John McIntosh was born with scoliosis – or curvature of the spine – although John’s never let his disability slow him down. But, he admits, as he gets older his disability is having a bigger impact on daily life.
8 July 2019 – Robert Mullen of Hamilton is a music teacher with a gift which sets him apart from other musicians. He knows how to bring out the best in students with learning or intellectual disabilities so much so that many of his protegés have arguably become better than their master. He has helped…
Do you provide care to someone who needs help with day-to-day living? The Ministry of Social Development would like to hear from you.
Smoke alarms are essential for home safety but, for the one in six New Zealanders who live with a hearing loss, there’s a risk they cannot hear ordinary smoke alarms. That’s why it’s not only important to check that smoke alarms are working, it’s also important to ensure you can hear them as well, says…
According to the New Zealand Stroke Foundation, over 9000 kiwis experience a stroke each year – that’s 24 people every day. Strokes often occur without warning, and the impacts can last a lifetime. A stroke is caused by a sudden interruption of blood flow to part of the brain, and can commonly result in hemiparesis…
After 30 happy, satisfying, years of teaching Lindsay Harvey of Tauranga called it a day at the end of her 65th year. But she wasn’t about to age gracefully. Retirement from the classroom meant it was time for me to move on to other activities and I had the “4 Ts” embedded in my mind.…
A passion for the disability sector coupled with 32 years’ experience in the field means the appointment of Tinihua Nassar to the role of information advisor at Life Unlimited Charitable Trust has opened up many opportunities for the community, says Life Unlimited Community manager April Johnson. Tinihua started in the role in May and has…
A community-based programme run by Life Unlimited in Hamilton seems to be ticking all the right boxes for its participants, says Idea Services team leader Sarah Edworthy. Life Fit is a fitness, exercise and health programme open to anyone but which also supports people aged 15 plus who have an intellectual disability and/or mental illness.…
Toni Naera is what you would call Te Awamutu to the core.
So, when she was recently reappointed as a Life Unlimited hearing therapist, one of the first places she immediately thought she could make a difference in, was her own home town.
Waiata sessions at Kirikiroa Marae in Hamilton, held as part of Life Unlimited’s Ngā Mara Ātea programme, are building participants’ confidence in themselves and each other, says team leader Deborah Baird. Many people come from across the Waikato take part in the training run in partnership with Enrich Plus, who play and provide the music,…