancerSocietyDaffodilDay

SEPTEMBER2020

1st-30th WorldAlzheimer’sMonth

1st –30th RememberSeptember –StudentsAgainstDrunk Drivingwww.sadd.org.nz SeptemberMonth -CerebralPalsywww.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/

1st-30th MuscularDystrophy AwarenessCampaign

1st-30th CharcotMarie Tooth(CMT) AwarenessMonth(partofMDA) 7th DuchenneMuscularDystrophy AwarenessDay

15th –21st MultipleSclerosis Awarenessweekwww.msnz.org.nz 22ndor23rdAlzheimer’sMemory Walk –Dargaville,KerikeriandWhangarei-Roundtheloop www.alzheimers.org.nz

21st WorldAlzheimer’sDaywww.alzheimers.org.nz

21st -28th Arthritis Awareness Weekwww.arthritis.org.nz

21st –27th WeekoftheDeafandNZSL Weekwww.deaf.org.nz 22nd Walk 2D’FeetMNDwww.mnd.org.nz

23rdUnitedNationsInternationalDayofSign Languages

30th LimbGirdleMuscularDystrophy AwarenessDay

30th WorldDeafDaywww.nfd.org.nz

OCTOBER2020

1st InternationalDayofOlderPersonwww.ageconcern.org.nz

2nd Tiaho Trust/AgeConcernKaitaiaSeniorsExpo 2ndto8th Stroke Awareness Weekwww.stroke.org.nz

10thAnnually WorldMentalHealthDaywww.mentalhealth.org.nz

12th WorldArthritisDay

15th –17th Blind WeekStreetCollection

25th WorldSightDay

27th BrainInjuryNorthland BlastFundraiserDinner(possiblytobepostponed) 25th-27th Alzheimer’sConference,Aucklandwww.alzheimers.org.nz

NOVEMBER2020

To beadvised MS WalktheLoop DECEMBER2020

3rdAnnually InternationalDayofPeoplewithDisabilities -Tiaho Trustcelebration –CameronStreetMall10am –2pm 10thAnnually WorldHumanRightsDay www.amnesty.org.nz

JANUARY2021

4th WorldBrailleDay FEBRUARY2021

4th AnnualInternationalEpilepsyDaywww.epilepsy.org RuakakaSurfDay(Datetobeannounced)

28th RareDiseaseDay MARCH2021

1st –31st Neurological AwarenessMonth 1st-31st CerebralPalsy AwarenessMonth

WhatMakes aGoodLife?

2020-2021 CALENDAROFEVENTS

21stAnnually DownSyndrome AwarenessDaywww.nzdsa.org.nz

24th-25th BlindFoundationGuideDogRedPuppyAppeal 26th Epilepsy Awareness“PurpleDay”www.purpleday.org

APRIL2021

2ndAnnually WorldAutism AwarenessDaywww.autismnz.org.nz

2nd-7th Parkinson'sSociety AwarenessandAppeal Weekwww.parkinsons.org.nz 11thAnnually WorldParkinson’sDaywww.parkinsons.org.nz

MAY2021

1st –31st MultipleSclerosis AwarenessMonth

1st-31st Huntington’sAwarenessMonth 1st –31st Bake aDifferenceCampaign(MuscularDystrophyNZ)

9thMay WorldLupusDay 30th WorldMultipleSclerosis AwarenessDaywww.worldmsday.org

JUNE2021

1st -30th HeartKidsMonth

1st-30th MND AwarenessMonth 20th FSH

21st GlobalALS/MND Awarenessdaywww.mnda.org.nz

JULY2021

1st –7th NeurologicalFoundationAppeal Week 27th MyotonicDystrophy AwarenessDay

Parkinson’sNorthlandSUPPORTGROUPS

Kerikeri-3rdThursdaymonthly

Kaitaia –3rd Tuesdayevery2ndmonth

Whangarei –1stFridaymonthly

Dargaville –1stThursdayevery2ndmonth

Waipu –3rd Fridaymonthly

WeeklyExerciseGroups: Walking,Singing/voicetraining, Hydrotherapy,Physiotherapy, BallroomDance,MovementforPDand TaiChi(Kerikeri)

Alzheimer’sNorthlandSupportGroups

Whangarei –1st Wednesdayofthemonth

And2ndThursdayofthemonth

Ngunguru –3rd Tuesdayofthemonth

Onerahi –1st Tuesdayofthemonth

Kerikeri –1st Wednesdayofthemonth

Kaitaia –2nd Wednesdayofthemonth

Mangawhai -2nd Wednesdayofthemonth

Dargaville –2nd Wednesdayofthemonth

BreamBay-1st Wednesdayofthemonth

Arthritis20+NorthlandSupportGroups

Whangarei -1stSaturdayofthemonth

BrainInjuryAssociationNorthlandSUPPORTGROUPS

Kerikeri –1stThursdaymonthly

Dargaville –2ndThursdaymonthly

Kaitaia –3rd Thursdaymonthly

Whangarei –ThelastThursdaymonthly

StrokeFoundationNorthlandSupportGroups

Whangarei –Every TuesdayHydrotherapyClasses

Every3rdWednesdayStrokeClub

EveryFriday ToastmasterGavelClubGroup

YoungStrokeSurvivorsGroup

Dargaville –1stMondayofthemonthStrokeSurvivors

Kaikohe –1stMondayofthemonthStrokeSurvivors

MultipleSclerosisNorthlandSupportGroup

Whangarei –LastThursdayofthemonth EveryThursdayexerciseclass MidNorth/Kerikeri –2ndThursdayBiMonthly

“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

Aboutthe “No Problem, You’re Welcome” workshop

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

The“NoProblem You’re Welcome”trainingworkshopusesreal examplesofpeople’sexperiencesasconsumerswith adisability.

Thisis ashort andcost-effective meansofproviding professional developmentfor staffthatcan have Each of ourworkshopfacilitatorsare people withadisability. They offerrealinsightsinhow to be providingexcellentcustomerservice to disabledpeopleinthe same wayasfor allyourcustomers.

RegionalBusiness Partners50%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 thoughtaboutthat…”wereasure sign that newways of thinking andacting will result from theworkshops.”

Michael Boyd, Manager -Learning &Development, FarNorthDistrictCouncil

“Jonny andhis team at TiahoTrust have been providingDisability Responsiveness Training to our2nd year nursingstudentsatNorthTecfor thepast5 years now. Thesession provided to us hasbeentailoredtosuitthe learning needsofthe students andmeetour objectives.Facilitatorsareknowledgeable,entertainingand connect withtheclass 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.”

LindaChristianRN,MN, SeniorNursingLecturer,NorthTec

Mobility &Daily Living EquipmentforSale &Hire

•Scooters /PowerChairs /Ramps

•E-Bikes

•Walkers /Wheelchairs

•Crutches /WalkingSticks

•Kitchen /DailylivingEquipment

•AdjustableBeds /LiftChairs

•Bathroom /ToiletEquipment/ SafetyRails

• Andsomuchmore.

MobileVan Services

Ourmobilevanservice travelsthroughout Northlandon amonthly basis.Wearealsohappy toprovidein-home demonstrationswithsome ofourequipment (fees& conditionsmayapply).

Community GroupEquipment Presentations Weprovidefreeand informativeequipment presentationsandtraining tocommunitygroups andorganisations,health groupsandprofessionals.