SNN_December 2022 Issue_web low res
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NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 6<br />
in Auckland. Selena Dominguez and Karen Craven from<br />
ACC came along on day one and were imp<strong>res</strong>sed with the<br />
calibre of the team and how wonderfully we all worked<br />
together despite meeting new people from all over the<br />
country for the first time. After the ladies left, I was struck<br />
by the positive comments from our team as they were truly<br />
encouraged by ACC's desire to help us get this across the<br />
line. Selena and Karen weren’t attending just as<br />
funders—determined to keep an eye on us—they were<br />
there to contribute and get a greater feel for our work and<br />
the need for it. This is the power of bringing a team together<br />
to achieve something far beyond what you could do by<br />
yourself and has the ability to deliver very special <strong>res</strong>ults.<br />
Many of you, our readers, regularly contribute to our<br />
appeals or are regular financial supporters and I have no<br />
doubt your continued support is what is helping us grow<br />
and develop our services to help more people. The Back<br />
on Track Appeal early in the year has given us the<br />
opportunity to rewrite Back On Track exactly as we want<br />
to without <strong>res</strong>triction. Bernadette, Julian, Paul and Kathy<br />
are making great strides in the preparation of the new<br />
book. You will see it in 2023 and we can't wait to show it to<br />
you. As I like to say, “put your sunnies on, the future’s<br />
looking bright”.<br />
Finally—Have you ever met someone for the first time<br />
and come away feeling imp<strong>res</strong>sed by them? Not by their<br />
achievements or status or good looks but just by who they<br />
are—their p<strong>res</strong>ence. My good friends at Spinal Support<br />
NZ and I were rep<strong>res</strong>enting our two wonderful<br />
organisations and our new Peer Support Network at the<br />
ATSNZ Expo in Auckland recently (Thanks ATSNZ for<br />
hosting us). The expo had just ended for the day and<br />
everyone had moved to another part of the venue, I was by<br />
myself and about to join my colleagues when Brad Smeele<br />
rolled past looking for the exit. I have never had the<br />
pleasure of meeting Brad before, so I caught his attention<br />
and enjoyed 10 minutes together. There is something<br />
special about Brad—I was taken by his peaceful<br />
demeanour and, dare I say it, zen. I am looking forward to<br />
reading the article about Brad in this issue of <strong>SNN</strong> and his<br />
book is first on my list for summer holiday reading.<br />
I wish you all a blessed and peaceful Christmas and look<br />
forward to the next time we meet.<br />
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