Chat 21 Summer 2023

CHAT 21

ISSUE 92, Summer 2022-23

ISSN 2744-4635

A journal about & for the New Zealand Down syndrome community.

Editorial – Summer 2022-23

Kia ora koutou,

First of all, my apologies for the lateness of this issue. We had hoped to get it to you by earlier in February, but as you will be aware, nature has intervened! Of course, we are all thinking of those impacted by the flooding in the North Island. Due to the event, I was not able to give contributors as much notice as they should have had for their pieces, and so any missing articles you might normally expect are completely down to my reduced capacity, and I apologise for that as well as the timing of this issue. As I write, the rain is continuing to pour in West Auckland, and we are all looking forward, slightly desperately, to the return of sunshine and the school term, which was supposed to be underway by this time. It’s impossible to know yet just how much devastation has been caused by these floods, and as ever, it is the most vulnerable who have been hit the hardest. This event has highlighted many gaps in our public services, not least of which is the availability of information and support for those with diverse needs, including people with Down syndrome and their families. As the emerging discussions of

how we can do better next time develop, we must not allow this to fade into the background.

As always in a crisis, however, it has been heart-warming to see the generosity, kindness, and willingness to muck in from so many. In my new capacity as a local board member, it’s been truly incredible to see the number of community organisations, civil servants, neighbours, volunteers, charities, emergency services, and more stepping up and working around the clock to help those impacted. There’s the Countdown cashier spending $100 of her own money to add to the donations, the school secretary who set up staff showering facilities for disabled evacuees, our neighbour’s children rummaging in cupboards for donations, and the constant stream of updates from my fellow elected members to keep us all informed and directing the right help to the right place – calling each other from various help centres and clean-up sites. A truly phenomenal number of people, expertise, and services have been mobilised.

High-vis and gumboots — cleaning up in West Auckland

If you or anyone you know has been impacted by the floods, please visit aucklandemergencymanagement.org.nz to find information on where to get support. This information is available on that website in a variety of languages and formats, including Easy Read. This issue was originally going to be themed around the great outdoors but given recent events (and the number of cancelled camping trips across the motu!), the theme of the Summer 2022-23 issue is safety. Safety comes in many forms, and that doesn’t have to mean becoming the fun police! Sometimes safety means focussing on friendships, as Nikki Wilson’s article demonstrates. It’s thinking about social cohesion, which the new entity covered in this issue will encourage.

It’s being aware of our surroundings at home and online, and there are expertlead tips about both of these things in these pages as well. It’s keeping our bodies, our minds, and our social lives active, and we look at how Carlos, Luka, StarJam, Andrew, and Lucy all provide great examples this summer. Of course, you can’t have safety without talking about inclusion, and as we look forward to World Down Syndrome Day 2023, there’s lots of food for thought in this edition about how we can take small steps to make our world a more inclusive place, and therefore a safer place for all.

Noho ora mai,

Sarah Paterson-Hamlin Editor

Taking neighbour donations to the Kelston Evacuation Centre

Find the right socks in time for WDSD 23

Many countries around the world celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on 21 March each year by wearing odd socks. The theory behind this is that the 21st chromosome looks a little bit like a sock, and so to celebrate those in our lives with three of them, we wear either mismatched or novelty socks.

Aotearoa is no exception, and here is a smorgasbord of sock options from home and around the world to purchase in time for the big day in 2023. If you’ve never done it before, perhaps this is the year to convince your school, daycare, preschool, workplace, flatmates, etc. to don a pair of odd socks for WDSD!

Down Syndrome International official 2023 socks

Starting with the big guns, Down Syndrome International have once again selected a design from entries from all over the globe to be their Lots of Socks campaign 2023. The winning image, featuring a multi-coloured and chequered heart, was created by Jessica Rotolo of Canada. The socks are on sale for only £4 (about $8 –though shipping will be a factor!) via this link: https://www.downs-syndrome.org. uk/product/lots-of-socks-2023/

John’s Crazy Socks

John and his Dad have been spreading happiness through their socks since 2016 when John (who has Down syndrome) left school. Based in the US, they have the most incredible range of novelty socks, from pop stars to football to classic literature and everything in between. And a Down Syndrome Awareness range too, naturally!

https://johnscrazysocks.com/collections/ down-syndrome-socks

NZ Sock Co

If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, try the NZ Sock Co, based in Ashburton. The main ingredient is Aotearoa-grown merino, and a portion of their profits go towards supporting Cure Kids. While their designs are a bit more conservative than John’s or DSI’s, their materials are of such amazing quality, you’ll be happy to purchase a few pairs in order to mix it up on WDSD!

https://www.nzsock.co.nz/

Norsewood socks via Nisa

The capital of socks in New Zealand – if not the global capital - is Norsewood. This small town in the North Island and its Norwegian heritage are to thank for its current epithet of “the place where socks are from”- and it’s no lie. If you’d like to get a piece of Kiwi sock history and support the work of refugees through Nisa at the same time, check out Nisa’s sock range here, including options for babies: https:// nisa.co.nz/collections/socks

Setting up a Safe Home for a Child with a Disability

Adapted from the Inspection Support Network, Seattle

We all want our homes to be safe, accessible spaces for our whānau, especially when someone in the home has additional needs. Inspection Support Network are home inspectors based in the USA, and have kindly provided some useful tips for creating safe homes for children with disabilities. These can be helpful for any visitors or guests as well as your own family members.

If you’re renting your home, check out this section of the Community Law NZ website on rights for tenants with disabilities: https://communitylaw.org.nz/communitylaw-manual/chapter-17-disability-rights/ renting-a-flat-access-to-housing-andaccommodation/

If your home and accessibility needs have been impacted by the recent flooding, you can receive payments from MSD that are not means-tested. Call 0800 400 100 for more information. You can also get in touch with your local representatives: MPs, Councillors, and Local Board Members who will be able to provide support and connections to resources.

Modifications for wheelchairs

• Flooring: non-slip materials like textured vinyl, hardwood, or ceramic are all great for wheelchair users. Laminate is a highly durable, easy cleaning flooring material which makes it easier for your child to navigate without getting stuck or frustrated. Carpet is non-slip but thicker carpets like high-pile can be challenging.

• Exterior and home entrance: New Zealand accessibility requirements are 850mm width for entrance doors. Entrance ramps for stairs leading in and out of the home can be installed permanently, or cheaper, portable options are also used.

• Bathrooms: Suggestions include doorless showers, grab bars on the side of a shower to get in and out as easily as possible. Moving mirrors down in other rooms as well as bathrooms, and obtaining shower chairs and benches.

• Kitchens: Designate at least one lowlevel cabinet or draw so your child can easily grab their favourite snacks or utensils. Low kitchen tables enable your child to eat with everyone else, do homework, arts and crafts etc. A grabber device in the kitchen can help reach higher, lightweight items.

• Bedrooms: It’s safest to have a pathway from the bed to outside the room. Electrical cords on the floor, area rugs, and smaller spaces are to be avoided.

Modifications for children with visual impairments

• Whether your child’s visual impairment is mild or significant, they might still be able to perceive light and shapes. Making home modifications will help them perform everyday tasks more efficiently.

• Lighting: make every room as bright as possible and install 60-100 Watt lightbulbs in all fixtures. Try a few different bulbs, including warm incandescent and cool fluorescent, to determine which ones work best for your child. Place torches around key areas of the home just in case you child needs some extra light. Paint light switches in a dark or contrasting colour from the wall so they are easy to find.

• Colour and contrast: bright colours are easier to see, so use solid hues like orange, red, and yellow for items near key pieces of furniture. Avoid patterned rugs or upholstery since they can cause confusion. Apply bright coloured strips to stairways and add some fluorescent tape to doors and cabinets so they’re easy to locate. Avoid clear glasses, dishes, or bowls and instead aim for bright-coloured dinnerware. Paint doorframes and doorknobs bright colours.

• Organisation: Label essential items so your child can easily find the things they need. Remember to put things back once you’re done using them so they’re always in the same place. Fabric paint, rubber bands, and pipe cleaners are all options for tactile label-making.

• Eliminating safety hazards: tips include pushing chairs in when you’re done, keeping electrical cords secure and behind furniture, handrails on stairway and grab bars in the shower or bath, marking stairs and raised thresholds with bright coloured tape or other distinguishable markers, creating a family evacuation plan so your child can get out quickly in an emergency.

Sensory-friendly home modifications

• Lighting: use as much natural light as possible and choose bulbs with a colour-rendering index (CRI) as close to 100 as possible. Avoid flickering lights such as fluorescent or CFL lighting and switch to LED if possible. Try and avoid lighting that makes a background buzzing noise. Dimmable light switches and window tinting can reduce glare, as can keeping surfaces light screens, mirrors, and bright benches away from sunlight.

• Colours: use calming, soft colours when decorating to avoid over-stimulation. When looking for a home, the more open-plan the more sensory-friendly. Minimise clutter where possible to avoid visual barriers. Map an in-home walking loop that allows children with pacing behaviours to walk around to reduce stress.

• Smells: avoid strong smells like air fresheners or scented candles. When using paint or stain, look for those which have a low level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Keep your home well-ventilated. Opt for fragrance-free cleaning products and detergents.

• Bring nature indoors: Add a few safe houseplants and maintaining a garden area where possible is a soothing strategy.

General safety considerations

• Hidden gas valves: ensure these are all out of reach of children.

• Kitchen safety: always keep knives and other sharp objects up high and/or out of sight. Some kitchen appliances have special safety features like hidden on/ off switches or child-proof buttons.

School Friendships

By Nikki Wilson

Our son Toby is seven and a half years old, and has attended Pillans Point school since he was five years old.

I have always believed that the more people that get to know Toby in the community, the more he would be understood and make friendships within his community in Tauranga.

What I never imagined was just how many students at Pillans Point School would grow to love and include Toby. Being a stand-up comedian with an infectious smile has definitely helped students to warm to Toby.

From day one I believed it was best to explain in simple terms that Toby was different in the way he learnt and some of his challenges. Children have a natural curiosity and I have always felt it is better to help a child understand a person's differences so they can be more empathetic and open to forming new friendships. If a child started staring at Toby and looking confused about his behaviour, speech, or physical appearance, I always tried my best to help them to understand about Down syndrome.

My favourite saying was " This is Toby - Toby has Down syndrome which makes him different - but he is different in a really cool way. "

My next favourite saying:

" It is ok to stare, but just make sure you stare with a smile on your face, because Toby loves it when people smile at him" This always creates a lovely friendly interaction with the children, and opens up discussion about how being different is really cool.

Toby is very fortunate to have a big sister who has played, helped, and been protective of him since he was born. Before Toby started school, many older students already knew him. Big sister Mya had taught her peers the great things about Toby. It was not unusual for Mya to come home and tell us that her friends wished they had a brother like Toby because he was not annoying and was so much fun. It is not by chance that Toby has grown to be so well-liked by his school community. The staff at Pillans Point school have role modelled how to communicate, interact, and include Toby from the moment he started school. For this our family is so incredibly grateful!

As an adult, you know that you just need a few great friends in your life to feel content. Quality friendships over quantity is what matters.

This year, Toby has two amazing friends who wait for him to arrive each day, and spend every breaktime playing with him. Oliver and Larissa are incredibly caring friends who have a beautiful mutual kindness.

Last week Toby announced at 8.20am "Hurry up mum, my friends are all waiting for me." That was music to a mum's ears!

So, to conclude, I hope that all children who have Down syndrome get to experience a lovely positive school experience. I would encourage helping children to understand Down syndrome, rather than leave them staring and confused.

Thank you Pillans Point School community for "nailing" how to treat children with additional needs.

Article by Nikki Wilson

(More famously and proudly known as Toby Wilson's mum)

Left: Toby and his Sister Mya

Right: Oliver, Toby and Larissa - best friends at school

Online safety

Keeping safe online is a minefield for almost everyone in Aotearoa. From scams that target the elderly to innocent-looking YouTube videos that seem to be aimed at toddlers, there’s a lot to navigate at every age and stage. Perhaps the most vulnerable time is during the teen years, when young people are surrounded by peers who are online, and when adolescence triggers many to push accustomed boundaries to find new levels of independence. But the internet can also be a powerful tool to combat social isolation, to nurture relationships with friends and whānau, to find our various support networks, to share stories the world needs to hear, to celebrate these developing identities emerging in the teen years, and to have fun!

For parents of young people with Down syndrome, there are different challenges to keeping rangatahi safe online. Awhi Ngā Mātua is an online community for parents of children with disabilities, and over the summer holidays they published some suggestions about keeping kids safe online. These holidays, most of the country has seen more than its fair share of rain, so the timing couldn’t have been better! Here are a few highlights summarised from the article.

Keep communication going

Talk to your child at a level appropriate to their understanding about what is and isn’t ok online. For example, they might have a good set of rules for recognising ‘stranger danger’ in the physical world, but these rules are different in the virtual world. A conversation around things to avoid like giving away personal details to someone you don’t know well might be a good plan. Would you do it face-to-face?

On the flipside, ongoing discussions about what is appropriate for your child to do or say online is also important. This is a great rule of thumb for ANYONE using the internet - if you wouldn’t say it, share it, or do it in real life, don’t do it online. It’s also important to discuss consequences, and build an awareness that once things are shared online, it’s usually not easy to control where they go or who sees them in the future.

Be alert to your child’s emotions after they’ve been online

If their behaviour is different after they’ve been on a device, ask more information about this to protect against cyber-bullying, or negative influences on self-esteem from social media.

Utilise the tools already available

Most apps, social media sites, online learning platforms, and devices have parental control options and other security settings that can be used to keep safe whilst also allowing adequate levels of privacy for your child’s online life. Utilise what you can and ask your nearest tech-savvy mates for help when you need it.

Establish clear boundaries and rules for being online

These can be written, talked about, or displayed pictorially depending on what is best for your whānau. One of these rules can be for parents – that if something has happened to make your child uncomfortable online, they can come to you tell you and not be in trouble, even if one of the other rules has been broken in the process.

Check out more resources on this topic

Our good friends at the IHC library have resources on online safety for both kids and parents, and there are plenty of great options online too like this tool from the Endeavour Foundation: https://www. endeavour.com.au/disability-services/ online-resources/online-safety-academy

Poetry Page…

Your absence

By Carlos Biggeman

Love how your absence hurts me, it’s as if I were alone in my room and in my hands I contemplated your photo,

There in the distance you are very present but while here it hurts

It seems that we are close but unfortunately we separated between 2 islands one from the other, it will be that destiny is going to stop us and we meet again,

God wanted you to take my heart so that you have it well guarded and I yours,

I have you but at the same time I don’t have it, it’s like a ship would disappear far away, so the moon would stop shining, the waves would not stop being waves, the most beautiful flowers would change their colors to black, the hands of time would no longer touch the hour ,

“Your absence hurts me but my great desire is to find you again one day”

To love each other again and be united forever,

It hurts me yes, but I promise you that I will continue to find you to be in your arms,

I want to know what you think from so far away because here I am also thinking of you,

I miss you so much day and night but at the same time I doubt if you still love me. Your absence is so strong that these flames of fire are burning me,

I was walking on the beach and I sat on the sand and decided to write your name but a wave came and erased it with the wind so I decided to write you on paper,

Meanwhile I carry you in the depths of my heart, and there your name is written so that no one could erase it,

I only write you this poem to tell you how much I love you and although your absence hurts in my soul I carry you, And if I have to wait an eternity for you to see us meet here, I will always wait for you and then tell you

How much I love you

'Enormous, beautiful, white and fluffy': Special flower for Angela

Reproduced with kind permission of Star News Canterbury

Angela Early’s smile says it all.

The 17-year-old from Greendale, south of Christchurch, has been beaming since being able to see and hold a newly bred flower that has been named after her.

The Angela Early peony was bred by Christchurch specialist peony propagator Paul Simmons.

Simmons and his wife Esther are Angela’s great uncle and aunt.

Angela has Down syndrome, and she is also autistic and non-verbal. While Angela cannot put into words how she feels about the honour of having a flower named after her, she has been able to show her joy nonetheless.

Her mum Christine said when Angela took one of the flowers into her school, Darfield High, to show teachers, she had been “beaming and happy to have her photo taken”.

The flowers are slightly fragrant, as well as “enormous, beautiful, white and fluffy”.

“They were so heavy (Angela) could hardly hold them, that’s when I just gave her one to hold at first,” Christine said.

“Angie enjoys being in the garden at home where we have a large amount of peonies. She loves to give flowers to people,” she added.

Simmons said he had been trying to breed a white peony which flowered early for the same span of Angela’s life so far – 17 years. “White peonies only start flowering about mid season, compared to other peonies,” he said.

And because Angela’s surname was Early, and he wanted to honour his grand niece, Angela Early had been the perfect name.

StarJam: Unleash our Potential

By Kirsty Bromley, Northland Area Programmes Coordinator

StarJam is a nationwide not-for-profit organisation that uses music, dance and performance to empower our tamariki and rangatahi inactive or isolated by disability, with mental and physical wellbeing our foremost priority.

We provide a unique place, within our weekly workshops, for our Jammers (young people) aged 6 to 25 years to express themselves and unleash their potential through the magic of music and performance. They get to make new friends, gain confidence & have a whole lot of fun each week! Our aim is to get our Jammers physically and socially active in an environment where they feel safe to be themselves, connect with their peers and develop social and physical skills that support and enable them to feel accepted and to live full and thriving lives within their communities.

Our weekly workshops occur nationwide in dance, rhythm and singing, along with regular opportunities for Jammers to perform and showcase their talents, they love to perform and always give it their all, with gigantic smiles on their faces. The community events bring Jammers together to hang-out and socialise outside of the weekly workshops and interact with non-Jammers and people from the wider community.

Each workshop holds 30 sessions annually and comprises up to 12 Jammers, under the

guidance of a paid tutor and 2-3 volunteers. They are donation-based in recognition of the financial hardship many families with disabled children face and are open to all who wish to participate, irrespective of their disability. We are all about what our young people can do.

During 2020 we celebrated our 20th Birthday. Currently over 780 tamariki and rangatahi have access to our programme. We currently have over 75 workshops happening in 13 different regions of Aotearoa as well as an online workshop for those living more rurally. We would love to grow each of our regions and expand to more regions throughout New Zealand. One in five young New Zealanders is living with a disability, which means approximately 150,000 young people are facing considerable barriers in their lives. StarJam gives young people the opportunity to experience “different doesn’t make you less”. We live in a world where people are still learning how to celebrate differences. StarJam creates a safe space where being who you are is celebrated. In the words of a parent, “StarJam has been the first place that my son has made any friends. Attending the workshops has had such a positive impact on him, especially helping him deal with his anxiety. And making him more comfortable in social situations. The tutor & the volunteers have helped him so much”.

The value that StarJam brings to young people’s lives is best summed up by the Jammers. As one Jammer said to his mum after a StarJam workshop "Mum I feel like crying". She asked him why and he said, 'because I had the best time and I'm so proud of how well I did'. She said, "So you want to keep going then,” and he said 'I want to go forever!'".

You can help the Jammers keep jamming forever! If you have a young person with a disability StarJam would love to hear from you. Or alternatively, if you would like to support the workshops by volunteering, being a tutor or donating, please email info@starjam.org or visit: https://www. starjam.org/donate

Sibling experiences

By Jordan, Georgina and Fraser Kirk

When I moved to Dunedin for university at 18, my sister and I walked past a group of young people in a bar. One of them had Down syndrome, and was having the absolute time of their lives. We stopped and stared, realised we were staring and quickly walked away, both smiling. We said to each other, “Spencer’s going to be like that”.

It meant so much to us to see this. As weird as it sounds, it’s something that still sticks with us, because now, Spencer is definitely like that.

We’re very lucky to have Spencer as our youngest brother. He’s definitely changed all of our lives, and we’ve had lots of fun, interesting, crazy, sometimes sad, often funny experiences growing up with him.

As we’ve gotten older, we’ve also seen the impact that Spence has had on our friends and the wider community around him. He has a great time, loves to dance, loves a party, and like all of us, doesn’t love the aftermath of the next day.

There have been many stories involving our brother Spencer, but we wanted to just shed light on this particular one. We were all invited to our cousin’s wedding and it was time to hit the dance floor. Spencer

loves dancing. He is by far the best dancer out of us all, and we’re all very happy to stand back and watch the show. What better time for Spence to put all his hard work at dance practice into good use. Spence decides to start break dancing in the middle of the dance floor full of confidence (which by this point we’re all very used to). We had an absolute blast, but a nice moment came from our mum spotting this message the next day:

“This is a bit random but my husband was playing music at a wedding at the Mount on Friday and noticed an awesome family with adult children in which one of those brothers has Down syndrome. He thought that he seemed like such a cool dude who knew how to party! That was so encouraging for him to see, as parents of a younger one — lots to look forward to with our kids.”

When we were younger we didn’t often get to see young adults with Down syndrome in a positive light, so we’re stoked to be a part of this young family’s story. For us, there have been so many positives having Spencer around and included in every part of our lives, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

Spencer, Fraser, Jordan and Georgina Kirk

Summer Success for Strivers

2022 was rounded off with some wonderful news for the Down syndrome community in general with not one but two self-advocates hitting the headlines!

Luka Willems from Christchurch qualified for the Virtus Global Games following six weeks of international competition in December, making him the only athlete with Down syndrome representing Aotearoa in the pool. He is also the first athlete from New Zealand to compete at the World Down Syndrome Championships which were held in Portugal last year. Not satisfied with just that record, he then went straight on to the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane, where he became the first Kiwi athlete with Down syndrome to compete. There, he won bronze in the 50m freestyle and three fourth-place positions as well.

Cameron Leslie is a three-time Paralympic gold medallist and Swimming NZ manager who travelled with the team to Brisbane. He told the Otago Daily Times, “Willems is a unique athlete in the way he is “blazing a trail for others living with Down syndrome and swimming. While as a swimming nation we are very early into our Down syndrome inclusion, we are committed to helping Luka and the next generation of swimmers with Down syndrome who haven’t made it into our competitive events as yet.”

This year, Luka will be off to France to take his place at the Virtus Global Games, so get ready to cheer him on from home! Slightly further south in Dunedin, Carlos Biggemann won the Stephen Thomas Award at the My Perspective Photography Competition, an international competition run from the Langdon Down Centre in the United Kingdom. The Award is highly prestigious, and this is the second win for Carlos: an incredible achievement. The winning photograph is “Where God’s Face is Hidden.” Carlos told the Otago Daily Times:

On a foggy morning, my parents and I drove on Highcliff Rd and it was such a beautiful day - no wind, neither cold. From my left-hand side window, at the back of the car, I saw this landscape of the tips of the hills which were covered by fog…It caught my attention and so I photographed it and I cannot regret it. The Awards were held at the Langdon Down Centre in Teddington, UK, and were hosted by the actress Sally Phillips, herself the proud Mum of three including a son with Down syndrome. Ms Phillips said “It was an absolute delight to be part of this event… I was so impressed by the calibre of photography on display. Congratulations to Jonathan, Lucia, and Carlos, the shortlisted finalists, and all those around the world who got involved and took part.”

How thrilling to see Kiwis with their names in lights on the world stage! You can purchase your own Carlos Biggemann photography prints at carlosbiggemannphotography.com Have we missed any news from you or someone you know? Email editor@nzdsa. org.nz and you could be in the next Chat 21!

Left: Sally Phillips & Carlos Biggemann

Right: Where God’s Face is Hidden

The Fiordland Holiday

By Andrew Oswin

I went on a lovely holiday with my parents holidaying in Te Anau. We stayed at an Airbnb holiday home called the Laybak Retreat, where we stayed for seven nights. It was such a delightful experience for me because I had not been there before. Each day when we had fine weather, we would go on several walks such as from the start of the Kepler Track to Dock Bay, walking along the lakeside of Te Anau while having gelato, and also walking to the Lake Marian Falls and Lake Mistletoe. We visited the Punanga Manu o Te Anau / Te Anau Bird Sanctuary looking at birds, especially the flightless takahe.

The first cruise I went on with my parents was around Milford Sound looking at waterfalls with rainbows and another waterfall that will make you look ten years younger, if the water touched your skin, which the captain told us about.

The second cruise my parents and I went on was to visit the Glowworm Caves where we attended a short briefing before visiting the caves. Everyone who was on the cruise with us had to duck as there were some low parts of the cave. We were then taken on a small boat that took us to visit the glowworms and we had to be very quiet. Afterwards, the staff gave us a presentation about the female and male glowworms, and I learned how important they are to our culture.

The Marathon

By Lucy Cronin

Mum and I went to the city on Sunday. It was the Auckland marathon. It was really fun.

First I ate extra food. I inhaled a banana because I was walking and eating at the same time. That felt bad.

Next we waited for the starting gun. It was raining and I was happy about it. Then the starting gun buzzed and we were off. We ran so fast.

Then we got tired so we ate a lot of marshmallows.

After that we kept on going until we got to the finish line. We got another marshmallow and got a pink medal. I did a dance for everyone. It felt awesome. Lastly we met some people with the diabetes team and we got some food and drinks.

A man with a rickshaw took us back to the carpark. The rain came down on us riding in it. It was the best ride ever. It was raining on us all the way to the finish line. I put lots of effort into it and felt proud about finishing. I will do it again some time.

NEO Notes

Kia ora

Once again, the start to the new year has been bumpy, and the NZDSA’s thoughts are with our members impacted by the recent floods in the North Island. COVID-19 and now the floods have highlighted the existing and ongoing systemic discrimination that people with disabilities face. It is also apparent via anecdotal reporting and stories in the media, that in times of crisis, disabled people and their whānau are not adequately considered, and if in crisis, help is usually from the personal support that people have created and from community disability groups who try to disseminate information and provide practical support wherever possible. It is widely recognised that disabled people and their whānau who are connected to others in the community, are recognised as having better life outcomes than people who are disconnected and experience isolation. I know that I have heard so many stories of people in the disability community helping each other endure lockdowns, isolations, and now recovery from the floods.

I know that I have learnt life-changing lessons from disabled people and whānau, and when I am faced with challenges or need to solve a problem, my first call is to other parents and whānau in the Down syndrome community, as they are a source of profound wisdom and guidance.

I thought this theme of support and connecting our community is another response to the question “What does the NZDSA do?”

I have previously shared in editions of CHAT 21 that the NZDSA has a number of foci which include:

• systemic advocacy as a means to influence changes in policy and processes so that all people with Down syndrome can benefit and enjoy more equitable access to the same rights as all New Zealanders;

• securing funding to deliver our core information, support, and systemic advocacy work as well as all the additional projects we undertake as the NZDSA receives no government funding;

• celebrating people with Down syndrome, the incredible contributions of our regional groups, and all our volunteers;

• raising awareness of Down syndrome in the wider community to bring about social change and transform our communities and society;

• creating and providing a hub of resources across a wide range of topics and issues for our members, professionals and the wider community, and

• educating and empowering our members and the wider community. All of the above-mentioned foci are critical, but if we look at why the NZDSA was established in 1981, we see that it was to bring parents together so that they could support each other, and forge change in society so that they and their children could enjoy a good life. This purpose has not changed for the NZDSA as we believe that it is only through supporting and connecting members of our community that we can achieve all the work that the NZDSA does.

The NZDSA cannot connect all our members nationally in-person, but we offer many online opportunities to connect and we recognise the invaluable work of our regional groups who offer gatherings like coffee mornings, regular social events, education events, and support youth social groups. Together we are building a nationally connected and supportive community.

The NZDSA has always prioritised ways to connect our community, and has recognised the value of hosting events that bring our community together. This ranges from facilitating new parents meeting faceto-face or online with a support parent, to the NZDSA National Achievement Awards hosted at Government House. The NZDSA recognises that each event that brings people together is an opportunity for people to make new or renew connections and this helps to create a support system. Unfortunately, COVID-19 stopped the NZDSA from hosting events like workshops, the Youth Development Camp and our Regional Meet and Greet sessions, but we are pleased to announce that we have plans to re-introduce events in 2023, such as STRIVE and STEP-UP workshops, the Youth Development Camp, and the NZDSA National and Regional Development Day. The NZDSA is also very pleased that once again we will be engaging with members in our region as we host a series of Kōrero and Kai sessions. These sessions will be an opportunity to meet with the NZDSA National Committee and staff, learn more about Enabling Good Lives, and to find out more about the local needs of the community. These valuable conversations will ensure that the NZDSA includes local voices when working nationally.

It is important to recognise that the NZDSA could not provide support to our community without the amazing work of all the volunteers in the regions and this includes all the hours that the Zone Representatives commit to their role on the National Committee.

I have also shared below a few events in the 2023 Calendar that will provide opportunities for you to connect to others in the NZDSA community. We would love to hear about all the formal and informal connections you have in the Down syndrome community. We would like to create a collage of photographs of activities and events that connect you to the Down syndrome community. Please send these to neo@nzdsa.org.nz

World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD)

The theme for the WDSD 2023 is With Us Not For Us. The global message that Down Syndrome International (DSi) will be promoting is “With Us Not For Us is fundamental to a human rights-based approach to disability”. The theme has strong synergy to Enabling Good Lives (EGL) which is also a transformational shift from a charity and medical model of disability that views disabled people as needing things done for them, to a social model of disability that recognises the fundamental rights of disabled people to enjoy full citizenship rights just like everyone else. This message from DSi, just like EGL, emphasises the importance of a person-directed approach and the right to make personal decisions about having choice and control in all aspects of their lives.

Throughout 2023, the NZDSA will be exploring this theme and we invite all our members to share with us what “With Us Not For Us” means for them. We hope you will join us in creating awareness about this important global message.

This year DSi has also introduced a campaign that focusing on Legal Capacity and Supported Decision-Making. This is of particular relevance in New Zealand as Te Aka Matua o te Ture | Law Commission is undertaking a review of the law relating to adult decision-making capacity.

What happened in the last quarter of 2022

• To mark Down Syndrome Awareness Month in 2022, we hosted the 2nd online conference from 3-21 October, continuing the theme of inclusion. We hosted 21 events at the conference and had over 700 registrations. The presentations were varied, but the key foci were early intervention, education, employment, creating inclusive communities as well as inspirational stories. We offered sessions for parents, whānau, professionals, self-advocates and siblings. The 27 speakers hosted more than 1,300 minutes of webinars, Q&A sessions and social gatherings.

• STRIVE celebrated their 10th anniversary and we marked the occasion with a hybrid face-to-face and online celebration with members of STRIVE and STEP-UP. At this event STRIVE introduced the new members joining STRIVE as well as announcing the establishment of the STEP-UP group and introduced the members of STEP-UP. In the next edition of CHAT21, STRIVE will share a little more about their 10-year journey, introduce you to the new STRIVE members and share more about the establishment of STEPUP.

• The NZDSA hosted two hybrid selfadvocacy workshops. Self-advocates prefer to call these Funshops as they say learning should be fun. We hosted the first two-day Funshop in Wellington in November and a second in Christchurch in December.

• We also hosted a number of online events (see photos on page 23).

• The Employment Resource was launched and is now available on the NZDSA website. A special thanks to Georgina Kirk and Kate Maroulis from Kindred - Psychology at Work, for partnering with the NZDSA to produce a range of resources to support more people with Down syndrome into work. For further information about Kindred, visit www.kindredwork.co.nz

We also hosted the final session in the Well-being Series. This series consists of eight digital resources which include a range of qualified counsellors, therapists, and psychologists sharing strategies for addressing well-being, grief, and finding supports. This series is available on our website and consists of the following sessions:

• Strengthening ourselves through challenging times - Kyra Lindsey

• Strengthening my skill set - Kyra Lindsey

• Mindfulness - Debbie Buddle

• Coping with Change - Debbie Buddle

• Attachment - Roni Saul

• Music Therapy - Anthony Manere

• Managing Your Feelings - Dr Mark Sinclair

• Well-being – STRIVE (the NZDSA’s leadership and advisory group for people with Down syndrome).

Top: STRIVE members Andrew Oswin & Rochelle Waters cutting the cake at STRIVE’s 10th anniversary celebration

Bottom: Members of STRIVE, STEP-UP and the NZDSA at the December Funshop.

The NZDSA continues to advocate on a range of key issues at stakeholder meetings.

• COVID-19 remains an issue in our community, so in addition to systemic advocacy, we have collated and disseminated information in the COVID-19 Bulletin. We have also secured some funding to help our community members who are isolating due to COVID-19. So, if you or someone you know in the Down syndrome community are isolating, please contact grace@nzdsa.org.nz to see if we can see help with providing some practical support

• The NZDSA also produced two new resources: ‘Hospital Stays’ and ‘Down syndrome in New Zealand’. Both of these resources are available on our website.

It was so exciting to once again meet for the NZDSA Youth Development Camp on 25-27 November at Vaughan Park Retreat Centre and MERC, in Long Bay, Auckland. The weekend was action-packed with exciting and sometimes challenging activities, great food, lots of laughter and dancing, and great company. It was an incredible weekend so if you are interested in attending the next one, please see the notice page for more details.

What’s coming in 2023

• The NZDSA is heading to Whangārei in Northland and hope to meet many members of our community.

• STRIVE Afternoon Tea Club online meetings for people with Down syndrome start on the 4th of March at 5pm and will be hosted regularly.

• The Big Connect will be back to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. Join us online at 7pm on Tuesday the 21st March.

• The NZDSA is hosting the NZDSA National and Regional Professional Development Day for our regional groups in Auckland on the 31st March and 1st April.

• Opportunities for online and in-person events to explore Enabling Good Lives.

• The NZDSA is planning to visit more regions in 2023.

• Self-advocacy workshops for people with Down syndrome.

• A variety of online support groups and education online sessions.

• The 3rd Virtual Conference will be held from the 3rd to the 21st October 2023 to mark Down Syndrome Awareness Month.

• The Youth Development Camp, 24th26th November at Vaughan Park, Long Bay, Auckland.

Information about all these events and more will be shared via CHAT 21, social media and Enews.

Top: A rest break for STRIVE and STEP-UP at the November Funshop

Centre: Group pic at Youth Development Camp 2022

Bottom: Conquering great heights at the Youth Development Camp

Rose Awards

I mentioned earlier how important support is for our community and the Rose Awards is an ideal opportunity to recognise and thank individuals or organisations who either support individuals with Down syndrome or the Down syndrome community. Please email me on neo@nzdsa.org. nz any nominations for an individual, family, or organisation explaining what they have done to “support or promote the participation of people with Down syndrome in their community”. We will acknowledge the person in CHAT21 and will post them a letter outlining why they were selected and include a box of Rose’s chocolates.

Notices

Just a reminder to look at the NZDSA notices which include a call:

• for adults with Down syndrome to tell their life stories

• for expressions of interest in accessing the NZDSA Numicon kits

• for expressions of interest in attending the Youth Development Camp

• to share your employment stories.

Enjoy your WDSD celebrations and remember to send your photographs to either editor@nzdsa.org.nz or neo@nzdsa.org.nz

Hei konā mai Zandra

President’s Pen

By Kim Porthouse

Hi All. As I write this, our country has been facing multiple weather-related events and devastation such as the shocking floods in Auckland and massive destruction and disruption due to slips particularly around the upper North Island. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to all families affected.

It is important at such times to connect to your support networks; I encourage you all to reach out if you are struggling. It is heart-warming at such times to see how communities come together to support each other, if you are ok but know of others who are in need of help, again reach out and offer what you can, even if it is simply a cup of tea and a listening ear.

Of course, these events come hot on the heels of Covid-19 which of course is still affecting family after family daily. Remember if you are isolating due to Covid, please contact NZDSA (0800 693724), we may be able to offer a helping hand.

When people are facing extraordinary challenges such as recent events, I am also reminded that families all over the country continue to face all the other day to day challenges that come along at times when supporting a loved one with additional needs. Connecting with and supporting families and people with Down syndrome is the core business of NZDSA. More than ever, we want to connect and offer support to face these everyday challenges.

Our resources are more accessible than ever before via the online resources on our website, and of course there are now many more resources available across many more topics and across the lifespan than ever before. If you haven’t visited our website for a while, take a look there may just be something you hare wanting to know about. We also continue to run our 0800 number for those who want to reach out and speak to someone. Regional groups still support families at a local level, are you aware of what is happening in your area? Don’t be afraid to reconnect and get involved with your local group.

At NZDSA we are excited to have received some funding which will help us facilitate regional re-connection post Covid in a few areas as well as chances to learn more regarding the Enabling Good Lives principles and model of disability supports that the Government is committed to implementing over time. Keep an eye out on our Facebook page to learn of these opportunities and others to engage. One opportunity to connect will be on World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD) when NZDSA will once again host the ‘Big Connect”, I hope you will join us. This year’s WDSD theme is “With us not for us” The Big Connect will be held online at 7.00pm on 21 March 2023. Keep an eye on the NZDSA Enews or our Facebook page for the link to join. Lastly, given the events of recent times I would like to share a little quote I recently happened across “Always believe something wonderful is going to happen. Even with all the ups and downs, never take a day for granted, Smile, cherish the little things and remember to hug the ones you really love”.

Launch of Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion

In October 2022, the Ministry of Social Development launched Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion at a community-based event at Takapūwāhia Marae in Porirua, supported by Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan and Te Rūnanga

o Toa Rangatira of Ngāti Toa.

The launch of Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion is a significant milestone in the Government’s response to the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCOI) into the 15 March Mosque Terror Attacks.

Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion tools and resources

The launch included the release of Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion tools and resources, which are now available on MSD’s website for your use. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you can expect:

• A strategic framework that sets out a vision, outcomes, focus areas, and enablers to help us understand the components of social cohesion. It provides a structure for understanding how we can collectively improve social cohesion and identifies the outcomes that will lead to stronger social cohesion, and focus areas for action that will help us achieve these outcomes.

• A measurement framework to help us assess our progress and identify areas to prioritise for future action. It has indicators that we can measure to give us a sense of change and help us progress in our journey.

• A government work programme identifies new and existing government activities that contribute

to strengthening social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Information sheets to support communities, the business sector and government to strengthen social cohesion in their respective areas.

• A “what we’ve heard” document that summarises what we heard from communities about social cohesion in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• A baseline report summary that provides a starting point for measuring social cohesion over time.

• Language translations and alternate formats for key products will be available.

Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion community fund

A $2 million community fund was also launched to support local, community-led initiatives that contribute to strengthening social cohesion. MSD is now accepting applications for the fund.

Community initiatives have a big impact on bringing people together and breaking down barriers, whether it be sports days, A&P shows or cultural events. This fund will allow groups to do more of what strengthens our communities.

If you’re aware of any community groups or organisations in your region who could benefit from the fund, please let them know about it.

Information about eligibility criteria and the application process for the community fund can be found online at the MSD website.

Te Korowai Whetū Social Cohesion community fund on the MSD website

Getting to know Victoria Smith –the new CEO (and dishwasher) of UpsideDowns

Where were you born/raised?

I was born in North Yorkshire in England. I was there till I was 26.

What first brought you to NZ?

A friend of a friend back from Australia told us “if you don’t absolutely love Australia, New Zealand is a really good place.” We were only in NZ for two days when we were looking into ways to stay. Not once did we try and think of ways to stay when we were in Australia!

What was your job before UpsideDowns?

I was a customer experience lead for Digital Boost working with small businesses across NZ to go digital.

What are you most excited about in the role?

Being able to share the amazing work of UpsideDowns with more people (and get more money for speech therapy so more children and young people with Down syndrome can get a voice!)

How much did you know about Down syndrome before this?

Not very much, especially about the speech therapy side of things so it’s an amazing learning curve coming up for me.

I have worked with families with children with different disabilities in the past.

What is awesome about UpsideDowns?

Everyone involved from the Board, the team, the members, the therapistseverybody contributing to the work that gets done. It’s so important because I now know that making sure children and young people with Down syndrome can communicate has knock-on effects into so many futures.

Where do you live?

In North-West Auckland.

Who is in your household?

My wonderful husband, my darling daughter who is nine years old, and my furry best friend Sam (a spoodle).

What’s your favourite breakfast?

Very, very creamy mushrooms on toast!

What book would you take to a desert island?

Matilda by Roald Dahl

First album you owned?

Whitney Houston’s self-titled album.

If you could get any celebrity to be an ambassador for UpsideDowns, who would it be?

The King of communication both verbal and non-verbal – Rowan Atkinson.

IHC Library

To start the new year, we are looking at a few of the many new books that have arrived at the IHC Library over the last few weeks.

Living your best life: an accessible guided selfhelp workbook for people with intellectual disabilities by Jonathan Williams

Summary: Living Your Best Life provides guided self-help materials for a person with intellectual disabilities to work through alongside a supporter such as a family member, paid carer, or mental health professional. The tools and guidance help the individual identify what is important to them and move towards a life where worries and doubts do not stop them doing activities they enjoy or trying new things. Each chapter includes separate sections for supporters and for the person with intellectual disabilities (which can be read to them if necessary). The workbook also includes a wide range of exercises, graded by difficulty so this can be matched to an individual’s specific abilities and challenges. The workbook is based on principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and includes advice around accepting and managing common psychological challenges such as anxiety, low mood, anger, and grief.

Body safety book for kids

A Children’s Picture Book about Personal Space, Body Bubbles, Safe Touching, Private Parts, Consent and Respect by Adrian Laurent

Summary: Nina experiences an invasion of her personal space and decides what action to take. Topics include personal space, body bubbles, appropriate and inappropriate touching, and steps to take when uncomfortable with someone’s touch.

Riley the Brave makes it to school: a story with tips and tricks for tough transitions by Jessica

Sinarski

All children struggle to make it to school some days, and this can be even tougher for children who have had difficult life experiences and extra challenges at school. This book creates a safe space for conversations about big thoughts and feelings and offers positive tips for families to try. It also features an educational afterword for grown-ups which explains how the book helps children, and how to get the most out of it.

Brother. do. you. love. me. by

Emmanuel Coe

Summary: Reuben, aged 38, was living in a home for adults with learning disabilities. He hadn’t established an independent life in the care system and was still struggling to accept that he had Down’s syndrome. Depressed and in a fog of anti-depressants, he hadn’t spoken for over a year. The only way he expressed himself was by writing poems or drawing felt-tip scenes from his favourite West End musicals and Hollywood films. Increasingly isolated, cut off from everyone and everything he loved, Reuben sent a text message: ‘brother. do. you. love. me.’ When Manni received this desperate message from his youngest brother, he knew everything had to change. He immediately left his life in Spain and returned to England, moving Reuben out of the care home and into an old farm cottage in the countryside. In the stillness of winter, they began an extraordinary journey of repair, rediscovering the depths of their brotherhood, one gradual step at a time. Combining Manni’s tender words with Reuben’s powerful illustrations, their story of hope and resilience questions how we care for those we love, and demands that, through troubled times, we learn how to take better care of each other.

Different: a great thing to be!

By Heather Avis

Macy is a girl who’s a lot like you and me, but she’s also quite different, which is a great thing to be. With kindness, grace, and bravery, Macy finds her place in the world, bringing beauty and laughter wherever she goes and leading others to find delight in the unique design of every person.

Children are naturally aware of the differences they encounter at school, in their neighbourhood, and in other everyday relationships. They just need to be given tools to understand and appreciate what makes us “different,” permission to ask questions about it, and eyes to see and celebrate it in themselves as well as in those around them.

Featured journal and articles- VoiceDown Syndrome

Australia

This is the journal of Down Syndrome Australia. It reports current best practice and relevant, interesting information to members on all aspects relating to Down syndrome and provides a forum for others. The May 2022 edition focused on employment and included the following articles: Right to work

Describes a project led by Down Syndrome Australia to address the barriers people with Down syndrome face when trying to get a job in open employment. Covers the four components of the campaign - work readiness, an employment connection service, an awareness campaign and employment ambassadors. Supporting our family member to find meaningful employment

Looks at some of the reasons employment is important to people with Down syndrome, the questions parents might have and how parents can support their family member to get work.

A hotel with heart

The three trainees share what it is like to take part in the training programme at Hotel Etico, Australia’s first social enterprise hotel.

If you are interested in any of these items or would like to know what else they have please contact the library team (Phil, Ros and Michael) on 0800 442 442, email them at librarian@ihc.org.nz or visit the online catalogue at https://ihc.mykoha. co.nz/

You can watch their library video at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AunmBYTIZTM

Kim Porthouse President 0800 693 724 president@nzdsa.org.nz

Gwen Matchitt Vice President

Zone 2 Representative Waikato, BOP & Taranaki 0800 693 724 zone2@nzdsa.org.nz

Angelique van der Velden

Zone 5 Representative Ashburton & all areas above 0800 693 724 zone5@nzdsa.org.nz

Bev Smith

Zone 1 Representative Northland 0800 693 724 northland@nzdsa.org.nz

Zone 3 Representative Whanganui, Manawatū, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay 0800 693 724 zone3@nzdsa.org.nz

Glen Jelley Zone 6 Representative All areas below Ashburton 0800 693 724 zone6@nzdsa.org.nz

Maia Faulkner

Zone 1 Representative

Auckland 0800 693 724 auckland@nzdsa.org.nz

Carey-Ann Morrison

Zone 4 Representative Wellington & Wairarapa 0800 693 724 zone4@nzdsa.org.nz

Averill Glew Self-Advocacy Portfolio averill@nzdsa.org.nz

Zandra Vaccarino National Executive Officer 0800 693 724 neo@nzdsa.org.nz

Linda te Kaat National Administrator 0800 693 724 na@nzdsa.org.nz

Shelley Waters Treasurer treasurer@nzdsa.org.nz

Daniel te Kaat Graphic Designer 021 22 333 93 daniel@slaughterhaus.co.nz

Jess Waters Social Media & Information Officer hello@nzdsa.org.nz

Sarah Paterson-Hamlin CHAT21 Editor editor@nzdsa.org.nz

Paula Beguely Auckland Community Liaison Officer 0800 693 724 clo@adsa.org.nz

Pauline Marshall Canterbury Community Liaison Officer 0800 693 724 cdsainc@gmail.com

Grace Perry Administration Support Officer grace@nzdsa.org.nz

Kathryn Sadgrove Northland Coordinator 0800 693 724 ksadgrove@xtra.co.nz

NZDSA Socials

The NZDSA has a Facebook page that serves as a community forum and notice board for relevant issues, events and stories. facebook.com/NZDSA

Follow us on Instagram to see what our communities are up to at nz_down_syndrome

Check out the NZDSA’s website at nzdsa.org.nz

Sandra Slattery Taranaki Community Liaison Officer 0800 693 724 taranakidownsyndrome@gmail.com

NZDSA Membership

Membership is now done online. For all details please go to www.nzdsa.org.nz or for any queries please ring 0800 693 724. If you have not received an email to update your membership online please call the number above.

Donations

The NZDSA receives no Government funding and relies solely on donations and grant applications to keep us running. If you can make a donation big or small, please go to www.nzdsa.org.nz or ring 0800 693 724.

NZDSA Committee

NZDSA Staff Regional Liaison Officers

Share your employment stories

The NZDSA is asking people with Down syndrome and their employers to share their employment story. We have a range of ways of contributing to this resource.

• If you live in Auckland we are calling for people to participate in a video production.

• If you want to share your story but would prefer not to be on camera then just send us a written story.

• Film a short video of you at work answering the following questions:

For people with Down syndrome:

• Tell us about your job.

• Tell us about the things that you do at work.

• What are the favourite parts of your job?

• What does having a job mean to you?

For employers:

• Can you tell us a bit about your company?

• What does inclusion mean to you in your workplace?

• Can you tell us about some of the positive aspects of having someone with Down syndrome as part of your team?

Please also make sure your video is no longer than two minutes and is filmed in a landscape format. We would like to share these stories with our network to raise awareness. This may include online via our website and social media, so please make sure that anyone included in the videos is comfortable with this.

Please contact Zandra neo@nzdsa.org.nz before the 31st March to indicate your expression of interest in participating in a video or sending in your written or video contribution.

Numicon Kits

We still have Numicon kits available if you are interested in loaning one for the school year. Numicon is a multi-sensory, structured maths programme. If you would like to know more about Numicon the website is http://www.numicon.co.nz/

• The NZDSA has 16 kits to loan to NZDSA members.

• These kits can be used at home or school.

• The loan period is from February/March to the end of November.

• The NZDSA does require you to pay a refundable bond of $60.00.

• The NZDSA will reimburse you the $60.00 bond if the kits are returned clean and complete.

• The only cost to you is the courier and handling fee which is $30.00 and the cost of returning the kit to the NZDSA.

If you would like to borrow a kit please contact Linda te Kaat at na@nzdsa.org.nz or 0800 693 724

Tell us your story!

We are looking for adults with Down syndrome to tell their life stories! We will either publish these stories in a book or include them in CHAT21 or on the NZDSA’s website. We will be looking at different aspects of life stories, for example education, work, friends, love, leisure time, spirituality, inclusion, and dreams for the future. If you are interested in being part of this project, please contact Zandra at neo@nzdsa.org.nz and we will send you a list of questions that you could have a look at. We will organise a Zoom meeting where you can tell us your life story. You are welcome to bring a support buddy or whānau member to this Zoom session. Hope to hear from you soon!

Calling for nominations for the 2023 Youth Development Camp

24th -26th November 2023 at Vaughan Park Retreat Centre, Long Bay, Auckland. Please note spaces are limited, so apply early! Applicants must be 18 or older to attend the Youth Development Camp.

Priority will be given to applicants who are existing Full NZDSA members.

Closing date 12th May 2023.

Please email Zandra neo@nzdsa.org.nz for more information and to register your interest.

Thanks

Thanks to the following funders and sponsors who have made donations to the NZDSA this financial year:

• Lottery Grants Board

• COGS: Christchurch

• COGS: Rodney/North Shore

• COGS: Hamilton

• COGS: Auckland City

• COGS: Coastal Otago

• COGS: Manukau

• COGS: Waitakere City

• COGS Southland

• COGS Manawatū/Horowhenua

• Holdsworth Charitable Trust

• Eastern & Central Community Trust

• Te Whatu Ora — Health NZ

• Ministry of Social Development

• Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust

• Pub Charity

• Rata Foundation

• T G Macarthy Trust

• Lion Foundation

• Grassroots Trust

• Southern Stars

• Lindsay Foundation

Summer Fun!

Left top: Cleo Kiyimba enjoying a yummy summer treat

Right top: Joseph manning the wheel

Centre: Caleb Hall playing guitar with his friend

Bottom: Leo’s first camping trip, Quinnies Bush near Nelson