Monthly Archive for March, 2005

March 2005 – Tracey Richardson

Published by Tracey Richardson on March 20, 2005 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments

If I was only allowed one word to describe March for Breath4CF I would struggle. So I have made my own one up. AbsolutelyMindBlowinglyPhenomenal. J

Ironman 2005 was definitely a year to remember but first some history.

I watched this incredible event in March 2003 and decided to enter it myself and to use my own participation as a way of fundraising and awareness raising for CF. I had no idea where that would take me.

By March 2004 Cystic Fibrosis had been named the Official Charity for the event (the first time in the 20 year history of the race that any charity had been involved). We held the inaugural Breath4CF campaign – encouraging athletes to partner with kids with CF and to use their own participation to fundraise. All money raised would seed the Breath4CF fund. This would support people with CF to stay healthier for longer by assisting them financially to participate in exercise and sport. In 2004 we raised $120,000. An amount we thought unsurpassable.

This year I wasn’t personally doing the race, but the goals had been set, the hard work had been done and now it was time to see if the campaign could be repeated.

It was – a HUGE success for us, not just financially but in terms of the number of lives it touched. A record number of CF families attended the event to be part of the remarkable day, a record number of athletes were actively involved, and we had unprecedented support from the general public and Taupo community. Plus we raised just over NZ$201,000! Simply an incredible amount of money and I was totally stunned at the end result. It will go such a long way to help make Breath4CF a financially sustainable grant fund.

Already we have children with CF around the country excited and starting to ask Breath4CF what sports they can do this year. This wasn’t even imaginable 2 years ago, when we had a membership of young people who just focussed on their limitations rather than their possibilities. The flow on effect of Ironman’s legacy to Breath4CF is quite simply stunning and life changing.

Why do I do this – work endless and horrendous hours, beg, borrow and twist arms for people to become involved? Let me leave you with some words from one of the 8 year old CF girls who came to the event for the first time, this will explain why. “I didn’t want to leave Taupo and I didn’t want Ironman to stop. I still get excited when I think of Ironman”.

What more could I ask for!

Next up? – London in April for the London Marathon – Watch this space…

March 2005 – Stephen Denekamp

Published by Stephen Denekamp on March 20, 2005 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments

This month there have been several workshops in high schools as well as a few others. We did a workshop at another Peer Sexuality Support (PSSP) Hui and I really enjoyed delivering a workshop to health teachers through the Family Planning Association’s ‘Getting Started’ training. It’s important that staff are aware of the issues affecting young queer people as, in general, the school system misses these students.

Which leads me on to a learning topic, the phrase; “That’s so gay”. It’s a phrase every NZ student has heard, but it’s no good! People defend it by saying that they are not talking about anyone who is gay; they are simply using it as a word to mean something is stupid/silly/wrong. But how would I feel if someone said, “That’s so Stephen!” Using a word that identifies me, but with negative connotations. It can be very hurtful to a young gay student, and if all of their friends are using the phrase then it adds to the idea the topic is not something that can really be talked about or as one student put it to me once, “Accidental discrimination”. So I challenge everyone to not use that phrase and to challenge others that do.

School holidays begin next week, which means there are several new projects to get on with. I’m currently planning for the variety of workshops Rainbow Youth delivers as well as writing a newsletter that will be going out to schools. There is always more work to do at Rainbow Youth, it never seems to stop!

Earlier this month we held a BBQ at Coyle Park for all our members and friends. It was a good opportunity for members from our different groups to mix and meet new friends and I delighted to meet our local Diversity Liaison Officer from the police.

Coming up soon is the Rainbow Youth AGM. This is when some board members move on and new ones are elected. It keeps the organisation fresh, and there’s always an interesting mix of people. For those who don’t know, Rainbow Youth is run by a board of eight young people (27years and under) and three adult advisors. Everyone is a volunteer and all give a lot of time to the organisation. Any member of Rainbow Youth is eligible to run for the executive board, so if you are interested check out the website towards the end of the month as more details become available.

That’s all for now. Meantime remember to challenge the use of, “That’s so gay” phrase. It may have more of an impact than you think.

“The universe puts is in places where we can learn. They are never easy places, but they are right. Wherever we are, it is the right place and the right time. The pain that sometimes comes, is part of the process of constantly being born” – Delenn, Babylon 5

March 2005 – Ricky Houghton

Published by Ricky Houghton on March 20, 2005 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments

There are more than 2,500 HA of potential cropping soils on Maori land titles within the Far North, out of a total of 29,000HA of cropping soils. Because of distance from markets and processing plants opportunities for making full use of this land is limited.

Last month we loosely formed a cluster group of interested isolated rural landowners drawn together by a shared vision of self sustainability This group collectively have 200 acres of land ready to undertake any cropping, horticultural or agricultural opportunity this year.

This type of collaboration has a range of benefits eg it promotes buy in and real meaningful ownership of any opportunity by landowners, in particular those considered hard to reach because they have a range of social issues that seem to take a priority over sustainable development. The cluster group is made up of a broad spectrum of people eg successful landowners who wish to diversify, and those landowners just starting out and looking for some type of coach or mentor, so that they are able to build confidence. Most importantly landowners within the cluster group are able to transfer skills, knowledge, ideas and resources.

Obvious outcomes include improved quality of life, employment and self sustainability as landowners move from state dependence to independence. An intangible but important dividend is the enhanced ability to see possibilities, increased hope and self esteem. This month the cluster group went on a study tour at the invitation of Deltaproduce a kumara pack-house in the kumara capital Dargaville, which distributes produce both nationally and around the world. We were amazed to learn their exports had increased almost 4000% over the past 3 years.

There are 29 affiliated growers to Deltaproduce, however due to their massive growth they are now looking beyond the district for available contract growers. To better assist us we were offered shares in the company which could be financed over three years and deducted off our income over the same period, seed to kick start any project, Research technical advice & support including specialist machinery, plus they would purchase everything that we are able to grow. WOW!!!

Originally there were basically only two grades of Kumara, Export for overseas markets, premium grade for local market and the balance (about 40%) was fed to the pigs. They have invested significant funds researching ways of utilizing this portion of the crop and have come up with hash browns and crispy gourmet kumara chips. These days the pigs get less than 1%! Hopefully we will be grower number 30.

Kia Ora Vodafone NZ Foundation, your assistance is not only making the world of difference but improving the quality of life for many families in the Far North.

March 2005 – Joanne Thorne

Published by Joanne Thorne on March 20, 2005 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments

Early on in March I hit the road and headed north to Warrenheip, a 16hectare restored valley owned by David Wallace and Juliette Chamberlain. This is where the Xcluder Pest Proof Fencing Company is based and trials for the very first fences were held on the property. In 1999 a 2.4km Xcluder fence was constructed around Warrenheip and pest were eliminated over the following years. Today, it is used as a kiwi creche for BNZ Operation Nest Egg (ONE) chicks. At the time of my visit there were 16 kiwi chicks in the reserve and it was fantastic to walk through a patch of bush that has been returned to its natural, pest free state. I had plenty of opportunity to quiz Juliette and David about their experiences with the chick creche and was able to gain some valuable information.

In mid March a sponsor’s day was held at Bushy Park that gave major sponsors of the fence a chance to view progress. It was a successful afternoon that gave us the opportunity to meet some of our generous supporters, answer their questions and show off the fence.

The week before Easter I attended my first Kiwi Hui, held over three days in the Coromandel. The Hui is an annual meeting of people involved in kiwi conservation all over New Zealand. Presentations covered a range of topics including kiwi health, predator control, funding, research and monitoring techniques. It was incredible to meet so many dedicated and knowledgeable people and I look forward to next years Hui!

I also met Shazza, a North Island brown kiwi that had to have her left leg amputated after getting it caught in a gin trap. Shazza has found a home at the Bird Rescue Wanganui – Manawatu Trust run by Dawne Morton, and there are hopes that she will become part of the captive breeding programme for North Island brown kiwi in the future.

Over the last 2 years, Dawne has received 4 rescued kiwi – of these 3 have been involved in gin trap accidents. Gin traps are still used by some possum trappers today and when set on the ground they are a real risk to kiwi. This added threat is one that could be reduced with the use of more ‘kiwi friendly’ trapping techniques.

Investigation into new sites to begin an ONE programme continues and it looks like we are getting close to a solution that could really benefit kiwi recovery in the central North Island. I hope to have something formalized by May – these things take time!

March 2005 – Diana Hickey

Published by Diana Hickey on March 20, 2005 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments

Well… The year continues to whiz by and life at CHOC (The Children’s Haematology and Oncology Centre) is a bitter-sweetness of challenge and insight. As I’ve been here a couple of months now I’m becoming more established in the other wards too which has been another huge learning curve. Young people with Crohns Disease, Cystic Fibrosis and other chronic illness have taken up most of my time in these wards. Tracey Richardson… I need your expertise and knowledge with C.F. Kids! I’ve also seen kids who have experienced trauma for various reasons and am constantly amazed by young people’s resilience despite sometimes very challenging circumstances.

In early March, I held an informal lunch time presentation for the allied health professionals for paediatrics which went well. This gave me a chance to give a comprehensive talk on the role of art therapy in the hospital to the social workers, occupational therapists and the hospital school teacher, the play specialists and physiotherapists, dieticians and outreach nurses.

Later in the month, the speech and language therapists got to have an exclusive…Every time I get to explain my role, the questions and feedback are really valuable. With these guys on the team the job becomes so much easier to do! With Christchurch being a teaching hospital there have also been several opportunities to present to the consultants and registrars. This is great practice as I’m presenting at “Through the Maze”, The Child Cancer Foundations annual conference for families and health professionals caring for young people and children with cancer in June. By then, I hope to give a really clear idea of how things work around here from an art therapy perspective!

Towards the end of the month Philip Darbyshire gave a seminar on “Making Practice Focused Research Happen” which was hilarious (and informative)….the man definitely deserves the title of the Billy Connolly of the research seminar circuit! I can safely say that everyone left the room at the end of the day dizzy with inspiration and consoled by the fact that the thought of research did not have to bear resemblance to “the thought of an enema straight from the fridge”!! With my research time dissolving in the face of more urgent need on the wards I need all the encouragement I can get!

On that note, I finally received the all important go ahead from the Canterbury Ethics committee to continue the research into the benefits of art therapy among young people who have cancer. The consent forms are being readied and I hope that I’ll be able to expand the participants over the next few weeks.

The Child Cancer Foundation has its annual appeal on at present… Lexi Primrose is a young and beautiful survivor of cancer who dances for joy on the TV ad and heads a very worthy fundraising campaign. In keeping with her passion for dance the Child Cancer Foundation have adopted her pink tutu as a “uniform” of dress for their collectors… but the collectors weren’t the only ones to don the dress…. And Jim Barclay C.E.O. for C.C.F proved that by stepping into the role with gusto.

Finally this month, I would like to pay my respects to a young friend of mine, a princess of purple and pink, who passed away peacefully after a long and brave effort. She will be missed by many both young and old from north south east and west. Thank you, for your light, faith and creative spirit.

March 2005 – Debbie Fewtrell

Published by Dr. Debbie Fewtrell on March 20, 2005 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments

Wow what a start to what promises to be a very exciting and rewarding year.

Introducing biomedical protocols to NZ for the treatment of autistic children is my mission and I’ve been catapulted into the midst of it by a new exciting initiative.

In the last few weeks it’s been confirmed that the Pfeiffer Research Centre based in Chicago will be running their first clinical workshop outside of the USA in Sydney this April. Australasian patients will be seen and Australasian doctors can sit in and experience the Pfeiffer approach. And it’s all thanks to the supreme negotiation and organisational skills of the grandmother of autistic twins.

Pfeiffer lead the field in the area of metal metabolism disorders and have already seen 3000 autistics.  With this announcement we have only had a few weeks to organise the logistics of getting 10 lucky children over to Australia with their families not to mention all the necessary testing that needs to be done in advance!  Coordinating the requests of the Pfeiffer doctors in the Australian and NZ labs has been a bit of a nightmare. Hair tests have been sent to America, and some blood tests were taken in NZ. However the biggest challenge of all was the specialised blood and urine tests which needed to be delivered to Queensland, frozen and within 24hours. “Impossible to achieve” we were told by the lab director, but where there’s a will there’s a way! After numerous phone calls to Air NZ and customs, the final solution was to send a runner on a  flight  carrying an ice box of samples with a  letter for customs  hoping they would allow it through! Thanks to Tip Top for helping us out with the dry ice we needed.

Amazingly we made it – the clinic/training starts on April 4th.

With all this activity, the agenda for the month has been completely rewritten, but I’ve managed to achieve a lot of the laboratory based logistics well ahead of schedule.

It will be exciting to report back next month on the success of the Sydney clinic and conference. Ten NZ children will have accessed specialised help without the drama and cost of flying to the States. In addition more knowledge to help treat ASD kids will be taught to the 7 Australasian doctors  in attendance . That’s a huge step forward and I’m thrilled and privileged to be part of it.