Spinal Network News - December 2017

More documents

Recommendations

Info

CONTENTS EDITORIAL....................................................................................... 3 HANS WOUTERS - FINDING FUTURES....................... 4 NEVER GIVE UP - ALEX DALZELL’S STORY.................. 6 ALL BLACK RYAN CROTTY VISITS THE BURWOOD SPINAL UNIT........................................... 10 NEWS IN BRIEF................................................................................ 13 THE BIG STEP FORWARD....................................................... 14 LIBRARY UPDATES....................................................................... 18 NZST AT THE RACES................................................................. 21 BEST MOMENTS OF 2017...................................................... 23 CONNECTING PEOPLE - BRETT LADBROOK.......... 31 ACCESS APP - DISABILITY SERVICE................................. 32 FUNDRAISER FOR THE NZSTFUN.ORG...................... 33 CALLAGHAN INNOVATION................................................ 34 FUNDERS AND SPONSORS.................................................. 35 SPINAL NETWORK NEWS is published by the NZ Spinal Trust Send your contributions to: The Editor SPINAL NETWORK NEWS c/- New Zealand Spinal Trust, Private Bag 4708, Christchurch 8140 Tel: (03) 383 7540 Fax: (03) 383 7500 Email: peter.thornton@nzspinaltrust.org.nz Web: www.nzspinaltrust.org.nz DESIGN & LAYOUT: Melanie Evans COPY PROOFING: Suzanne Reiser DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in SPINAL NETWORK NEWS are those of its contributors. They do not necessarily represent the opinion of the members of the Editorial Committee or the policies of the New Zealand Spinal Trust. Patrons of the New Zealand Spinal Trust, Sir Tim Wallis (left) and Trevor Harrison (right). EDITORIAL TEAM PETER THORNTON Hi my name is Peter Thornton, I am so proud to be the editor of this great magazine. I believe it is a publication that has the power to change lives, but it is only as strong as the community who support it. I encourage anyone who is living with SCI to get in touch and share their story. We’d love to hear from you. To Suzanne, who is leaving us after this issue, thanks so much for all of the hours and effort you have put into making the SNN a great publication. We really appreciate it and will miss your contribution. BERNADETTE CASSIDY Hi, my name is Bernadette Cassidy. I am delighted to be a member of the editorial team. Sadly in this issue we farewell our proof reader – Suzanne Reiser. Suzanne has being a member of the SNN for nearly seven years. We appreciate her energy, commitment and high standards which have taken the magazine to the next level. Thank you Suzanne! CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Peter Thornton Hans Wouters Bernadette Cassidy Mike Brown Suzanne Reiser CCS Disability Action SUZANNE REISER Hi, my name is Suzanne Reiser, a former patient of the Burwood Spinal Unit where I spent 4½ months with Guillain-Barré Syndrome. I have been a volunteer Patient & Family Support worker at the BSU; and proof reader/sub-editor and editorial committee member for the SNN for the past seven years. It is with sadness that I inform readers that this is my last issue as I am retiring from my role with the SNN. I feel truly blessed and privileged to have been part of producing this fantastic magazine working alongside so many wonderful colleagues over the years (a special thank you to Bernadette Cassidy), and to read such inspiring life-stories every issue. I hope you will all continue to support the work of the NZST and to feel inspired, supported, and informed by the SNN going forward! With warmest wishes to you all, love from Suzanne oxo Callaghan Innovation Cheril Clarke Brett Ladbrook Wellington City Council Thundermaps Thanks to all who contributed images to this issue 2 |
EDITORIAL THE LITTLE THINGS MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE It’s funny how a walk down memory lane can bring back a flurry of vivid memories, many, you never knew you had. When I was 21, as a young, naïve Kiwi with ragged dreadlocks (yes, dreadlocks), and like most Kiwis, I felt it was time to take off on my OE and see the world. My brother and sister were overseas at the time, so it was a perfect opportunity for the three of us to go over and find some trouble together in Europe. On our travels, I was offered a couple of semi-professional rugby contracts and ended up agreeing to play for Ashbourne RFC in County Meath, north of Dublin in Ireland. I was quick to learn that I was one of five Kiwi lads who had taken this path with the club and that all had met Irish women, married, and settled down in the local village. I bucked that trend, but my two years playing rugby there were a highlight of my time abroad where I was lucky to experience some of the best countries in the world. I enjoyed the rugby, but if I am honest, I stayed for the ‘craic’. I was back in Dublin recently for an All Whites tour in my other role with NZ Football. Walking the streets of St Stephen’s Green down by the River Liffey in this Dirty Ol’ Town stirred some strong emotions. This city I love had changed so much, and yet, it was so familiar. The many hazy nights out in Temple Bar all blur into one, but one particular memory came to mind clearer than most, because it was so hard and so touching all at the same time. In my first few weeks, when I was still getting settled, I lodged with the coach—in possibly the roughest and pokiest part of Dublin. We played rugby on a Sunday around the province of Leinster, so we’d have a light run on Saturday afternoon to be ready for the game. I got home from training and straight away knew something was wrong. At the time, the rugby club were still sorting out my working visa, so in that time I was working for cash with some contacts at the club. All of my possessions had been turned over and, the many locations in my room where I had stashed my £700 in savings, were empty—the Irish pound back in the day, was 3:1, so it was equal to NZD2,100. The coach’s brother, who had been a good mate during my first few weeks in Ireland—but, who I later found out, also had a chequered past of drugs and petty crime—had done a runner with everything I had. I remember walking the cold streets of Dublin that night with the final £20 note I had in my wallet, feeling very far from home. In two weeks’ time I was due to fly to Scotland for Christmas with the family but, in a moment, everything had come unstuck. Seven days later, everything had changed again. I had borrowed some cash to get through the week and was back at the club for our Saturday training. One of the aforementioned Kiwi lads, Ryan, (who was nicknamed ‘Rhubarb’ because he never stopped talking) approached me over a quiet pint of Guinness and handed me an envelope. With it, he said something I will never forget: “Don’t make a big deal about it because it is not a big deal to any of the lads.” I gratefully took the envelope and finished my pint. When I got a moment, I went to the bathroom and opened what the guys had given me. Inside was £700 exactly. I almost cried. Little did I know, but when Rhubarb had found out about my misfortune he had said to the boys, that is not how we do things around here. In a small club with fewer than 50 full members, they had rallied around throughout the week—some of them giving £50 each to this rough-looking Kiwi they had barely met. It was hugely humbling, and from that point I gave the club my all and made some lifelong friends. So, what is the point I hear you asking? It is this: the smallest gesture can make the biggest difference. In a culture like Ireland—similar in so many ways to New Zealand—being a warm, welcoming host and doing the right thing means everything. They treated me like family before they even knew me… and then, that is exactly what I became. It was the smallest gesture from a group of lads who didn’t think twice about putting forward some of their hard-earned money when they caught up for a quiet mid-week pint. They didn’t hesitate. It made the world of difference to me and reaffirmed all of the reasons why I had believed I would love Ireland. The old saying “the people make the place” is never more apt than it is on the Emerald Isle, or, more specifically, in Dublin. There are parts of Ireland that are beautiful beyond compare, and then, there is Dublin. The capital is every bit the Dirty Ol’ Town, oozing character, charm, and history in its quaint streets and pubs that date back centuries, but the people bring this place to life and give it its soul. As I saunter up Grafton Street past the lines of street entertainers and the everyday hustle and bustle of the city’s busiest area, I smile because I love this place. I love its character; I love its people, and I love my memories from living here. I hope I have learned from my time here. It is 26 years ago since I was here as a laid-back rugby player living pay cheque to pay cheque without a care in the world. Twenty-six years since a group of good lads made a small gesture which made a world of difference. Later that night, I’m sitting across the table from my ol’ mate Rhubarb with a pint of Guinness. We have many stories to reminisce about, but he never mentions this one, and nor do I. Remember, it wasn’t a big deal. It is 26 years since some strangers showed me the meaning of friendship and the value of being a good person. I can’t help but reflect, and it is a challenge for all of us I guess— what small gestures have I made to others in my time to make a big difference in their lives? Not enough, I conclude. My walk down memory lane helps me realise that opportunities to make a difference are there every day, if we look for them. | 3
Page 1: ALL BLACK RYAN CROTTY VISITS THE NE
Page 5 and 6: Wow! Suzanne has faithfully and dil
Page 7 and 8: is the most animated. He feels pass
Page 9 and 10: AUCKLAND ASB Showgrounds Tuesday Fe
Page 11 and 12: ugby player, so too has he matured
Page 13 and 14: IN BRIE NEWS IN BRIEF NATIONAL APPE
Page 15 and 16: on the use of the ReWalk for mobili
Page 17 and 18: | 17
Page 19 and 20: JOURNALS Dynamics in Human Health:
Page 21 and 22: NZST AT THE RACES The New Zealand S
Page 23 and 24: Top stories from 2017 It has been a
Page 25 and 26: Get out there! Smart 150 Take with
Page 27 and 28: Joseph De Thierry - Makes the Most
Page 29 and 30: THE ULTIMATE DRIVING CONTROLS HERE
Page 31 and 32: CONNECTING PEOPLE Brett Ladbrook As
Page 33 and 34: Want to join the fun? Race, swim, c
Page 35 and 36: Thank you to our FUNDERS & SPONSORS

Spinal Network News - December 2017

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?