My Account
A new social support group for people with disabilities and those caring for them will kick off with a free workshop in Snells Beach on Thursday, June 21.
The idea for the group comes from Ursula Christel who recently moved to Warkworth. Her 22-year-old son, Andrew Cranmer, has a rare condition known as Angelman syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual, speech, balance and sleep problems.
Ursula says Warkworth has no local support centre for disability services and it would be great for those with disabilities and their carers to be able to get together informally on a regular basis to meet others, make new friends in the community and share experiences.
She anticipates the group will also provide relevant, practical workshops and speakers.
Ursula is especially concerned about caregivers and those with disabilities remaining isolated and being unaware of the funding and support they are entitled to.
“One in four New Zealanders identify as disabled in some way, yet many find it very difficult to keep up with the ongoing changes around funding allocations and rules,” she says.
She says while some can gather information via the internet and on social media, this is not necessarily accessible nor ideal for everyone.
Ursula is the full-time caregiver for her son and accesses funding to employ staff to support him at home and in the community.
The free workshop to launch the group will be held at Create Campus, 20 Goodall Road, Snells Beach, from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
The theme will be Enabling Good Lives – System Transformation, and will provide current information about new ways funding systems operate. Lunch will be provided.
To register for the workshop, phone Maureen 0508 726 769, text 027 414 5267 or email samsno@actrix.co.nz.
