Down Write Brilliant

The lucky few

By Dan Tucker

Dan and his families tattoos

Dan Tucker has congenital heart condition and his heart stopped earlier this year.

Hi my name is Dan. I am 25 years old. On 18 January this year, I died for the first time. I gave my family a very big scare. While I was still in hospital one of my sisters asked Mum if she would get the Lucky Few Tattoo. She also asked my other sister. When they decided to go and get one done after I was out of hospital, I asked if I could have one too. So we all went together and got them done. I was very brave and it didn’t hurt too much. Getting the tattoo is my greatest thing ever because other people need to believe in themselves. The three chevrons mean love heart and soul. I have a loving mother and family who do care about me.

Peter outside Pomeroy's

Working at the pub

By Andrew Oswin

Hard at work!

Chat 21’s roving reporter Andrew Oswin interviewed Peter Rees, a young man with Down syndrome from Christchurch, about his job.

What is it you like doing at your job at Pomeroy’s? Serving out the food and the drinks to the customers.

When did you start working at Pomeroy’s? Ever since before the earthquakes.

Where is Pomeroy’s? Pomeroy’s is located on the corner of Kilmore Street and Fitzgerald Avenue.

Why is it important for people with Down syndrome to get paid work? It is very important because it is a major part of someone’s life.

How did you get the job at Pomeroy’s? Well it’s a very funny story, actually. One day, Dad and I went to the pub and had a few drinks. But the beer that I had was very strong. It was called Epic Armageddon, and I got a bit drunk, and I walked up to the owner of the pub and I asked for a job and I got the job.

My job

By Abigail Knight

This year in April, I started my very first paid job at PHD Media, which is a large advertising company for TV, Radio and Internet and is located in Mount Eden. I was asked to come in for an interview and I remember feeling quite confident meeting my employer as they were very friendly people. Mel from PolyEmp accompanied me to my interview and helped me with all the paper work. I was so excited to be starting work in my dream job. My position is an Office Assistant working for 4 hours, from 8:30am to 12:30pm, Monday to Friday, with lots of jobs to do. Every morning, I sort out the morning mail, restock the snack cupboard and the tea, coffee and milk in the kitchen and tidy it up. As well as that I tidy the stationary room, IT cupboard and the meeting rooms. I also help out with Reception, refilling printer paper and putting away Countdown and stationary

Down Write Brilliant Abigail (centre) with two of her colleagues, Mamie Hazeldine (left) and Dee Chapman (right).

orders (my favourite job) and I water the plants every Friday. The PR team also call on me when some extra help is needed. One of my important jobs is making the appointments for the staff massages which we are very lucky to get at our work. When I finish work on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, I walk to the Medi Strength Gym to do my exercises. It is really convenient for me because it is right next to my work. Mum takes me to work in the mornings, on her way to work. After work I catch a train to New Market and then a bus to get home. I like the jobs that I do and it’s the type of work environment I like working in. My colleagues I work with are very helpful and they always tell me I do an amazing job of keeping everything tidy and getting my tasks done. When I first started my job, I had a list of tasks that I had to work through. Now I don’t need the list of tasks, because I know what my jobs are and I get them done quickly, so I can add more jobs.

I feel like I have a new work family.

Andrew receives Certificate of Membership

By Andrew Oswin

Early this year I received a Certificate of Membership from the DSI (Down Syndrome International) which made me feel very happy and proud. It had been a great surprise for me that it got posted through Royal Mail. It is a United Kingdom-based international charity that comprises a membership for individuals and organisations who are from 136 countries to committ to improve the quality of life for citizens with Down syndrome globally to promote their right to be acknowledged and inclusive as valued and equal members of their communities. At one of the STRIVE funshops I attended, I got asked to take the opportunity to represent New Zealand, for people with Down syndrome to participate in a online forum for the Down Syndrome International and I said, “Yes that will be a great opportunity for me to represent my country,”. I contribute a lot and we get to discuss issues that affect other people from across the world such as having access to healthcare, going to school, finding a job and how we live in society. We acknowledge each other by saying, “Happy World Down Syndrome Day,” on 21st March every year. Being involved with the DSI makes me feel that having a world with Down syndrome tells us how important and special we are today in this generation.