NEWS & UPDATES
June update from the Cerebral Palsy Society
27 Jun 2024
Where has the year gone? Already it is the end of June – we’re halfway through the year.
I hope the winter ills and chills haven’t been too nasty for you and your whānau.
This weekend is Matariki – a time for remembrance, a chance to celebrate the present and look to the future. However you spend the long weekend, the CP Society team and I wish you well.
We want kids to getMoving
We’re so excited! We have just launched our latest programme – getMoving.
getMoving is open to 16 Auckland-based Cerebral Palsy Society members, aged 6-18, who live with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
It’s all about….you guessed it……getting kids moving through specialist and customised exercise classes.
This awesome progamme has been made possible with generous funding from Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa and the fabulous team at Functional Adaptive Movement™Ltd .
It kicks off on July 24 so don’t delay. Click here for all the information and registration details.
SAVE THE DATE for Be Green & Be Seen
We are counting down the days until Be Green & Be Seen 2024 kicks off on October 1!
Now is the time to SAVE THE DATE and start sharing the excitement with everyone you know. Rally your friends, whānau, school mates, colleagues and neighbours!
Be Green & Be Seen is all about:
– Going green (the international colour for Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi)
– Raising awareness of what it means to live with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi
– Raising funds so the Cerebral Palsy Society can keep doing the work it does to support Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi
– Joining Kiwis across the country who are going to #beACTIVE to fundraise for the Society.
Get your green thinking caps on and spread the word! There’s plenty of info on our website: www.cerebralpalsy.org.nz/how-it-works
If you want to talk through any ideas, just get in touch – cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz or 0800 503 603. We’d love to hear from you.
PS – if October doesn’t work for you – no worries! You can go green and #beACTIVE anytime that works for you!
getOnYourTrike
The getOnYourTrike programme has successfully been decommissioned.
Trikes have been purchased for a koha by CP Society members and people from the wider disability community, including a number of special schools.
It’s been wonderful to hand the trikes over to their excited new owners knowing they will be getting plenty more use.
Member survey update
The member survey closed on Sunday, June 23. Thanks to everyone who submitted their feedback. We are delighted to have such a wonderful response from members.
We have received some wonderful feedback about how much you value the Society and the services you receive.
And we received some very valuable ideas, thoughts and feedback about things like e-card providers, coffee groups and events outside of Auckland.
We’re looking forward to going through all the responses, responding to members where necessary and discussing the feedback as a team, and with the CP Society Board, to see what ideas we might be able to put into action.
Thank you to everyone who entered the draw to win an iPad – our little way of saying thank you for sharing your thoughts.
We’re delighted to announce that the winner is Leanne Mako! Congratulations!
Disability and Pets
Having a pet or animal companion can provide a great sense of connection, fun and family, writes Cerebral Palsy Society Researcher and Member Support Advisor, Amy Hogan.
And she should know – Amy is a long-time animal lover who never left the animal and pet sections of the library (as a child or an adult). Her Mobility Dog Mary and turtle Christopher Hitchens are the lights in her life.
You can read Amy’s thoughts on disability and pet ownership here.
Join us at Coffee Group
Have you been to one of our coffee groups yet?
The refreshments at coffee group 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, compliments of the Cerebral Palsy Society.
Coffee groups are currently held in Auckland, Masterton, Wellington and Christchurch.
We love welcoming new people to the groups, so please get in touch if you’re interested in attending.
If you want to attend a coffee group but the day/time/venue of an existing group doesn’t work for you, or there isn’t one in your area, please contact us to discuss your needs.
Phone 0800 503 603 or email cpsociety@cpsociety.org.nz.
For all the coffee group venues, dates and times check out our website.
Thank you to our supporters
As a charity the Cerebral Palsy Society relies on donations and grants to help us do the mahi we do for Kiwis living with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi.
We want to give a big shout out to the trusts, foundations and friends of the Society that support us. Ka mau te wehi – thank you so much!
Most recently:
– Swim-Able NZ Charitable Trust
– Aotearoa Gaming Trust
– Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa
– Dragon Community Trust
You can check out all the generous trusts and foundations that support us here.
Arc NZ Baby – special offer!
It’s not too late to cash in on the awesome offer the team at ARC NZ BABY has for CP Society members!
Imagine including your toddler at the bench in the kitchen, in a safe manner that helps grow their confidence and boost their development!
Go to www.arcnzbaby.com and use the code CP_SOCIETY at checkout to receive $100 off the Arc Assistant 3 In 1 Learning Tower.
The offer expires on December 31, 2024 and is not valid with any other offer.
There’s more info here.
Research opportunities
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi and disability-related research. Head to our Research Opportunities page for more information.
– Navigating the SDR journey
– Abortion is a Human Right and Health Issue: Disabled People’s Experiences of Abortion Services in Aotearoa New Zealand
– Scientists seek children with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi for space-like anti-gravity walk
Well, that’s the latest from me.
I hope the month ahead treats you well. I look forward to bringing you more updates soon.
All the best, ngā mihi,
Clare and the CP Society team
Clare Williams
General Manager
