What Ever It Takes |

Monday the 14th of November saw the opening of Waimarie Whare in West Aucklands lovely Babich Vineyards area.  The whare is a partnership between What Ever it Takes Trust and Housing New Zealand and is a “House of Hope” for whanau affected by Serious Injury resulting in complex disability.  Waimarie offers whanau an alternative to residential living where they can be fully involved in the care, support and rehabilitation of their loved one.  This includes the ability to be able to “stay together” as a whanau.  Often whanau are forced into seperation due to the logistics of caring for someone with complex disability or whanau are unable to cope with the special care and 24/7 support that is required.   Waimarie provides a solution for whanau to still be able to come together supported by an individual package of care in an environment that supports a values driven model of care.

The opening was attended by the Hon Minister Tariana Turia, Minister of Disability Issues, Buck Shelford (Patron of What Ever it Takes Trust) and Kaumatua Denis Hansen.  It was a very emotionally charged day - that provided the space for whanau to have their korero about their journey and living with disability.

Thanks to Leah and Scott Donaldson from “An Eye for Art” and their tino ataahua art pieces, Huia Lloyd our amazing media liaison person, Doug and Gayla Andrews for the use of their Multi Kai Cooker for the hangi, John Small from Pak n Sav in Lincoln Road, Henderson for the donation of food, Wendyl Nissan the true GreenGoddess for the homemade detergents, the Ranui Tongan Baptist Church for the use of their tables and chairs, Papa Denis Hansen, WEITs kaumatua and all those who attended to support the lovely day.

Nga mihi nui ki a koutou.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1111/S00282/turia-speech-opening-of-waimarie-whare-a-house-of-hope.htm

This collection of beautiful heartwarming images by Terry Winn began during an outing when the well known New Zealand photographer observed an elderly couple enjoying a picnic in the sun. The wife’s attentive support for her disabled husband made Terry wonder about other carers: how many are there, what are their lives like? Soon Terry made contact with Carers NZ, and the Caring Moments project was conceived to capture carers and their loved ones going about their everyday lives. Terry and his wife Vicky travelled across the country over several years to create this historic collection, which will tour New Zealand during 2011, then provide hope to carers and those they support as a permanent loan to a coalition of public hospitals.

CARING MOMENTS WILL FEATURE AT:23 - 29 May | Aotea Centre, Auckland01 - 26 June | Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland04 - 12 July | Academy of Fine Arts, Wellington 

Nightline on Television 3 also featured a piece about the exhibition on Wednesday the 6th of July.

Mauri ora

http://www.3news.co.nz/Photographer-drumming-up-support-for-disabled-carers/tabid/309/articleID/217833/Default.aspx

Journalist Chris Barton from the NZ Weekend Herald wrote an article around the abuse and consequent battle that whanau with disability can be subjected to.  It’s often a story we hear far too frequent unfortunately and so the article was written to encourage people to come forward if they’ve been abused.  It also explores some of the reasons why whanau don’t come forward and provides some advice around what to do if you do suspect some form of abuse.

 Nga mihi

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10734435

What Ever It Takes E-Newsletter - what’s going on in the world of whanau and disability.  Just a snapshot!

http://whateverittakes.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/y/95F458ABE4F92E53

Monday the 23rd of May saw the launch of the “We Care” Campaign.  It has been launched by Carers NZ and the NZ Carers Alliance of 40+ national not for profits to increase recognition for our country’s family, whanau, and aiga carers. The campaign is asking all Kiwis to learn about carers. 

The need to provide care for an ill, seriously injured, frail elderly, or disabled family member or friend can happen overnight, or develop gradually. Caring can be for a short time, or for a lifetime. We can all expect to give or receive family care during our lives.

Caring can be very rewarding, but it can also be all-consuming, requiring considerable personal sacrifice. Most carers happily provide this support without expectation of financial reward or recognition. They give a lot, and ask for little. 

But Carers NZ and the NZ Carers Alliance of more than 40 national not-for-profits worry about carers. 

• Almost 40% of carers are injured in their role. 
• 45% have health and disability needs of their own.  
• More than 26% of carers support more than one person.
• More than 40% care 24/7.
• Two thirds experience depression.
• A high number feel they need to give up paid employment to care when the juggle becomes too much.
• Census 2006 found that more than 8% of 15 to 24 year olds are carers.
• Our country has no idea how many children under the age of 15 are caring.
• For older people, caring is an independent mortality risk.

Support for our country’s 420,000+ carers.

Caring is a precious role that truly deserves public praise, greater visibility, and respectful support by society and government. We Care! aims to raise awareness of New Zealand’s family, whanau, and aiga carers … and to call for thoughtful decision-making so carers can get the help they have repeatedly asked for in government consultations.

Like most countries, New Zealand’s population is ageing. We are living longer, at home and with higher support needs than past generations. Our small country’s health and social welfare systems can’t afford to fund the 24/7 support many New Zealanders with health and disability needs will require to ‘age in place’. More than ever before, New Zealand is relying on its family carers.

Ask for help.

If you are a carer, or know a carer, please request a free infopack … there may be government and other help you don’t know about. Phone (0800) 777 797 or email info@carers.net.nz Bulk infopacks are available for groups and organisations; please get in touch to help carers in your networks!

For more information on the We Care Campaign you can visit their website www.wecare.org.nz

Big shout out to Karl Te Nana our Community and Events Manager for the part he played in the classic all blacks match at Ballymore in Brisbane on Thursday night (10 March).  Apparently by all accounts he played an awesome game and they raised about $450,000 and the funds are still coming in!!! 

Final score - 52 /20  to the Classic All Blacks

 Ka pai!

Kia ora Whanau

 We have shifted offices and are now located in New Lynn.  Our new address is:

4/3091 Great North Road, New Lynn

Our phone numbers have also changed.  The new landline is:

09 826-8249

The o800 whatever number remains the same.

Kia ora koutou

What Ever it Takes is currently expanding our services into the Wairarapa, Manawatu and Waikato regions.  We are really excited about working alongside whanau in these area’s. 

 We have also been invited to participate in some research projects, present at a number of conferences and we are looking forward to the opening of our new Kaupapa Maori Home Based Rehabilitation and Support Residential project.

Watch this space!

An article in the Samoa Times about Peter and Charmeyne Williams

http://www.samoatimes.co.nz/2010/11/28/o-aso-o-lou-olaga-e-puupuu-ma-saasaa/

Story about Peter Williams and his inspirational journey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5kx-ZgAcj0&feature=share