Starting a new life in a new city as a person with disabilities - by Alicia Kapa
Moving to Christchurch had been a journey, it is for able-bodied people but for people with a disability, it is more so. Before writing this blog I was thinking about what would be interesting for you, so I decided to write about the differences between my life in Auckland and Christchurch.
Organising events and getting out there again – by Lindsay Nott
After recently spending some time in the hospital supporting new patients a common question was about ‘attending events and functions with mates and family’ and whether it was possible.
The answer is yes, you can! Booking these events are a little different, more detailed and time-consuming.
The reality is you need prior preparation.
Preparation and spontaneity are the keys to life. Sporting grounds, movie theatres and major entertainment venues offer accessible viewing.
FINDING WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL – by Bill Fuller
When I was growing up I was sports-mad. Give me an opportunity and I’d have a go; tennis, squash, rugby, soccer, hockey and especially cricket which I played into my 50’s. One sport that had never piqued my interest was basketball. Since becoming disabled in 2015 I tried wheelchair table tennis however a nerve condition soon put a frustrating stop to that venture. Sport was not on my agenda at all from then on but through a chance comment, I found wheelchair basketball or did it find me?
How do we move from segregation to true inclusion? – by Marlena Katene
The other day I received a message:
“Hi Marlena,
I wanted to see if I could pick your brain on something. I am managing a support provider team here in XXX. We have just set up a house that will have respite/day programs/our office. I wanted to chat with you about how I can make it as inclusive as possible. I have thoughts around connecting with clients on skills they already have and setting up a group market stall in the local markets and teaching and supporting on how to set margins and make money i.e. selling seedlings for our gardeners, artworks etc.
Tips on Giving Disability Items for Christmas – by Susan Seipel
The halls are decked, there is a tree inside the house, and carols play non-stop in every shopping centre… Christmas is in full swing! So here are a few tips to consider if you wish to give disability-related items or aids as Christmas gifts.
Firstly, has the receiver expressed a need/want for a particular item, for example, if they have said they wanted a portable ramp to take with them on trips? If yes, this is 100% an excellent gift idea!
The importance of Self Advocacy - by Tyrone Cook
Learning to advocate for yourself is a very important skill for people who are disabled, even more so for those who are non-speakers.
Many people believe those who are nonspeaking (and sadly some of these people are a part of the disabled community) are unable to represent themselves and should not be represented.
Communication First aimed to dispel this with the documentary LISTEN which was created by non-speakers to educate people about how this ignorance can be a bad thing.
Rebuilding and Navigating Trust in Mental Health – by Ferris Knight
Recently I started seeing a new doctor. He seemed nice enough and it was only short term as my psychiatrist didn’t have admitting rights to the hospital. This meant that control of my health was given to someone who saw me for five minutes twice a week instead of the doctor I’d seen for years and built trust with. But I was there because I didn’t know what to do anymore. Everything I’d tried hadn’t helped, and it all got more serious than I could deal with at home. I thought I’d be admitted to the hospital for two or maybe three weeks.
Moving to another city – by Alicia Kapa
So in my last blog, I said I had something exciting happening that I was going to tell you about in my next blog. The exciting news is that I moved again, not only houses but also cities and even islands!!
Life After a Spinal Cord Injury is Different, But it Goes On – by Lindsay Nott
During rehabilitation I took part in weekly gym sports activities - different things ranging from 10-pin bowling, rugby, and going to the movies. Not only did I do physiotherapy and got my body moving, but I also wanted to become more independent