NEWS & UPDATES

The Cerebral Palsy Society – that’s a wrap on October, and what a month it has been!

31 Oct 2024

What a month it’s been!  
We’ve seen members and people around the country get behind Be Green & Be Seen – Kia kākāriki, kia kitea, we held our AGM, and we released our Annual Impact Report.
Our newest coffee group kicked off, we launched a fabulous new Accessibility Menu on our website, and we continued our vital work of supporting members. 
 


Be Green & Be Seen – Kia kākāriki, kia kitea 

Be Green & Be Seen – Kia kākāriki, kia kitea has been running throughout the month of October to coincide with World Cerebral Palsy Day on October 6.  


We’ve been delighted to see the donations roll in and receive photos of people getting into the spirit of things. Thank you for embracing the colour green and showing your support. 

It’s not too late to donate, or to hold an event for Be Green & Be Seen – Kia kākāriki, kia kitea. You can get involved anytime! 

There’s information about Be Green & Be Seen here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/be-green-be-seen  

You can donate on our Givealittle page here: www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/be-green-and-be-seen-for-cp  

You can take part in #beACTIVE by holding a physical activity and setting up your own fundraising page here: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/beactive 


Annual General Meeting – 2024 

The Cerebral Palsy Society’s Annual General Meeting was held on October 6. 
As a result of the election process, we congratulated the following four candidates, who were elected and re-elected to the Board:  

– Helena Chan
– Meg Smith
– Peter Wynne-Jones
– Renata Kotua  

They join the following board members who retained their positions:  

– Daniel Clay
– Emma Lovett
– George Hewitt
– Reuben Woods   

Thank you to Murray Warring and Michael Turner for putting yourselves forward to serve on the board. We’re sorry your nominations were not successful, but we remain grateful that we have people who want to support the Society, and advocate for its members, in this way.  Thank you.   


2023-2024 Annual Impact Report 

We are delighted to present the Cerebral Palsy Society’s 2023-2024 Annual Impact Report.   

This report shares the stories of the people across Aotearoa New Zealand who live with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi and benefit from the support the Society offers.    

It tells the story of the mahi we do.    

We couldn’t achieve what we have achieved this year without the wonderful generosity of our donors and the trusts and foundations who support us to carry out this mahi. We are extremely grateful.    

You can read the full report here: https://ebooks.edocumentonline.com/cpsociety/cp_society_annual_impact_report_2023-2024/  


Website Accessibility Menu 

We’re excited to introduce a new feature on our website.  

Our UserWay Accessibility Menu is designed to make navigating a little easier, particularly for people with disabilities or impairments.  

Check out our video – https://youtu.be/cwGUAvIHyS4 – to get an insight into how the accessibility menu might help you before heading over to our website, www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz and giving it a go yourself!  

With thanks to the ANZ Staff Foundation whose generosity has made this possible. 


Entertainment Memberships – a great gift for Christmas 

Support our fundraiser by purchasing an Entertainment Membership and you’ll get some great rewards! 

Save up to 50% on dining, shopping and things to do  
– Unlock 15,000 valuable offers across Australia, New Zealand and Bali 

Current offer: COMPLIMENTARY Multi City Membership Upgrade + BONUS $30 Woolworths Gift Card with every Single City Entertainment Membership purchase. 

Order Here - https://subscribe.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/9g64387   


Auckland Marathon  

Are you taking part in the Auckland Marathon this weekend, November 3?   
If you are, why not set up a fundraising page so you can support the Cerebral Palsy Society at the same time!?  

To take part in one of the Auckland Marathon events you must register with the organisers and pay their registration fee.   

Simply head to https://aucklandmarathon2024.grassrootz.com/cerebral-palsy-society-nz and click ‘Register Now’. You will be given the chance to set up a fundraising page as part of the registration process.   

If you have already registered, it’s not too late to set up a fundraising page. Go to https://aucklandmarathon2024.grassrootz.com/cerebral-palsy-society-nz and click ‘Start Fundraising’.   

Once you’ve got the link to your fundraising page, share it far and wide with your whānau, friends and colleagues.   

If participating in the Auckland Marathon isn’t for you, head to our Auckland Marathon page above and click ‘Make a donation’ to show your support to the people who are taking part.   


Coffee groups  

Have you been to one of our coffee groups yet? 

The refreshments are on us! A companion, support worker and/or family member is welcome to accompany members to these groups. Up to $15 worth of refreshments per person is provided.  
Coffee groups are held in Auckland, Whanganui, Masterton, Wellington and Christchurch.    

For all the coffee group venues, dates and times check out our website – www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/member-services/events/coffee-groups 

Our newest group is in Whanganui. They had a lovely first meeting this month, and they are keen for more members to join them in November.   

Venue:  Mint cafe – www.mintasfrank.co.nz  
Address: Majestic Square, Whanganui  
Date: Every third Sunday of the month (except January) 
Time: 1.30pm  
Host: George  

For more information about our Coffee Groups, please phone 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz. 


Research articles 

Cerebral Palsy Society Researcher Amy Hogan has two new articles on the Research page of our website – both full of tips and suggestions. Check them out:  

The practicalities of disability and sleep
www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/research/practicalities-of-disability-and-sleep 

– Understanding fatigue in disability: Insights and strategies 
www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/research/understanding-fatigue-in-disability-insights-and-strategies 


The Cerebral Palsy Podcast and the ATSNZ Disability Expo 

Radio personality and host of The Cerebral Palsy Podcast, Kris Edwards, is speaking at ATSNZ Disability Expo’s Auckland event.   

The expo is on November 6 and 7 at the Due Drop Events Centre in Manukau and Kris will be speaking as part of the seminar programme on Wednesday, November 6 from 1.45pm – 2.30pm. 

His presentation is named On Air & Online – Media & My Life With Cerebral Palsy. 

The Christchurch expo is on November 20 and 21 at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. 


CP Society member Allyson Hamblett is a local hero 

Allyson Hamblett, CP Society member and artist, was one of three finalists in Westfield’s 2024 Local Heroes Awards for Westfield St Lukes. 
Earlier this month Allyson was recognised as a finalist, securing a $5000 grant for Māpura Studios to go towards art and art therapy classes to disabled and disadvantaged people in the community. 

Allyson is an advocate for a more creative and inclusive society and is an example of the benefits of art therapy. 
Congratulations Allyson!

You can learn more about Māpura Studios in this article Allyson wrote for The Review magazine in 2022. 


Research opportunities 

There are plenty of Cerebral Palsy and disability-related research opportunities to get involved in.   

– Accessibility of buildings for people with disability
– Exploring Parental Perspectives: CMV Screening and Diagnosis in New Zealand through the Lens of Families
– Paediatric inpatient rehabilitation: What’s important to you?
– Healthy Ageing in Adults with Cerebral Palsy. 

Head to our Research Opportunities page for more information: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/cerebral-palsy/research/research-opportunities    


What’s On 

Disability Women & Girls Expo 

Disability Sport Auckland is holding a Disability Women & Girls Expo on Sunday, November 17, from 1pm – 4pm at the Northern Tennis Centre, Albany Sports Park. 
The expo is to showcase the support that those living with a disability can receive, including sport, funding, workshops, beauty and more. 
Contact: Aleisha on aleisha@disabilitysportauckland.co.nz 
Register: https://tinyurl.com/57cbur7m 

Trikes NZ Demo Days 

Trikes NZ has Demo Days coming up in Tauranga (November 13) and Cambridge (November 14).  
Demo Days are also planned for Auckland (December 11) and Whangarei (December 12).  
For more information check out Trikes NZ’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/trikesnz 

Cerebral Palsy and premature ageing – webinar 

My CP Guide is hosting a free webinar about Cerebral Palsy and premature ageing. 
The session will explain the association of Cerebral Palsy with premature ageing, and how and why it occurs. 
The panel will discuss some possible signs and symptoms that people with Cerebral Palsy should look for, and what they can do about it. 
The webinar is happening at 6pm (4pm AEDT) on Monday, November 18. 
Information and registration: https://tinyurl.com/fb4xn6th 

 


Trike looking for a new home 

The parents of a CP Society member want to find a new home for their daughter’s trike as she doesn’t use it anymore.  
It is a small adult-sized trike, and the daughter is about 5’5”. The seat can be raised for a taller person. 
The bike was re-modelled to fit their daughter as she grew, and the current frame is an older frame.  
The family’s first preference is for it to go to a fellow CP Society member, otherwise they are happy to hand it over to anyone who can make good use of it. 
Collection would be from West Auckland. 
For more information contact:  Melissa on 027 297 2859 or dave.missi@xtra.co.nz 


Well, that’s about it from me and the CP Society team.  
All the best for the lead up to Christmas (it’s not far away). 

Nga mihi,
Clare

Clare Williams   
General Manager    

Postal address:   
Po Box 24759
Royal Oak
Auckland 1345
New Zealand      

Phone: 0800 503 603
cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz
www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz    
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