About Spinal Support NZ -

MISSION STATEMENT

Spinal Support NZ endeavours to empower and support people with a spinal cord injury or impairment (SCI) to optimise their health and well-being.

VISION

To educate and enable people with SCI and their whānau, to access the necessary supports and services to live well and have equal opportunities to participate in the social, economic and cultural life of the community.

VALUES

People-Centred

We endeavour to understand, anticipate and respond to the needs and expectations of people with SCI
We recognise and support the importance of whānau in the rehabilitation, development and ongoing wellness of those with SCI
We provide information and resources to people in NZ with SCI.

Collaborative

We provide a team of Peer volunteers and employees to share their experience and knowledge of SCI
We are committed to honour and develop mutual relationships between the parties of Te Tiriti o Waitangi
We consult and engage with relevant community and government organisations to deliver high quality services.

Integrity

We safeguard the privacy of those we support and respect their culture, values and beliefs
We uphold the highest standards and demonstrate responsible management of our available funds.

A brief history and introduction to Spinal Support NZ

Spinal Support NZ originally TASC was founded in 1991 by a group of high level spinal injured people. TASC gradually evolved into the present organization. Spinal Support NZ and became a registered charity in 2008 (CC23064) and has built up a vast network of volunteers. These volunteers have various experiences and are able to offer moral support, advice and information to patients in the Auckland Rehab Spinal Unit.

Spinal Support NZ covers the same geographical area as the Auckland Spinal Rehabilitation Unit, from New Plymouth, Taupo, across to the Eastern Bay of Plenty, up to Cape Reinga.

Spinal Support NZ is governed by a committee. They meet several times each year to advise and give direction to Society.

Office Staff

Georgia Cameron

Office Manager

Hi, I am Georgia Cameron. My background for the past thirteen years was working for an organisation called ACC. I had multiple roles over these years, the last being working in Assisted Recovery. The best part of this role was being able to help my Community in hard times and explaining the following way forward to recovery/independence. My Passion in life is just to be able to help people; when someone is in a sticky situation, and we work together to problem solve, the joy on their face or in their voice as they know they have a better understanding of what is going on is just the best feeling.

I am very honoured to know to hold the position at Spinal Support as the Northern Regional Manager. I am sxcited to help get our newly funded pCommunity Peer Support programmeoff the ground and launched into our Community After hearing many stories about clients falling through the gaps, my goal is never to let this happen again no matter what level your injury or impairment is at. Please, if I can help in any way let me know, as I am here for you, and I would like to help you along your journey.

Ona

Mālō e Lelei,

Welcome to my story. I was born and raised in Tonga by my grandparents. I was born with dwarfism achondroplasia, a type of bone growth disorder due to genetic mutations cartilage does not convert into a bone during fetal development.

In 2007, I moved to ‘Aotearoa to be with my mother and sisters. Life was full of joy, happiness, and getting things ticked off my bucket list independently. I loved doing outdoor activities, church, and loved ones.

Fast forward to September 2014, my whole life changed. I had a spine operation (T11, L1) to straighten the bone, causing back pain and being unable to sit alone for a long time unless I was leaning on an object for support. The operation left me paralyzed from my waist down, which left the surgeon team in awe as they didn’t know what had caused me to lose my sensation and strength after surgery. 7 years later, I had another operation on the spine. It was from T1-T10 to expand the bones due to it becoming smaller and can cause more pain for long-term periods.

As my first time in a wheelchair, it was challenging to be out there in public as I didn’t have the courage or confidence. I was in Wilson Home (2014) doing rehab then I was transferred into Spinal Unit Rehab for continuously Physio; things went well as my sensation and strength for my legs which now I can walk in crutches short distance and use my wheelchair for public outings. I met Kate Cameron, who works for Spinal Trust at the unit and supported me through the hard times on my journey, and as the time I came across Georgia works at Spinal Support. She was looking for someone who would fit in for admin role and luckily, I was given the opportunity to go on a trial and now I’m a staff member here at Spinal Unit. This job taught me there is a life after a spinal injury despite being in a wheelchair. I’m able to get out of my comfort zone and help people build up their confidence or just being there for them. I love seeing the smiles and being grateful with SCI people have on achieving their goals and living their life the way it is. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE OR EARLY TO CHASE YOUR DREAMS AND LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT DESPITE BEING IN A WHEELCHAIR. TOMORROWS NOT PROMISED SO LIVE IT UP BECAUSE IF I CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU.

Wayne South

Office Manager

It was March 21st, 2007, and I lay motionless in the ICU at Auckland Hospital, staring at the plain white ceiling above. A fall just hours earlier onto a marble floor had caused multiple spinal fractures and what would later be categorised as a C6 incomplete spinal cord injury. While our spinal cord impairment (SCI) stories are different, I think it’s safe to say we all remember the moment we realised our lives had changed forever.

One of my most challenging afflictions following my accident has been severe chronic pain. It has been a long and often difficult process of cultivating resilience, acceptance, and gratitude to move forward, even in the presence of pain. Because of this, I am keenly interested in and passionate about minimising pain's impact on somebody’s life. As the Dalai Lama said - “pain is inevitable; suffering is optional.”

I used to play several sports before my injury, and trying to find something to fill that void eventually led me to sail. Sailing is such a great sport for those with a disability. There are a few gadgets to make it

adaptable to a wide range of needs - let the wind fill your sails, and away you go. There is something immensely soothing that being out on the ocean brings. The distraction and enjoyment sailing provides me is essentially a non-pharmaceutical analgesic - I feel energised and uplifted. 16 years into my journey and I have met many remarkable people who have overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges to go on and achieve amazing things. I believe the role that peer support plays are of unparalleled benefit in helping people navigate life following a spinal cord injury or unforeseen medical diagnosis. The insights and support that those with lived experience can provide are invaluable in assisting people in finding new ways to live. “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing, the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” Viktor Frankl I am grateful to be part of the team at Spinal Support NZ. I enjoy contributing, and I hope as a team, we can make a difference in the lives of those who engage with our services and our wider community. If you are struggling to come to terms with your SCI, decades into your journey and going through a rough patch, or perhaps you are doing well and would like to share your thoughts and experiences with someone who can relate, then reach out - we are here for you. Ngā mihi Wayne South Outpatient Peer Support Coordinator

Some Committee Members

Brendan Terrelle

President

Brendan Tourelle has rejoined the Spinal Support NZ committee as our President. He was previously a member starting in 2000 after a ladder fall in 1999 left him a T4 Para. He is also on the Sailability Auckland Committee, among many others. Brendan is a very keen sailor. Over the years, he has instructed many people living with a disability on the skills they need to learn to sail; many started their sport in the Sailing Simulator set up at the Spinal unit Gym. In 2012 he joined the Spinal Support NZ Art Class, which he really enjoys.

am now the Chairperson of Sailability Auckland, The President of The International Hansa Class as well as the NZ Hansa Class Association, Hansa Class is a Yacht Class it is an open class but many people living with a disability enjoy sailing these boats. I’m also on the disability advisory Committee to Yachting New Zealand. I also really enjoy the Spinal Support NZ’s Art Classes which is held on a Tuesday Afternoon. This Art Class is a great initiative which teaches many inspiring Artists the skill they need, it’s great confidence boosted and many of the Artists are learning how to mouth painting, the class has some great camaraderie among the pupils, all help each other. So thank you Spinal Support NZ for being such a positive part of my life.

https://spinalsupport.nz/about-spinal-support-nz/#:~:text=YachtingNewZealand

Dean Brennan

Publicity Officer

Dean has been involved with Spinal Support NZ since 2004; He won HNZ 2007 Open Garden award. He has been learning website design for some time and offered his help to develop our website.

Dean immigrated from the UK in 1990 and had an accident during a fight at home with a friend in 1997, making him a C4 Tetraplegic. He was a supervisor Gardner and volunteer fireman based at West Harbor, so he continued the need to be of some use. He is married to Eleanor and has 2 daughters,

they became followers of Jesus in 2004 and hope to be doing His will every day. “Sometime in 2004 Pam Ferguson asked me to help with the Spinal Support NZ website giving me confidence and a purpose so I continued to help nonprofits to get online voluntarily, I now manage a charitable trust that offers nonprofit organizations free website development and coaches the physically and mentally impaired anything using video tutorials see www.itsaccessible.net.nz

Kramer Hoeflick

Commitee Member

Kia Orana, Ko toku ingoa Kramer Hoeflich.

I was born and raised in the beautiful Cook Islands on the island of Rarotonga till I was 15, and a spinal cord injury changed my life and brought me to New Zealand. During this time, I faced many challenges and overcame many barriers to become who I am today. This is where I found my passion for working alongside young people of all abilities, cultures and backgrounds, making a difference within the community. I wanted to be a Community Peer

Support, not because Lee knows where to find a mean feed. I strongly believe in the unique ingenuity that young people possess and the unlimited potential tapped when we work together as a community.I am passionate about working to change perceptions of what young people of all abilities can achieve and contribute. One of the ways I plan on doing this is by building awareness and acceptance around mental illness and breaking the taboo that surrounds Disability. I am a strong voice for both the Pasifika and disability sector. I aim to bridge the gap between Disability, youth, community & government. Edit biography

Rob Beckett

Commitee Member

I had a car accident near Taihape in April 1980 that resulted in paraplegia at T7/T8 level and dependent permanently on a wheelchair for mobility. Following my trauma, I was flown to Burwood spinal unit, Christchurch where I remained for eight or so weeks and then transferred to RNZAF Base Wigram for a short spell before moving to Auckland where I resided until 1995 moving back to my home town Ngongotaha where my wife and I purchased our home fully accessible for my needs.

I am aged 69 years, had my accident aged 27 years and have relied on a wheelchair and the life I endured for 42 years. I emphasise ‘endured’ because I’d be lying if I said I had coped with everything life has thrown at me. I’ve had my ‘ups and downs’ – still do and struggled on occasions believing that I have been hard done by BUT! At the end of the day what we do for

ourselves with support (if needed) can get us over a particular hurdle to enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding life. I led an active life prior to my paraplegia serving in the RNZAF as a physical fitness instructor for ten years. I classify myself as an ‘above average’ sportsperson performing well in sports I competed in but also teaching sports skills and coaching various sports codes. I continued in the same vein following my paraplegia being actively involved in the disability sector and able-bodied community. I returned to full-time employment two years after my injury and continued so up until my mid fifties. My endeavours saw me graduate as an Occupational Therapist being employed in various service sectors such as ACC, Needs Assessment, Service Coordination, self employment, mental health, drug and alcohol, work rehabilitation and Maori Hauora, serving on many committees and recently employed in Community Peer Support for Spinal Support NZ. What I find rewarding and enjoyable about this current role is Spinal Support NZ’s vision and values fit well with my personal values and philosophy. That is, ‘empower and support people with spinal cord injuries or impairment to optimise their health and well-being’. AND ‘we endeavour to understand, anticipate and respond to the needs and expectations of spinal cord injuries. My personal and work life has always been about serving people. How many of us get to experience the nuances of utopia? No one’s perfect but we must ‘keep on keeping on’.