Strong Voices

Northland families with disabled children are withdrawing from contact with other people because of the sheer stress of trying to manage the children with little support.

IHC Family Liaison in Whangārei Jim Callaghan says families are barely coping because of the shortage, particularly of respite care that would give parents and carers a break.

The problem can be made worse by a child being excluded from school or from the few respite facilities available in Whangārei, leaving nothing on offer.

‘Stand Tall’ is a new app designed to dodge those tricky money situations – like getting to the end of the week and finding there’s no cash left for dinner.

The app is being developed by IHC and online gaming company InGame to make handling money easier for young people with disabilities who want to be independent.

Accessible Properties is carrying out improvements to IDEA Services properties throughout the country as part of a Healthy Homes programme. This will ensure homes are insulated and heated to the appropriate levels. Assessment of properties has started and those that need the most work will be given priority. Contractors will keep in touch with Service Managers to let each area know when Accessible Properties will be assessing properties and doing the improvements. Accessible Properties is committed to meeting the Government’s requirements for providing healthy homes.

Hamish Gilbert completed a gruelling 100km cycle ride through Hawke’s Bay in gale-force winds as part of his mission to earn gold in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award.

The ‘Adventurous Journey’ section was a three-day hard slog and the third and final requirement for his gold award. Hamish had meticulously planned his route and every detail of the journey. “It was headwinds all the way,” he says. “By the time I arrived home I was very tired. I was very pleased with myself.”