Our Members - Their Stories
Where are they now?
13 Oct 2025
This year we’re checking in with members who have shared their stories with us as part of previous Be Green & Be Seen campaigns. We wanted to find out what they’ve been up to.
Trish McQueen
Trish spoke to us for Be Green & Be Seen in 2022 and has continued making the most of every opportunity that comes her way.
On top of her yoga and WIDance classes (inclusive dance classes, workshops, and performance opportunities for people of all ages and abilities in Wellington), she started taekwondo classes last year.
This year she gained her yellow belt. Congratulations Trish!
Trish has tapped into various Cerebral Palsy Society funding options to help cover the costs of yoga and taekwondo.
Thomas Chin
Thomas was part of our 2022 Be Green & Be Seen campaign and had a real passion for advocacy.
Where is he now?
After studying a Bachelor of Laws minoring in Māori and indigenous studies at the University of Canterbury, Thomas graduated in 2024 and secured a job at a law firm in Whakatāne.
“My advocacy work has transferred into my mahi as a lawyer. I cover a wide range of legal areas including criminal law, conveyancing and wills and succession. Although no longer specific to the disability sector, my focus on advocacy remains at the forefront of what I do.”
Check out the August 2025 article the Halberg Foundation wrote about Thomas here.
Kevin Botha
We first met Kevin and his family in 2023.
Dad Shane says “Kevin is still a very happy and positive boy”.
“He does therapy daily and is eager and happy to do it. He is a hard worker and tough both in body and mind.”
His language – using a communication book, a tablet and Sign Language – has continued to advance.
Earlier this year the family spent 2 weeks holidaying in China.
“It was an amazing holiday filled with sights and sounds of extremely modern cities with incredible infrastructure, and amazing ancient buildings and artifacts that Kevin enjoyed looking at and experiencing.
“Kevin enjoyed Xian in particular. At night it was so vibrant and there were amazing theatre shows, street shows and lights. The food was also incredible.
“One thing we really noticed about China was, that while not always the best for people in wheelchairs and access, it has improved at an amazing speed and you can see it is becoming more of a focus there. The people were so accommodating and friendly, it was really heart-warming.”
Vaotane (Va) Filemoni
Va spoke to us for the 2023 Be Green & Be Seen campaign about living life with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi, her love of ballroom dancing and working as a teacher aid.
Va still loves her job as a teacher aid at a South Auckland primary school – a role she has had for 6 years – and keeps up with weekly dancing lessons.
Earlier this year she went to Samoa for a funeral. While it was a sad occasion, the trip was a great opportunity to catch up with loved ones. It was her first overseas trip in 22 years. She went for 8 days and is now planning a trip to Italy for her uncle’s wedding in October 2026.
Click here to watch Va’s Be Green & Be Seen 2025 presentation and performance at her work.
Gary Endacott
Known for his straight talking, motivational speaking and a long list of achievements, Gary was part of our 2024 Be Green & Be Seen campaign.
He is still making a difference working in the vital role of Disability Facilitator for the Ministry of Education – a position he has now held for 23 years.
Earlier this year Gary was named as patron of @Christchurch Riding for the Disabled. He says he’s got a lot of time for the RDA and he was keen to get on board when they offered him the position.
Gary looks forward to his visits to the centre and working with the staff and volunteers to provide knowledge around all disabilities.
Gary is among the guests who appeared on CP and Me earlier this month – check out the first episode here.
Max Wymer
When we met Max in 2024 life was all about boccia and watching the One New Zealand Warriors.
Not much has changed – except that boccia has “taken off”.
Max went to Christchurch for the 2024 Boccia NZ Nationals where he and fellow Cerebral Palsy Society member Troy Robertson played doubles and won a silver medal.
Earlier this year Max travelled to Wellington for the North Island regionals where he came second in the BC3.
He is now training for this year’s Nationals in Christchurch in October and his international debut at the Canberra 2025 World Boccia Challenger in November.
