May 2015 - CCS Disability Action

Widening
Horizons
News and
perspectives
on disability
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UPPER SOUTH | May 2015
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THIS ISSUE:
THIS ISSUE:
Home
Sharlene
at Home
Page
13
Ma-rea Clayton
and Home
Page
18
Andrew
at Home
Page
8
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This
Issue:
Letter from
the Editor
Letter from the Editor 2-3
From the Chief Executive’s Chair
4
Ministry of Education Report
on Special Education
5
Hon Nicky Wagner,
Minister for Disability Issues
6
7-9
I've Got My Freedom Back
This is Our Home
10-11
Home Away From Home
12
This is My New Home
13
The Importance of Families
with Disabled Children
Having a Break
14
CCS Disability Action
Holiday Homes
15
Education Support Worker
News
16
Children's Day Celebration
16
Volunteers Become
Life Members
17
Introducing
18-22
Many Thanks
22
National Certificates
completed!
23
Housing is a very common
topic in our media and general
conversation at present. The
lost and damaged houses in
Christchurch, the high price of
housing in Christchurch and
Auckland in particular, and the
lack of accessible housing are all
of concern. However, rather than
focusing on “housing” alone we
have chosen to look at the broader
theme of “Home“ in this issue.
Having a home is taken for granted
by many. However, as Hon Nicky
Wagner, Minister for Disability
Issues and Christchurch Central
MP, notes on page 6, numerous
Cantabrians have recently had
reason to think deeply about what
home means to them, as homes
were lost, damaged or at risk due
to various issues linked to the
earthquakes.
This
edition
of
"Widening
Horizons" celebrates the idea of
home and the sense of belonging
and security that it brings. As
you read through this edition
you will be introduced to Denyse,
Andrew, Adrian, Cruz, Shanae
and Sharlene “at home” as they
generously invite us into their
homes and share what home
means to them. Julie Hill, who has
been providing a home away from
home for children since 2001,
tells us about what it has meant
to invite others into her home on
page 13.
Supporting people to build,
develop and sustain full lives in
their homes and communities
is the focus of our work at CCS
Disability Action. People are of
course at the heart of this work
and I hope that you will enjoy
the introductions to some of our
newer staff involved in delivering
these supports through their work
as presented on pages 20 -24.
Our Kaimahi Whanau Regional
Coordinator, Ma-rea Clayton, also
provides an overview of her life
journey, in which home is a central
feature on pages 20-21.
We celebrate the success of staff
Explore the beautiful West Coast from a great home base
Bradley House (pictured right) provides an accessible and
affordable "home base" for a holiday on the West Coast. Located
close to Shantytown, the four bedroom house, can be booked
through our Christchurch office on 03-365 5661.
For further details refer to page 15.
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members working towards and achieving National
Certificates in Disability Support on page 25. I
am sure you will join me in congratulating Danny,
Christine, Phillippa, Michael, Carolyn, Becs, Sue
and Mandy .
Volunteer contributions are much valued also
in our organisation and it has been great to see
Kevin O'Loughlin and Rosie Carruthers of Timaru
receive Branch Life Membership in recognition of
their contributions over the years as per page 19.
Ellwyn Mackie and Chris Gallagher are also seen
being acknowledged for their governance service
on page 22.
As this edition demonstrates, making and keeping
a home is not always an easy task and support can
make a very positive difference. I encourage you to
think about what home means to you and how you
can help others make and keep their own homes.
Thank you for your support and interest in our work
and the lives of others.
Ruth Teasdale
Regional Manager
Thoughts on “Home”
Here are some of my favourite
quotes about “home”:
The ache for home lives in all of us. The
safe place where we can go as we are and
not be questioned – Maya Angelou
Home is where one starts from – T S Eliot
If you go anywhere, even paradise, you
will miss your home – Malala Yousafzai
Winter is the time for comfort, for good
food and warmth, for the touch of a
friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:
it is the time for home – Edith Sitwell
Bradley House, Paroa, West Coast
Widening Horizons.
Horizons.September
May 2015 2014
3
From the Chief
Executive’s Chair
An Eye to the Future
On the 23rd February we launched our “year of
celebration” in Timaru to mark the fact that CCS
Disability Action has been working for 80 years
in the community. Timaru was the place where
in 1935 a Rotary Conference confirmed the
decision to set up this organisation. Over this time
we have changed as an organisation not just by
name (Crippled Children Society to NZCCS to CCS
Disability Action), but also in the way that we work.
In the early days we focused on the needs of young
people who experienced impairment and disability
from contracting poliomyelitis, as well as some
other specific named conditions. Today we support
disabled people, their families and whanau to live a
“good life” and are now a pan-disability organisation
delivering services and supports to people of
all ages as well as working with communities to
remove barriers to participation.
We have moved from “caring for” to “supporting”
and “working alongside”. This might seem to be a
play on words, but it is more than that. It recognises
that we see the disabled person as being clearly
in the driver’s seat, taking charge of their life and
seeking support from us where and when they
see a need. It is a move from dependency to interdependency and a clear partnership between the
disabled person, their family, the community and
organisations like ours.
This journey has not always been easy. Even today,
we still receive comments about these changes
and how they mean that we are “not like we used to
be.” Not everyone was supportive of our moves to
exit residential care and day centre programmes.
People sometimes raise concerns of people
becoming isolated in their community. On the other
hand, I can quote many examples of people whose
lives have opened up and become just so different
and positive once they were able (with support)
to move away from residential care into the home
setting of their choice or away from day programmes
to be truly involved with their community.
over the years, it is clear to me that we do not and
cannot exist in isolation from people and their
communities. We have benefited greatly from the
work of other community organisations as well as
the hundreds of volunteers over the years that have
supported our work, either through being members
of our Governance groups or just making their time
available to work with us.
I am proud to lead this organisation and want to
acknowledge the great work that takes place each
day across the whole of New Zealand. We do not
always get it right, but our resolve is to continually
work to improve and learn so that we can continue
to be an organisation that makes a difference to
the lives of disabled people and the communities
they live in.
David Matthews is Chief Executive of CCS
Disability Action.
We would not have achieved all we have or survived
the last 80 years without community support.
From our early days with its links to Rotary and our
building of community connections and support
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Ministry of Education Report on
Special Education
Mission Accomplished?
Education Minister Hekia Parata has heralded a
new report from the Education Review Office (ERO)
as evidence of a “sea change” for inclusion. The
report, "Inclusive practices for students with special
needs in schools", appears to show that schools
have become significantly more inclusive towards
children with additional educational needs.
Education Review Office found that some parents
had to try several schools before their children were
enrolled. This mirrors the findings of CCS Disability
Action’s previous Families Choices research.
“Schools have become much more welcoming
places for children with special educational needs.
Schools can be proud of the progress they have
made,” says Ms Parata.
“A lack of funding is a reoccurring issue and so is
difficulty accessing support from the Ministry of
Education. While more funding is not always the
answer, all students should be getting the support
they need to thrive at school. If this is not happening
then we need to look deeper at our funding and
support systems.”
Chief Executive of CCS Disability Action, David
Matthews, said the report highlights that many
schools are developing innovative ways to include
all students in the academic and social life of their
school.
“There are some great success stories in this report
and it clearly shows that with a bit of thought and
creativity all students can be included. Furthermore,
the key characteristics of inclusive schools — good
leadership, well-organised systems and innovative
practices — benefit all students. Schools that are
good at including students with disabilities are
great schools overall too.”
But he cautions that changes to the way the
research was undertaken by ERO has skewed the
results.
“The Education Review Office broadened the focus
of the new report to cover all students with special
education needs, rather than just students with
high needs. The sample size is also over 30 per
cent smaller than the previous 2010 report with
significantly less rural schools.”
As the report itself says:
The report also found issues with funding, Mr
Matthews said:
Mr Matthews also said that a weakness of the
report was its failure to emphasise that students
with disabilities have a right to a good education at
their local school.
“While it is great to celebrate the positive work of
schools, at the end of the day, every student has a
right to a good education at their local school. The
Ministry of Education and ERO are still reluctant at
times to enforce the right to education. Sometimes
schools need to be challenged and too many
schools are still unaware of the rights of students
with disabilities.”
More Thoughts on “Home”
I long, as does every human being,
to be at home wherever I find
myself – Maya Angelou
There is nothing more important than a
good, safe, secure home – Rosalynn Carter
“The information may not be strictly comparable
across the years, as the 2010 rating referred to
students with high needs while the 2014 rating
referred to students with special education needs.”
Home is the nicest word there
is – Laura Ingalls Wilder
The report also notes that caution is needed in
judging the results, as it is difficult to determine
which schools may have turned students away. The
Home is where the heart is – Pliny the Elder
Horizons. September
Widening Horizons.
May 2015 2014
There is nothing like staying at home
for real comfort – Jane Austen
5
Hon Nicky Wagner,
Minister for Disability Issues
A place we can call home
By the Hon Nicky Wagner
Most of us aspire to live in a place we can call home.
Home is a place where you feel comfortable, safe
and secure. Your home is a place where you can
be truly yourself in the company of family, whānau
and friends, and where you feel connected to your
community. My own home is in Christchurch. This
is where I feel I belong; this is where my heart is.
The loss of your home
can feel like losing
part of yourself. Given
the damage caused
by the Christchurch
earthquakes, I understand only too well
the emotional pain
and deep sadness
experienced by so
many people in my city.
I know that disabled people can experience barriers
to work, something that also impacts on their sense
of belonging in the community.
On the jobs front I am pleased to have initiated
an employment pilot in the Christchurch region.
Project 300 will harness the opportunities offered
by the region’s low unemployment and help get
300
disabled
people currently on
a benefit into work.
This is ambitious
but a worthwhile
goal.
I am also pleased
that the Disability
Action Plan 20142018 has persondirected outcomes
and result areas
directly relevant to
both issues. These
include
safety
and
autonomy,
community
and
access.
Disabled people have
the same aspirations
of having a place to call
home, just like all New
Zealanders. However,
poor design and layout
can make it difficult
to get around and
use different rooms
and facilities with
ease. Disabled people
may also experience
barriers in getting from
home to work or out to
the shops. This can impact on their sense of feeling
at home in their community.
In my role as
Minister
for
Disability
Issues,
I am interested in
improving access
for disabled New
Zealanders to not
only publicly accessible buildings but to the private
places called home.
The message I want to convey is that accessibility
is a great way to future-proof a property. Making
a home accessible makes it more attractive to a
wider variety of tenants and can benefit owners,
tenants and future owners alike.
The feedback I get from disabled people is that they
want to be able to live an ordinary life like all New
Zealanders. This means future proofing homes
with better accessibility and helping more disabled
people into work.
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I’ve got my freedom back!
If you asked ten people to describe what “home” means for
them, you are likely to receive ten very different answers. I
spoke with Denyse Parkes and Andrew Dobier to learn what
home means to them as individuals.
By Leigh Montford
Denyse Parkes
In her heyday Denyse Parkes
worked as a nurse, and a chef,
and is now retired. Denyse
previously lived in residential
care for two years. When she
informed staff there that she
wanted to move into her own
home, Denyse was told that she
could not do it.
“When I was told that, I felt
very angry — and I was more
determined to do it!”
Now Denyse is living in her
own home, a rental provided
by Accessible Properties. “I can
come and go, or visit friends
when I choose. I’ve got my
freedom back. I can do whatever
I want. It’s my home.”
Denyse receives assistance
from carers each morning and
evening.
Living in her own home has
presented Denyse with some
challenges. “I have had to think
about new ways to do things. I’m
used to pressing a button and
help comes.”
Denyse advises other people
who want to live in their own
home to, “Just do it! Give it a
try. At first it’s hard, but you just
have to keep trying.”
Widening Horizons.
Horizons. September
Widening
May 2015 2014
7
I’ve got my freedom back!
Andrew Dobier
For more than forty years Andrew Dobier worked
as an accountant. “I came straight out of school
and worked as an accounts manager and claims
manager.”
“I was in a Christchurch City Council flat that was
as cold as the hobs of hell. It was so cold that you
could actually wipe your hands down the wall and
the water would just drip off your finger. Now I live
in a fully insulated home that has a heat
pump — this is just heaven by comparison!”
Andrew receives home help and he speaks
very highly of Ali, one of his carers. “Ali is
absolutely fantastic, she tries her best
to get me out every week to shop. When
Ali takes me out shopping she grabs the
trolley and takes it by the front end, while
I hold on to the back end and follow her.
"One day Ali was pulling the trolley along
and she suddenly thought ‘that’s funny
there’s not much resistance to the trolley.’
Ali turned around and saw I wasn’t there
— she got the shock of her life! What
happened was, Ali stopped momentarily
and I bent down to scratch my leg, and
when I went to grab the trolley again it
wasn’t there — it had gone. She’d flown
the coop!
Andrew is blind as a result of a retina detachment.
“They have operated on my eye four times to try
and reattach the retina. They were quite sure they
had it at one stage, but it didn’t happen.
“Ali was way down the aisle saying ‘Andrew,
Andrew where are you?’ While I’m saying
‘Ali, Ali, where are you?’ I could hear her,
and of course she could see me, so we eventually
got back together and carried on shopping. The
“I had a serious stroke quite a while before losing
my sight. The strokes are the things that have really
kicked me in the guts because I can’t remember
things. I have so much strife trying to remember
things. I like to remember things.”
Andrew lives in a new house which was built
earlier this year as part of Accessible Properties
development of social housing in Christchurch.
There are a cluster of houses together and they are
all single bedroom units.
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best part of shopping with Ali is that she knows
all my likes and dislikes and all the things I really
need. So Ali’s excellent in that respect.
is just unbelievable, and I always feel safe around
him because he’s such a big dog. The Guide Dog is
quite protective.
"Another day I was outside with Peter and his Guide
Dog, I was walking towards a clothes line and the
Guide Dog was walking along behind with Peter.
Just before I walked into the clothes line Pete’s
Guide Dog had whizzed around in front of me and
stopped me from walking into it. He’s so special
that dog — it was as if he knew I am blind as well!”
The fact that Pete has an impairment the same as
Andrew’s is important for him. “It gives me hope. I
would like to get somewhere near where he is. I’d
like to be able to get into something where I can
coach people and teach them some skills.”
“For me Ali is like having a third mum because my
mother died from kidney failure when I was three.
Then my mothers’ sister adopted me so she became
my mother — I always called her Aunty B. I used to
introduce her as my mother, Aunty B, which must
have sounded ridiculous, but I loved that woman.
And Ali has taken over the role.”
Andrew’s advice to people who wish to live
independently is, “Try to keep your sense of
humour; and look after your carers.”
Andrew has a Community Support Worker named
Peter. “He’s my anchor man; we have a lot of fun
and a few laughs. Pete’s equally as blind as I am
and we just think, ah well it’s the blind leading the
blind! Pete teaches me lots of things, and he has a
Guide Dog.
“You’ve got to love his Guide Dog. That dog is out
of this world! One day, I was walking along in the
shop, Pete was following me with his Guide Dog,
and Pete kept saying to the Guide Dog ‘follow
Andrew.’ I thought crikey that’s amazing, because
when he’s travelling 10 feet behind how does the
Guide Dog know who to follow?
“What I found amazing was that Pete can totally rely
on him to make sure he was following in the right
direction. Pete’s relationship with his Guide Dog
Widening Horizons.
Horizons. September
May 2015 2014
For more information on rental homes
provided by Accessible Properties visit
www.accessibleproperties.co.nz.
People living in the South Island can contact
Julia Saunders,
telephone (04) 471 5766, email
julia.saunders@accessibleproperties.co.nz
9
This is Our Home
Adrian, Cruz and Shanae
By Pam Nicholls
CCS Disability Action, Blenheim Office
The house is neat and tidy. Adrian has just come in
from stacking the woodpile out in the shed ready
for winter. The three
flatmates, Adrian, Cruz
and Shanae, keep their
house cosy in the winter
with a fireplace — “the
crematorium!”, as Cruz
calls it.
The three tell of how they
came to live here, the
adjustments they’ve had
to make, the advantages,
and
their
favourite
“chores”.
Adrian articulates that
age-old motivation and
the others nod, relating
to it too: “I got tired of my
little brothers because
they were annoying! I
also had a goal to move
out of home by the time
I was 30, but I managed
to accomplish this when
I was 28. I’ve gotten
used to being in the flat.
It was hard at first, being
independent. Here I’ve
got a lot more jobs to do
— no Mum to clean up the
house.” He adds, jokingly,
“I’ve asked her to come
and clean it and to bring
me coffee at half past
seven to wake me up —
but she doesn’t!”
inspired me to cook so I can serve myself something
nice and spectacular to enjoy.” Denise was one of
the CSWs who supported
the trio into independent
living.
Had it been a good move?
Cruz continues, “It was
a disaster at first when I
was offered the option of
living in a flat till I met up
with my old mate, Adrian. I
knew his younger brother
before I got to meet up with
Adrian: ‘He, who needs
a coffee and sugar first
thing, in order to be nice!’”
Cruz continues, “I leave
the coffee and sugar in a
mug for him — he just has
to add the hot water and
the milk”. Adrian agrees,
“Yes, I’m like a zombie
till I wake up — I normally
talk gibberish”. Cute, Cruz
gets Adrian’s coffee cup
ready. Shanae lights up
with her beautiful smile
and interjects, “Cute?!
Whatever!” and Adrian
drives the point home:
“It’s about being a good
flatmate, not nice, not
cute — just being a good
flatmate”.
The camaraderie between
them is evident and it
is also clear that the flat
runs smoothly. “Derek
Using
what
Adrian
taught us to do chores,
describes as ‘gangster
Adrian, Shanae and Cruz
like cleaning windows and
language’, Cruz explains
how to vacuum.” (Derek
he was also keen to get away from home — “from
was an older flatmate, who left after about six
the ‘culprits’ a.k.a. mother-father. It was about me
months and is now married.)
getting to meet up with my homegirl, Denise, who
10
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Adrian is quick to explain that he
already knew how to vacuum,
having had a cleaning job. Now
Shanae has that job. She says she
LOVES vacuuming — and admittedly
the house is immaculate. The
physical activity ties in with the
Sport and Fitness Course she
is currently doing at the local
Community College. Her ambition
is to be a personal trainer.
Adrian says, “Derek also taught
us the coolest cooking techniques
and he served the most awesome
meals.” Cruz jumps in with, “P.S.
Must invite old flatmate to house
for tea.”
They fondly rattle off a litany of names for the
various CSWs who have supported them into their
independent living: “Denise the
Wildcat, Leanne the Musketeer
Landscape Lady, Mark the Jack of All
Trades, Mike the Mysterious MindReader, Bec the Professional.”
So, what are the others’ favourite
and least liked chores?
Cruz: “My favourite chore is mowing
lawns and the worst chore ever…
cooking the food and doing the
dishes. My night is Wednesday —
it’s the worst day, especially after
I’ve come back at a ridiculous
time, expected to fling out a menu
straight away.” Adrian points out to
Cruz that it’s only one night a week
that he has to cook and that they are all working.
Cruz has variable hours, describing himself as
“Supreme Packer at Blenheim Foods.”
And Adrian? “I’m the Trolley Master
at Pak ‘n Save, a.k.a. Trolley King. I
might be changing to my main goal
— to work with food, in the Bakery
or the Deli section. My worst chore
is weeding. I’ll do it, but I don’t
enjoy it.” Then he grins: “Is cooking
a chore?! If so, it’s my favourite.
I’m getting faster and faster at
chopping — now getting really fast
at everything but I was very slow
to start with. ‘My fingers are made
for burning’ — Marco Pierre White
said that on a TV cook show — I
Horizons. September
Widening Horizons.
May 2015 2014
seem to burn mine on the oven. It’s
Hell’s Kitchen here… I’m known
as Gordon Ramsay without the
swearing!” The others acquiesce
that he’s a good cook.
The house is located in central
Blenheim, with the “inferior
supermarket” just down the road,
as Adrian wryly notes.
So, what about transport? Adrian
rides a bicycle to work. “It’s going
good. I’m getting faster. It used to
take me twenty minutes, now fifteen
or less if it’s not busy. I haven’t had
a crash yet! I’m very cautious on
the road. I’ve got a motor scooter
and have to get it registered and then have some
lessons.”
Cruz? “I get hijacked by the
supervisor! — that’s how I get to
work.”
Shanae: “I walk! Being close to
town is definitely an advantage.”
There are some luscious looking
peaches in their garden and the
trio show off a vege patch where
they are currently growing carrots
and parsley. They will get on to
planting more vegetables ready for
winter.
It is impressive how organised
they are and how well they get on
together. They are all enjoying the
independence of “having my own
space,” as Shanae puts it.
She joined the flat in June last year. Cruz and Adrian
came there in July two years ago.
How does Shanae find it, especially
being with these two? “It’s great.
I can get out and ‘have a life’ and
independence. It’s all our first time
flatting.”
“It’s the first time you’ve had a
decent meal!” Cruz chimes in.
Shanae persists with her thought
about living with the guys and
perhaps this is the crux of the
whole arrangement: “It’s cruisy!”,
she says.
11
Home Away From Home
By Julie Hill
My involvement as a Home to Home carer with CCS
Disability Action began in 2001. I had, however,
looked after other children before this, going back
10 or more years.
One of the biggest things I have learnt being a
caregiver over the years is that you can not make
everything right, but you can help to make it better.
Not to make judgement, or to have any preconceived
impressions about anything. Every child has a gift
to give; it is just a matter of finding it.
I tried with the children I looked after to have fun.
Many town children would love to come out to the
farm in the spring time and help feed the pet lambs
or help with the shifting of sheep around the house.
Sometimes I would get a big bucket with a whole
lot of spoons and the children would make witch's
brew. Then we would go down and throw it at the
trees in the plantation, or make trails and try and
find things.
Another thing that gave me joy was when a little
person with a disability managed to achieve an
activity that took them a long time to master. The
look of joy that they have done it at last! You can
not beat that, it is a very special moment.
I have had the privilege of caregiving for children
that have been terminally ill; this is the hardest of
all, because you become close to every member of
the family. Over time those children make a huge
difference on how you perceive things in life in
general. You realise how lucky you are for the life
that you have.
The biggest thrill of all is when you open the door,
and standing there is one of the children you have
cared for, and you get a big hug. To hear that they
are making their way in the world — it may not be
easy for them, but they are doing it their way. Or to
get a letter in the mail to let you know what they are
doing with their lives.
I have loved my job and it was certainly not boring.
I have made some wonderful friends and can not
ask for any more than that.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my family.
Without their support I could not have done what I
have over so many years. They have been wonderful.
Julie is pictured beside
the memorial garden she
planted in memory of the
children she cared for that
passed away - the colours in
this garden are the favourite
colours of the children.
12
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This is My New Home
Sharlene Holman is a young woman in her late 30s.
She has recently started her next step in life — living
independently with support from family members and
CCS Disability Action Support Workers.
Sharlene has been living with her mother Mary until
recently, when a Timaru District Council unit became
available. She moved into her unit on Valentine’s Day
this year. She now has her own “home.”
home is she doesn’t have any competition for the
remote control anymore!
Sharlene just loves doing the things young women of
her age like to do. She loves music, magazines, going
out for coffee etc. She likes the fact that there are
some shops nearby, and a nice fish and chip shop on
another corner nearby.
Mary says the move was needed, as Sharlene was
ready for independent living, and it has given Mary
a sense of having prepared for the future, and also
given her peace of mind.
The move has gone very well for Sharlene and her
family, with CCS Disability Action Community Support
Workers supporting the transition into her flat, and
still providing the same supports she had before she
moved, although with a slightly different focus now.
Sharlene’s flat is situated in a different part of town
to where she used to live with her mother, so this now
involves working out different bus routes, and walking
routes.
Sharlene is very independent, and quickly learns new
routes and routines.
Her cooking skills are being supported to develop in
this new independent living environment. Support
workers are prompting and working with her to achieve
safe and nutritious meal preparation.
Sharlene can now invite people to her own place
for coffee or dinner, and she has already done this
several times, even though she has only been in her
new place one month! Her Mum Mary has been over
for dinner a few times.
A weekly planner is being put together for housework,
shopping etc, so that Sharlene knows exactly what she
is doing on each day. Lists for groceries are also being
made and added to during the week in preparation for
shopping day. Support workers gently guide Sharlene
towards healthy options for food and drink.
Sharlene is a big fan of One Direction, Michael
Jackson, Titanium, the Crusaders, and most of all,
Richie McCaw. Sharlene loves watching rugby games
both live and on TV in her flat. She is off to see the
Crusaders play in Dunedin in May.
Sharlene said one good thing about being in her own
Widening
May 2015 2014
Widening Horizons.
Horizons. September
Sharlene is a meticulous housekeeper, and her flat
looks beautiful at all times.
When I spoke to Sharlene about the move she said
she misses her Mum, and is a bit nervous about the
new life she has. She loves having her support workers
to do things with, and is looking forward to joining a
dance class soon.
13
The Importance of Families With
Disabled Children Having a Break
Written by Nina Collins on behalf of the Family and Youth Team Christchurch
I would like to start by explaining that needing time out
from each other is a natural part of any relationship.
By highlighting the need for a break from caring for
someone with a disability I do not in any way wish to
imply that these young people are not loved, valued
members of their families. They are!
The most common thing that the Family and Youth
Team Christchurch get requests for is help finding a
carer or out of home respite. Carers and respite are
a vital part of keeping families together. They give the
primary caregiver a chance to be ‘off duty’ and regain
their energy. For siblings this is often a time to have
more attention.
respite that were Christchurch specific. The research
also loosely looked at if this difficulty in accessing
respite had changed since the earthquakes.
In the information gathering phase of this research our
team was able to identify many cases where respite
was the most urgently needed support for a family.
In another piece of recent local research into respite,
256 children and young people needing respite in the
Christchurch region were identified.
Finding carers, however, is not easy. Most of the
families we support are using Carer Support to pay
for the carer to come and look after their child with a
disability. Carer Support does not mean the carer gets
an hourly rate and it does not work out as minimum
wage.
Teenagers are usually off with friends in the weekend,
working, playing sports or doing other extra curricular
activities thus giving their parents a chance to be “off
duty.” For the families we support things are often
very different.
Without this break some families may burn out. At
this point simple tasks of life become overwhelming
as exhaustion takes hold of one's ability to cope.
CCS Disability Action recently did some research into
the issues of respite. The research looked into whether
or not the need in Christchurch was any greater than
anywhere else, and if there were barriers to accessing
14
Alex enjoying a change of scenery at Aramoana.
The ideal solution is a family like environment where
the child can go for a night or two and longer over
holiday periods. Sadly finding families who have the
time, energy, physical space within their home and
skill set to be able to do this is very difficult. Pre
earthquakes this was difficult. This is now even more
difficult as high rental prices have forced people into
smaller homes, often with siblings sharing rooms.
This means these families no longer have space to
take in anyone extra.
The Family and Youth Team want to be able to support
families in ways that help them stay together. Luckily,
further research is being done into a solution to this
problem. There are also action groups and parent
groups forming to discuss this issue and find solutions.
Whilst we journey together for a solution we all wish
to empathise with our families about the need for a
break. ‘Home’ has a different meaning to us all and
sadly what it takes to keep people within a ‘home’ is
also different — and we need to keep working to find
different ways of fulfiling the many different needs.
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CCS Disability Action Holiday
Homes
Home Away From Home
CCS Disability Action has a number of holiday
homes throughout New Zealand and their locations
are noted on our National website.
In the Upper South Region we have four locations:
Tekapo
In Tekapo we have two fully accessible units, both
of which have two bedrooms — a double bed in one
and two single beds in the other. In the front unit
there is an electric single bed and both units also
have a fold up bed. There are two BBQs and a high
chair in the store shed on site.
Tekapo has a lot to offer to visitors: hot pools, ice
skating rink and skiing in winter, a beautiful lake
for skiing, fishing and boating, cycle tracks, the
observatory and much more.
ensuite whilst the other two bedrooms are fitted
out with two single beds, with an electric bed in one
of the rooms. These two bedrooms share a toilet/
shower. The house has a large lounge and a great
deck around three sides of the house. There is a
BBQ, high chairs and hoist located at the house.
The house looks out over wetlands and farm
properties and has a wonderful relaxing air of
peace surrounding it.
Bradley House has just been awarded the Lifemark
5-Star status. The Lifemark 5-Star rating system
provides consumers with information about
adaptability, safety and ease of use. The entry-level
3-Star Lifemark certification is achieved by meeting
the minimum 25 standards. Additional points are
then accumulated to achieve a 4 or even a 5 star
level. The 5-Star rating is achieved when virtually all
features are in place and the accumulated points
reflect this level of performance.
We congratulate the builders of Bradley House,
Craig and Greg Mooney of AJ Mooney & Co Ltd, for
achieving this award which is just reward for the
professionalism they demonstrated building the
House.
Adams/Wharenui House, Riccarton, Christchurch
Tahuna Holiday Park, Nelson
Adams/Wharenui House is located in Wharenui
Road in Riccarton and is a two bedroom house. It
has a double bed in one room and two single beds
in the other, with one of them being electric. It is
situated close to the Riccarton Mall and in easy
reach of the hospital and the city.
We have two units at the Tahuna Holiday Park, both
of which have two bedrooms: a double bed in one
and two single beds in the other.
These units are close to Tahuna Beach, 10 minutes
from Nelson city, and there is a lot to explore in the
Nelson area.
Bookings can be made as follows:
Tekapo Units
– Timaru office, ph 03 684 7151.
Adams/Wharenui
– Christchurch office, ph 03 365 5661.
Bradley House, Paroa, West Coast
Located 10 minutes south of Greymouth, Bradley
House is a four bedroom Initial/Lockwood house.
Two bedrooms have double beds and their own
Widening Horizons.
Horizons.September
May 2015 2014
Bradley House
– Christchurch office, ph 03 365 5661.
Tahuna Units
– Tahuna Holiday Park, ph 03 548 5159.
15
Education Support Worker News
When is a cap not a cap?
The Ministry of Education recently set the record
straight when it comes to limits on education
support worker funding. And the news is likely to
be welcome for many parents of pre-schoolers with
additional education needs.
Ministry of Education staff have been telling
families and early intervention staff that there
is a maximum cap of 15 hours for many years. A
2012 Education Review Office report also clearly
states there is a cap and that this information was
sourced from Ministry staff and something called
the Education Support Worker Guidelines.
While these guidelines do set a 15-hour cap, they
are technically just guidelines, not formal policy. The
Ministry, however, has been treating the guidelines
as if they are a formal policy.
After CCS Disability Action went public with these
issues in February 2015, the Ministry of Education’s
response was to say that there is no formal cap.
The cat is out of the bag now; the Ministry of
Education can no longer pretend the guidelines
are a formal policy. Katrina Casey, the Ministry
of Education’s head of Sector Enablement and
Support, has said in a Radio New Zealand interview
that there is no cap and that two students receive
more than 15 hours.
If Ministry of Education staff tell you there is a 15hour cap, you can now use the Radio New Zealand
article and quote Katrina Casey. If the Ministry still
insists there is a cap, get in contact and we might
be able to help.
While not all children need one-on-one support to
enjoy and be fully included at pre-school, for those
who do, this shift could be a major breakthrough
for some families.
Check out www.includingallpeople.org.nz for more
information.
Children's Day Celebration
Children’s Day, held in early March
at Brayshaw Park in Blenheim, was
a resounding success.
Approximately 500 children and their
families came to the event, and the
feedback from parents and caregivers
has been extremely positive.
The theme for this year was ‘Treasure
Our Children’, and it was wonderful
to see so many families enjoying the
activities on offer.
CCS Disability Action Marlborough
ran a Colouring-In Competition stall,
which was very busy for the entire
three hour event.
We were lucky enough to have some
prizes donated to us by Subway Grove Road, Just $3 store and Stadium 2000, and Cuddon Engineering were
kind enough to lend us a gazebo to shelter under on the very hot Blenheim day.
16
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Volunteers Become Life Members
CCS Disability Action celebrated its 80th anniversary
in Timaru by making two volunteers life members
yesterday.
Kevin was a manager of CCS Disability Action for
five years and is a past member after becoming a
volunteer about 30 years ago.
Lawyer Rosie Carruthers and former CCS Disability
Action manager Kevin O’Loughlin were presented
with certificates at a ceremony held at the CCS
Disability Action rooms.
CCS Disability Action was established in Timaru in
1935 to help children with Polio.
National President Kim Willetts told the gathering
that awarding the membership was a way of
honouring their long-term commitment. “Volunteers
are very hard to come by.”
Other branches then sprang up around the country.
Its role grew to provide support so disabled people
are included in the life of the family and their
community.
There are more than 180 volunteer CCS Disability
Action Committee members throughout the country.
Rosie started volunteering in 1982 after attending
a CCS Disability Action annual meeting because
her friend’s husband was guest speaker.
She has been on the committee and now supports
the organisation by offering legal advice.
Republished with permission from
the Timaru Herald.
Pictured are Kevin McLaughlin, Kim Willetts and Rosie Carruthers - Photo: CCS Disability Action, Timaru
Widening Horizons.
May 2015 2014
Horizons. September
17
Introducing
Ma-rea Clayton of Kaikoura,
our Kaimahi Whanau Regional Co-ordinator.
Ko Aoraki te Maunga
Ko Waitaki te Awa
Ko Ngai Tahu, Ko Taranaki, Ko Ngati Porou nga iwi
katoa
Ko Ngati Huirapa toku Hapu
No Kaikoura te Kaingatuturu
Ko Horomona Pohio toku Tipuna
Ko Jack Rickus toku Poua
Ko Wikitoria Nopera toku Taua
Ko Maui Tikitiki Otaraka Rickus rawa ko Katherine
Unahi oku Matua
E toru nga tamariki
Ko Manaia Ramana Mahuri-Hemi Clayton taku
mokopuna
Ko Peter Clayton toku Tane
Ko Ma-rea Clayton ahau
Kei te mihi mahana nui kia koe ka timata te hikoi
o to mahi a Te Hunga Haua Mauri mo Nga Tangata
Katoa
siblings Kenneth and Heather were adopted into
our family and Raymond and Tania were fostered
like me. I am the youngest. We also had many
other foster children that came to visit, sometimes
through the night and we would often wake up
and Mum would be sitting beside the coal range
nursing him/her.
In my biological whanau/family I am also the
youngest. I am one of sixteen in my combined
family. I was always able to see my biological
whanau because they lived in Mataura or Gore
with our mother. My biological father was an oyster
harvester who lived in Bluff with my stepmother
and is now lying at Bluff cemetery.
My mountain is Mt Cook
My river is the Waitaki
My tribes are Ngai Tahu, Taranaki, Ngati Porou
My sub-tribe is Huirapa
I live in Kaikoura
My ancestor is Horomona Pohio
My grandfather is Jack Rickus
My grandmother is Wikitoria Nopera
My parents are Maui Tikitiki Otaraka Rickus and
Katherine Unahi
I have 3 children
Manaia Ramana Mahuri-Hemi Clayton is my
grandson
My husband is Peter Clayton
I am Ma-rea Clayton
Warmest greetings to you and the beginning of the
journey in your new role in CCS Disability Action
Kia Ora,
My name is Ma-rea. I was born in Timaru, became
a ward of the state and moved to Mataura. I
was brought up on the Heaps' family farm with a
European mother (June Heaps), and a Scottish
Father (Thomas Mitchell Young). I have four foster
18
I had a Taua/Grandmother who used to come
and get me on Sundays to walk to church at the
Mataura Marae. Taua could only speak Te Reo so
at the beginning it was difficult to communicate,
but I soon learnt my language and am grateful to
have this taonga. My Taua passed away when I was
7 years old.
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He Hunga Haua Mauri mo nga Tangata Katoa have
a Maori Strategic Framework Plan which I, with
support from Staff and whanau around the Region,
have been implementing into our offices. Ruth
Teasdale and the Regional Management team have
been an important factor in implementing the plan
along with all of our staff. I believe our whakaroa/
vision in the workplace is similar to our culture
in working holistically with whanau, which makes
things easy to implement, although geographically
it tends to be difficult. Each community is different,
no one is the same, but still hold the core values of
the organisation.
I have learnt many things from many influential
people in my life: Treat people the way you like to
be treated; have pride in yourself; look after your
whanau; and you don’t have to compromise, if that
is what you believe in.
No reira
Tena Koutou
Tena koutou
Tena koutou katoa
When I was 12 years old I moved to Te Wai
Pounamu Maori Girls' College in Christchurch and
our schooling was at Avonside Girls' High School.
While at Te Wai, I met my future husband Peter
Clayton, who was attending Te Kaihanga Hostel,
and shortly after that I moved to Kaikoura.
Takahanga Marae was formally opened in 1992
and in 1998 saw the signing of the Ngai Tahu
Settlement, which took a number of years before
settlement. At the moment, we spend our time
maintaining what we have been given by those who
have passed away so that their legacy lives on.
I now work 20 hours per week as a Service
Coordinator on Monday, Tuesday and half of
Wednesday, supporting whanau in the community
from Kekerengu Valley to Greta Valley, sharing
Culverden with the Rangiora Office. I also work 10
hours per week as a Te Kaupapa Maori Kaimahi
ki Whakateraki me Te tau ihu o Te Wai Pounamu/
Regional Co-ordinator for the Upper South Region,
which covers just under Timaru straight across all
the way up the South Island.
Widening Horizons.
Horizons. September
Widening
May 2015 2014
19
Introducing
Carmen Curtis
Wendy Greig
Kia ora everyone. I married my best mate Simon
last winter. Outside of work time, we're generally
found near food and drink — whether we are getting
creative at home or getting excited trying out a
new eating place (especially Mexican, for us — and
especially a margarita for me!).
Serenity emanates from Wendy Greig (aka
Gandalf) as she works her way through complex
and challenging cases. Wendy joined the Blenheim
Office of CCS Disability Action towards the end of
last year as the Supported Living Coordinator. She
came “tailor made” for the job, bringing broad
experience and profound wisdom from her solo
role coordinating services in the Westport Office.
Wendy is spot on with her intuitive understanding
and gentle empathy. She also flashes her ready
sense of humour frequently: a “must” for working
in this industry.
Christchurch
My main area of study has been theology and
biblical studies, leading to my Masters of Theology
from Otago University. I have taught in that area
also, but most recently I was employed as an office
worker. Looking for a new office role where I could
play a part in helping people in the community, I
started with CCS Disability Action in December (right
in time for the Christmas party — well planned!).
My role is in administration support for the
Canterbury West Coast branch, based in our
Christchurch office; this means that I am becoming
intimately acquainted with our forms, files and
franking machine. I'm having a great time so far
and am so aware of how lucky I am to be working
alongside such fantastic and committed people,
within and beyond this office.
20
Blenheim
When asked about the best part of the job, in
no time at all Wendy confirmed that “seeing the
people we support achieve their goals, hopes and
dreams will put a smile on my face every time.” Her
team in Westport was geographically dispersed
whereas Blenheim is centralised. Wendy says, “I
love working with a great, supportive team, which
I had on the Coast too, but I get to see these guys
every day!”
Besides loving “Chocolate Fridays” and occasionally
announcing a “Cute Kid Alert,” Wendy has one
other distinct weakness: pooches of all kinds. She
has been spotted more than once on the office floor
crouching in a “play bow”, growling with assorted
puppies and dogs brought in to visit by people
who use our services or by staff. Photo-shy, Wendy
submitted to the camera this time on condition that
young Frankie took up most of the shot.
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Introducing
Katie Ramsay
Helen Smith
The office resounds with infectious laughter. Katie
Ramsay has arrived! She sits amid a sea of purple
objects and bright stickers, staplers and pens — all
matching her colourful personality and bringing
her desk space to life. An empathetic enthusiast,
she bristles with energy and fun and it’s clear she
relates to children and families — to all — with ease,
quickly striking rapport.
Just when we thought it was safe, Helen returned to
CCS Disability Action Canterbury West Coast in a new
role in late 2014. We were reminded of her distinctive
style and sense of humour soon after her arrival, when
she graced our Race Day morning tea in an inflatable
horse outfit.
Blenheim
Katie joined the Blenheim team at CCS Disability
Action late last year, having returned from
Christchurch to her home town. In Christchurch,
she gained her Bachelors in Teaching (Primary) but
after the main quakes Katie worked as a Residential
Social Worker for Te Puna Whaiora (now Stand for
Children), supporting children in need. This gave
her impeccable credentials for initially offering
respite care and mentoring to children living with
disabilities in Blenheim under the “Short Breaks”
service. When opportunities arose, she was quickly
snapped up as a Community Support Worker
and then became our Child and Family Services
Coordinator.
Katie is proving very versatile, currently filling in
part time as a Supported Employment Coordinator,
opening up more relationships and opportunities
for people we support in Blenheim. She also
happens to be very versatile on our tea room quiz
team.
Widening Horizons.
Horizons.September
May 2015 2014
Christchurch
Helen's previous role was as an Early Intervention
Teacher in our Early Intervention Team, which she
moved on from nearly seven years ago to become
the Centre Supervisor at Tuahiwi Preschool in North
Canterbury. During her time there, she honed her
management and leadership skills and also completed
a further full-time year of post-graduate study in the
immersion Maori language (Hoaka Pounamau) at the
University of Canterbury.
Helen’s new position is as the Team Leader of our
Family and Youth Team and she is already making
her mark with her abilities in guiding and motivating
others along with the added bonus of bringing her
unique sense of fun to our office.
Helen is well travelled and enjoys experiencing diverse
cultures and unique environments whenever she can
make this happen. She has a long suffering partner,
Gill, who does most of the housework, although Helen
can redeem herself from time to time in the kitchen
being a bit of a ‘foodie’ — which compliments her
interest in several wine varietals. Helen is unusual
in that she is both a dog and cat lover and has a
reputation for being a bit of a softie with her pets
Kopi and Xena (pet behaviour management is not her
strength!)
21
Introducing
Vickie Aiken
Ashburton
My name is Vickie Aiken and I have begun the
journey of being the Ashburton CCS Disability Action
Service Coordinator. I feel excited to be part of a
large organisation that supports disabled people.
I am also connected to the Timaru team and ‘hats
off’ to you all for your support, guys.
I am really enjoying meeting clients and engaging
with them on their own journeys, and being involved
and participating within their communities. The
work that Community Support Workers do is
essential and I really value their passion for the
great work they do. I further look forward to working
with the people of the Ashburton community.
My background experiences range from driving
long haul trucks across America to working in bars
in England, to cleaning up after students. So you
might say I’ve been busy! I studied my Bachelor
of Nursing while pregnant with my first child and
successfully completed my degree in 2004. Over
the last 7 years I have been working in the sexual
health and reproductive field. My family and I
moved to Ashburton from Dunedin in July last year
as my husband accepted a job promotion.
I love making homemade lemonade and gardening.
My ultimate goal is to become less reliant on the
supermarket. I enjoy regular exercise and have a
real interest in “op shopping” and love a bargain.
Many thanks!
Retiring South Canterbury Local Executive Committee Chairman, Ellwyn Mackie, and Committee Member, Chris
Gallagher, received Certificates of Appreciation from National Board Regional Representative, Richard Buchanan.
22
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National Certificates completed
Danny Archer — Christchurch — Level 2
Christine Chadderton — Christchurch — Level 2
Philippa Hyndman — Blenheim — Level 2
Michael Glover — Blenheim — Level 2
Danny and Christine receiving their certificates from Ruth Teasdale
Philippa and Michael with their certificates
Carolyn Mitchell — Westport — Level 2
Becs Ponga — Westport — Level 2
Carolyn receiving her certificate from Bev Bade
Becs with her certificate
Sue Howe — Timaru — Level 2
Mandy Wallace — Timaru — Level 3
Sue with her certificate
Mandy receiving her certificate from Maree Simpson
Widening Horizons.
Horizons. September
May 2015 2014
23
NZ Registered Magazine
If undelivered, please return to CCS Disability Action
PO Box 1506, CHRISTCHURCH 8140
Your Local
CCS Disability
Action Offices:
Kaikoura
114 Beach Road
PO Box 75
Kaikoura 7300
Ph. (03) 319 3263
Hokitika
51 Tancred Street
PO Box 3
Hokitika 7842
Ph. (03) 755 5329
Nelson
65 Trafalgar Street
PO Box 586
Nelson 7040
Ph. (03) 548 4479
Westport
Clocktower Building
Palmerston Street
PO Box 112
Westport 7866
Ph. (03) 789 6833
Rangiora
2 Durham Street
PO Box 594
Rangiora 7440
Ph. (03) 313 8312
Blenheim
9 Sinclair Street
PO Box 533
Blenheim 7240
Ph. (03) 578 1170
Greymouth
25 Albert Street
Greymouth 7805
Ph. (03) 768 4675
Ashburton
Office 3
2nd Floor
161 Burnett Street
Ashburton 7700
Ph. (03) 308 4456
Timaru
2-4 Victoria Street
PO Box 585
Timaru 7940
Ph. (03) 684 7151
Christchurch
224 Lichfield Street
PO Box 1506
Christchurch 8140
Ph. (03) 365 5661
Contributions
We welcome contributions, comments and letters. Please email to: wideninghorizons.canterbury@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
Editing Team:
Ruth Teasdale
Leigh Montford
Carmen Curtis
Julie Adam
Printer:
Wickcliffe NZ Ltd
Please note the views, findings, opinions, conclusions or recommendations conveyed
in this publication are not necessarily those of CCS Disability Action.
P rincipal S upporter
If you would prefer an electronic version of this magazine please go to our website
http://uppersouth.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
or email us at: wideninghorizons.canterbury@ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz
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