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NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 26<br />
What does it mean to you to provide the library<br />
<strong>res</strong>ource for patients of the Burwood Spinal Unit?<br />
From the outset, I wanted to create a welcoming, inclusive,<br />
safe environment complemented with <strong>res</strong>ources, services,<br />
and equipment. The library quickly became a place where<br />
patients and whānau could come for <strong>res</strong>t and <strong>res</strong>pite and<br />
library staff provided a listening ear. Learning what is of<br />
importance to people with SCI is a constant privilege and<br />
I’ve met many amazing people over the years who have<br />
shared their journey with me. If I have been able to help in<br />
some small way, that makes it all worthwhile.<br />
Of course, there have been many hard times as<br />
well—like the earthquakes, the terrorist attack—how<br />
have they impacted you?<br />
The 2011 earthquake was devastating for Christchurch<br />
and those that lost their loved ones. Little did we know at<br />
the time that the ABC would be demolished four years<br />
later due to safety concerns. In June 2014 the building<br />
was closed and we spent the fol<strong>low</strong>ing year essentially<br />
camping. That was probably the most challenging thing<br />
I’ve faced in my 20 years. It was a huge loss to not just me<br />
but all the NZST staff, patients, whānau, and the<br />
community. The NZST staff worked from an office with 16<br />
computers, and I established a library in the Burwood<br />
Spinal Unit Day Room. The fol<strong>low</strong>ing year we moved into<br />
portacoms, and other staff moved into old offices.<br />
Prior to the demolition of the ABC, we held a farewell<br />
ceremony. The ceremony finished with a paint bomb<br />
session, lots of people took the opportunity to throw paint<br />
balls at the building—which was strangely comforting!<br />
Christchurch has had more than their share of adversity<br />
with the 2019 Mosque terror attack which was truly<br />
unthinkable. What was heartening was the love and<br />
support from the Christchurch and New Zealand<br />
community towards the families who have lost loved ones.<br />
The library team supported a number of victims such as<br />
obtaining e-books in Bengali and providing one patient's<br />
wife with a laptop so she could continue her studies while<br />
supporting her husband in hospital.<br />
Losing the Allan Bean Centre was a huge b<strong>low</strong>—what<br />
was that space like?<br />
The space was custom designed for people with disabilities<br />
and had an enormous window with a huge elm tree<br />
standing guard outside. Visitors to the centre would<br />
regularly remark about how it felt calming, welcoming and<br />
spiritual. It was a state-of-the-art building that oozed<br />
positivity and wellbeing. It was truly unique, and the<br />
architects Sheppard and Rout won an award for the design.<br />
Working for the same organisation for the past 20<br />
years is a remarkable feat (and not very common<br />
anymore)—you must be proud of that?<br />
I am very proud. It’s hard to believe it is 20 years because it<br />
certainly does not feel like it. Those years have gone by in<br />
a flash but so much has been achieved during that time.<br />
Ultimately what has kept me here for 20 years, is believing<br />
in a cause as well as the passion, enthusiasm and<br />
dedication of my NZST colleagues and trustees.<br />
—Dr Bernadette Cassidy<br />
I was so thrilled, not many<br />
professionals get to have<br />
their dream job.<br />
Who have been some of the best people you have<br />
worked with over that time?<br />
Ahh, there are too many to mention! I have had the honour of<br />
working with many wonderful people over the years. I was<br />
reflecting on my 20 years recently and realised that I have<br />
worked with six CEOs all with their unique style! I count my<br />
colleagues amongst my friends and if I had to list them, I<br />
may miss someone out and I don’t want to offend anyone!<br />
There has been a lot of fun during those years: the grape<br />
picking fundraisers at Anne and Jim Sinnott’s vineyard in<br />
Waitaki, and the wonderful cake and cooking competitions<br />
which bonded the staff and provided connection.<br />
What makes the SCI community in NZ special?<br />
The SCI community in New Zealand is very close knit and<br />
very supportive of each other. This is conveyed so well on<br />
the NZ SCI Facebook page—where people share their<br />
experiences and knowledge with others.<br />
What did it mean to have a surprise party to celebrate<br />
and reflect on this moment of 20 years?<br />
It meant a great deal to me to celebrate 20 years with my<br />
colleagues, friends and whānau. I felt so overwhelmed by<br />
the accolades, gratitude and love that was shared. The<br />
NZST is my second family and has a very special place in<br />
my heart and always will.<br />
What advice do you have for people who work for<br />
the Trust?<br />
At the core of the NZST is the people we serve and help on<br />
their rehab journey. One of the NZST’s greatest strengths<br />
is relationships. The relationship with our clients, their<br />
whānau, and caregivers, and the relationships we have<br />
with each other. You will not find a more supportive,<br />
warm, friendly organisation such as the Trust.<br />
20 years—how much longer do you think you will<br />
keep serving in this role and helping others?<br />
I don’t think I will be here another 20 years!! But I will be<br />
around for some time yet. I have been very fortunate to<br />
have been involved with many projects ensuring that we<br />
carry on Prof’s legacy.<br />
Did you ever think that when you started, you’d still<br />
be here 20 years on?<br />
No, I didn’t because at the time I knew very little about<br />
SCI, but it quickly became clear that I could bring my<br />
prior knowledge from my <strong>res</strong>earch and develop the library<br />
service to how I wanted. I also got the opportunity to work<br />
on many inte<strong>res</strong>ting projects—I learnt so much about SCI<br />
in the process.