Information Update 11/12/13 NorthAble receives information from our many networks which we disseminate through this Update. Feel free to share this or to contact us for further information on anything mentioned - or use the details below to contact directly.
Events – Seminars – Courses – Meetings
Growing up with Autism Course (Whangarei). Starts 11 Feb 2014. Contact or call 09 529-8713 for more information on this course. You may also
Engage summer dance workshops. Engage is a series of dance workshops which will involve a variety of different aspects, from muscle and bone fitness training, learning different dance phrases, to collaborating with one another and devising one‟s own choreography, which will ultimately lead to a final performance to conclude the programme. There will also be games, more dancing, food and a lot of fun. It will be an awesome experience for any young person between the ages 13-18, of any dance experience/ability, who has a willing attitude to give things a go, and most of all is keen to dance. Programme runs Tues-Thur, 10am-2.30pm each week from 7 - 30 January 2014. Contact or call 021155-6540 for more information. Situations Vacant Office for Disability Issues (Ministry of Social Development). We are recruiting for Advisors/Senior Advisors for the Office for Disability Issues. There is a short time frame due to the holidays approaching. However if we do not get suitable candidates we will advertise again in the new year and give a longer period for people to apply. If you want to discuss the vacancies further you are welcome to phone Matt Brown, Human Resources, phone 04 916 3436.
Newspaper Articles Fire forces resthome to be evacuated. Northern Advocate, 5 December 2013, p. 3. The 16 residents of a Kaeo resthome had to be evacuated at 3am yesterday after a switchboard caught fire and filled the building with smoke. Going to the Special Olympics. Whangarei Leader, 19 November 2013, p. 4. Special Olympics athletes are looking forward to the 8th National Summer Games in Dunedin next week. A team of 31 athletes and 14 supporters from Whangarei leave for Dunedin next Tuesday… RNZFB thanks. The Whangarei Report, 21 November 2013, p. 3. The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) would like to thank Whangarei residents for their donations during Blind Week. In the end I’m just trying to do a decent job. Northern Advocate, 7 December 2013, p. 18. I have been told I‟m “greedy” and I should “give it a break”, and that I should “give someone else a turn” recently. They are all comments taken out of context and were in relation to my surprise success at the 2013 Sir Terry McLean National Sports Journalism Awards. It probably didn‟t help that at that time I was in South Africa competing as part of the NZ wheelchair rugby team… National recognition for disability advocate. Northern Advocate, 6 December 2013, p. 4. The people of Whangarei have known for a long time that disability advocate Vanessa McGoldrick is a hero – and now she‟s gained national recognition. Saddled up for success. The Whangarei Report, 28 November 2013, front page. Two young Whangarei riders are competing for the first time at the Special Olympics National Summer Games. A full and productive life defied tragic accident. Northern Advocate, 3 December 2013, p. 4. Doug Sands‟ life was defined by a tragic accident, however he did not let his physical disabilities define the way he lived. Mother burgles home while baby left in car. Northern Advocate, 10 December 2013, p. 7. A Whangarei mother and a deaf male teenager broke into and stole items from a house while the woman‟s 6-month-old baby sat in the car. Call to extend free health care. Northern Advocate, 10 December 2013, p. 7. A Northland health expert is calling for free primary health care to be extended to the age of 18 after the release of a report noting 270,000 children are living in poverty without adequate income or housing. Other Information of Interest Office for Disability Issues: Email Newsletter - 3 December 2013. Disability Assist Dog Identification Tag to be launched. The Disability Assist Dog Identification Tag was being launched today on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This identification tag will provide easier recognition of and access for Disability Assist Dogs in an emergency, and help reunite the dog and owner/handler if they become separated. The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management has partnered with the Disability Assist Dog certifying organisations, other non- government and government agencies to develop the tag. Read more on this update here:
Whangarei Myalgic Encephalopathy Information Service Support Group Newsletter: MEISSAGE (December 2013). Oxidative Stress. In 2011 the result of a UK study showed that ME/CFS was characterised by increased oxidative stress. Our bodies are constantly reacting to oxygen – breathing and helping cells to produce energy. Free radicals are produced as a result. These can be dangerous when reacting, for instance, with DNA. Production of free radicals can also be triggered by pollution, sunlight and smoking. To prevent damage by free radicals, antioxidants are required. Contacfor a copy of this newsletter. NGO Health and Disability Network Council Chair’s Update – December 2013. Consultation and submission opportunities. The Human Rights Amendment Bill seeks to establish a full-time Disability Rights Commissioner within the Human Rights Commission, and make changes to the role and structure of the commission. Submissions are due by 19 December 2013. You can read the Bill at
or call 03 260-0893. In the Know: Ratonga Whakataunga Tomua. A guide to health, education and disability services for parents, caregivers and whanau of young children in Northland. Information booklet
produced by CCS Disability Action to give parents of disabled young ones (particularly under 8 year olds) information on what to do, where to go and how to address certain challenges along the path that feels right for you and your family so that the magical moments being a parent brings
for your FREE copy. Manaia Health PHO Newsletter (December 2013). CEO Message [Chris Farrelly]. During the year, the Government increased the cost of collecting medicine at a Pharmacy from $3 to $5 per script. This seemingly small increase has had a huge impact on some of our highest need people and we have seen a large increase in requests for emergency assistance for the cost of scripts and in the numbers of unclaimed scripts sitting in Pharmacies. Contact 09 438 1015 for a copy of this newslet. Cutting Edge Research: Pathways to Improved Outcomes. Evidence that increased Acetaminophen [paracetamol] use in genetically vulnerable children appears to be a major cause of the epidemics of Autism, Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity, and Asthma. Article from the publication
or call Peter Visser on 09 408-1380 for a copy of this article. Whangarei Stroke Club (December 2013). Open Letter: Whangarei Stroke Club – What is the future? I [Allan Lather] am a fanatic about The Order of Rules and Regulations, they are there for orderly procedure of meetings, a chance to everyone to speak and be heard without interruption and resolution of items of interest. So it was a shock to me the way the last committee evolved into an unruly babble of members, talking over others, instead of structured discussion with clear decisions… Contacor call 09 946-0658 for a copy of this newsletter.
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You have been asked to consider the use of an epidural steroid injection as part of the conservative management of your sciatic pain. Please read the following information carefully Although there is still some controversy over the place of epidural steroid injection in the management of patients with chronic back pain, there is a considerable body of evidence to suggest that it can improve t
