PARENTS HAD ‘FIRE IN THE BELLY’ – PAGE 3 CHRISTOPHER LEFT A REMARKABLE LEGACY – PAGE 7 GOODBYE AND THANKS TO HMNZS ENDEAVOUR – PAGE 8 WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A BOY WHO’S MAD ON WATER? – PAGE 11

February 2018 February February 2018 | Community Moves 1 Personally speaking

Happy New Year to you all. I hope you all found time for some rest and recreation in the fantastic weather over the holiday season.

At IHC the year has got off to a rapid start. The start of the year always means Annual Appeal time for us and this year’s theme goes straight to the core of what we do. This year we are talking about decision-making and the importance of supporting people to make as many choices as possible about their own lives. Through our charitable programmes we run workshops and provide materials that support not only the person with a disability to learn and think about how to make decisions, but also supports family and friends to empower them to do so. It can be a life-changing process. I know many of you generously support our fundraising throughout the year – I’d like to personally thank you for the difference you make.

Early in January we paid tribute to Dr Donald Beasley, former President of IHC and New Zealand Life Member. He died on 27 December 2017, aged 97. Donald made a huge contribution to this organisation – founding the Northland branch and powerfully advocating for people with intellectual disabilities nationally and internationally. Read our tribute to Donald on page 3.

Accessible Properties’ homes remain in high demand with so many people looking for good affordable and accessible homes. Recently the media reported that Tauranga had become New Zealand’s least affordable city. Our team in Tauranga is involved with a wide-reaching group aiming to end homelessness in the city. As the largest social housing provider in that city, and with a thorough understanding of the difference a good home makes, we are keen to make more homes available to people in need. We know that developing this important market also helps strengthen the IHC Group for the future.

We have continued into 2018 with a focus on our services. We are working to make sure our residential and vocational services are the best they can be and we are in the process of introducing refreshed quality and safety programmes and new technology to support our work.

We have welcomed a new Chief Operating Officer, Joan Cowan, into our organisation and I am delighted to have her on board. You can read more about Joan on page 4.

There is always more to do as we strive to do the best for the people we support. I look forward to updating you throughout the year.

Ralph Jones IHC Chief Executive

2 Community Moves | February 2018

February 2018 Parents had ‘fire in the belly’ CONTENTS 3 Parents had ‘fire in the belly’

4 New chief is ready for ‘’ a challenge

5 Super teams honour Sir Colin in Te Kūiti

6 Matamata – a small town with a huge heart

7 Christopher left a remarkable legacy

8 Goodbye and thanks Former IHC President Dr Donald Beasley with grandson Leathan at the beach house near to HMNZS Endeavour Whananaki, his favourite spot in the world. Much of the flax was planted by his father Herbert, a keen conservationist. 10 Special Olympics follows up on athletes’ It was there that he became involved Donald Beasley health 10 April 1920 – 27 December 2017 with IHC. On the international stage, he served two terms as President of 11 What do you do with Donald Beasley became a the International League of Societies a boy who’s mad on member of the IHC Parents’ for Persons with Mental Handicap. water? Association in 1955. Although Throughout this time he was a he didn’t have a child with strong advocate for the children of 12 Te Reo builds a sense an intellectual disability, the Northland and beyond, especially of belonging association had recently those who were less fortunate than opened up its membership others, either socially or because of to the wider community – not their disability or health needs. CHECK US without some controversy. He did not underestimate the role OUT ON of parents in IHC. On the 40th FACEBOOK That change, however, opened anniversary of the New Zealand KEEP UP WITH WHAT IHC the way for someone who was to Society for the Intellectually IS DOING – FOLLOW OUR become an influential leader of IHC, Handicapped in 1989, he said: CAMPAIGNS AND BE THE FIRST both within New Zealand and on TO READ OUR STORIES AND SEE OUR VIDEOS. the world stage. He established the “The striking feature of the society Northland branch of IHC and went in complete contrast with every WE’LL KEEP YOU POSTED WITH on to lead the organisation nationally other voluntary organisation was NEWS, VIEWS AND BOOK REVIEWS FROM THE IHC LIBRARY. as President from 1964 until 1979. He the burning conviction of the was made an IHC New Zealand Life membership, particularly parents, WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. first that by and large people with Member in 1981. SO JOIN THE CONVERSATION. intellectual handicap had been FACEBOOK.COM/IHCNEWZEALAND Donald’s association with IHC severely underestimated and that started soon after he qualified as a changes were necessary. This paediatrician. Donald and his wife conviction, this zeal, this fire in the COVER IMAGE: Carol had returned home in 1954 belly provided the energy for the Five-year-old Anakin Kingi thought from Britain, where Donald had work I was able to do and powered all his Christmases had come at completed his specialist training. the knowledge, professional once. His family were heading to Facing a long queue to get a suitable Hawkes Bay for a couple of days expertise and authority.” of fun at the National Aquarium hospital position in , he set in Napier and at Splash Planet in up in private practice in Whāngārei. ...continued on page 13 Hastings. See story page 11.

FebruaryFebruary 2018 2018 | Community | Community Moves Moves 3 3 New chief is ready for a challenge

IDEA Services’ new Chief Operating Officer Joan Cowan is not someone who will shy away from a challenge.

In October last year Joan needed to show completed the ‘Polar Bear measurable Challenge’, which is part of results,” she the Polar Circle Marathon in says. Greenland. The challenge is for runners to complete a Most recently marathon one day followed Joan was by a half-marathon the next General day on the polar ice cap. Manager Specialist A fellow participant was Advice and Peter, a man with severe Services for physical disabilities who Healthcare was supported to complete New Zealand, both races. Joan says she responsible for was reminded that the leadership and is the limit for people management of IDEA Services’ new Chief Operating Officer, Joan Cowan with disabilities – and that three business anything can be achieved units – Explore with the right support. Specialist Advice, Solora I want people to feel that they Rehabilitation Services and are a part of the solution.” On 8 January Joan took over Freedom Medical Alarms. from Janine Stewart, who Where staff are using their skills had been acting COO since Now back at IDEA Services, and knowledge to achieve great February last year. Joan says Joan will be based at National services, her goal is to share it feels like she has come full Office in Wellington. She says that knowledge directly with circle. She started working she will continue with the other staff. “The most motivating for IHC in 1997 as a support changes to services that are thing for the person who is worker at weekends, then under way while supporting doing it well is to be seen to worked in many roles within and acknowledging the be doing it well, and to be the organisation, including existing strengths and good applauded for doing so. Community Service Manager work that are the backbone and a Regional Advisor in of the organisation. And for “My style is transparent the Central Region, before families? “It’s about continuing and inclusive and I want to leaving in 2006. to ensure and improve on the encourage a workforce that quality of services,” she says. enjoys coming to work and feels She then went to work valued for the good work that at Explore, which at that “I am a real believer in looking they do.” time was a small regional at what we are doing and behavioural support service. challenging ourselves to make Joan plans to meet as many “Explore was awarded the sure we are as good as we IDEA Services staff as possible, National Behaviour Support believe we are.” as soon as she can. “I am contract, which was an looking forward to being out amazing opportunity to take a She favours a team approach. and about. I don’t think you can fresh look at service delivery “My style is to encourage understand what is going on in an environment where we people to use their initiative. unless you have a presence.”

4 Community Moves | February 2018 Super teams honour Sir Colin in Te Kūiti

Lady Verna Meads is sitting at her local cafe in Te Kūiti. The waiter, knowing her order by heart, is bringing over her cappuccino topped with cinnamon.

A few players have just entered, and player comes over for a chat.

“It’s lovely to meet the wife of Colin,” he says, before asking for directions to the rugby ground.

Verna informs the 81-test capped All Black that it’s just down the road. Lady Verna Meads with Te Kanawa Street Day Base service users and Sir ' statue in Te Kūiti. The and Blues teams are in Te Kūiti Farmlands Strategy and And the game itself? For to play a preseason game for Communications Director Colm IDEA Services’ Otorohanga the Farmlands Rural Legends Hamrogue agrees: “It’s a huge day base user Hemi Winikerei, Shield. Together the teams honour for us to be here today the “wrong team won”. at [Colin’s] home ground. have chosen to donate the But was it a good game? $5000 match-day prize money “It’s really about giving back “Yeah, cool fun,” he says. to IHC in honour of the late to legends like Colin Meads. Sir Colin Meads. For the record the Blues won They’ve given so much for New 45-19. Would Colin have liked to see Zealand, and so much for towns Super Rugby teams donating like Te Kūiti,” Colm says. “It’s IHC thanks everyone involved to IHC? “He very much would very important we give back to for their generous donations have,” says Verna, “and for the communities and charities.” and support. game to be local too!”

For the Chiefs it was a perfect fit – bringing the team to their fans in the region and taking the opportunity, alongside Farmlands and the Blues, to honour Colin and Verna and support IHC.

“Meads is an icon of New Zealand and lived within the Chiefs' region,” says Chiefs CEO Michael Collins. “It’s wonderful to help and support a cause Meads Lady Verna Meads flanked by Blues and All Blacks rugby players Jerome Kaino (left) and was so passionate about.” .

February 2018 | Community Moves 5 Matamata – a small town with a huge heart

Committee members present at the final Matamata IHC Area Committee meeting on 31 July 2017 were (from left) Gwen Kirkwood, Jackie Ireland, Valerie Williams, Christine Lee, Gail Pearson and Annette Davidson (Chair).

It’s the third week in she has been raising money But Gwen won’t take any of the February and IHC for people with intellectual credit and points to the loyal disabilities in Matamata. She ran support of Matamata locals and supporters in Matamata are the IHC door-knock appeal for to all her colleagues who have out on the street to remind 37 years until IHC stopped going served on the Matamata Area local people that it’s time for door-to-door when it became Committee with her: Valerie the IHC Annual Appeal. clear that fewer people had Williams, Annette Davidson, Keith cash on hand. Gwen also helps Rea, Christine Lee, Gail Pearson, There are few places where at the town’s opportunity shop. Jackie Ireland and others. Like support has been stronger or for Local community groups share her, many of them have given longer than Matamata. It’s the the shop, each taking one week decades to improving the lives of same drill every year: supporters a year. disabled people who live in the set up a stall on the main street town – gifts at Christmas, Easter Gwen has been honoured by the to display information about eggs and buns at Easter and Queen – she received a Queen’s IHC’s support of people with support all year around. Some of Service Medal in 1996. She has intellectual disabilities. The their family members live in the cake for the raffle is baked been honoured by IHC – she is three IHC residential homes in and lavishly decorated by Patron and Life Member of the Matamata. Jane Rea, wife of IHC South IHC South Association. Waikato Association Chair Keith She has been honoured by “My husband and I lost our Rea. There is also a grocery the town – in 2012 she was first two children and that raffle with items donated by named a Paul Harris Fellow by made us very concerned about supporters. the Matamata Rotary Club for people who have problems and outstanding service to Matamata disabilities,” Gwen says. Taking a turn on the roster for more than 60 years, and last “Matamata is a very compassionate for the street stall is Gwen year she won the Margarette town. People are very keen to Kirkwood, who turned 90 in Golding Award from International February. For nearly 50 years Inner Wheel. ...continued on page 15

6 Community Moves | February 2018 Christopher left a remarkable legacy Christopher Ranby’s brain was damaged at birth, leaving him with an intellectual disability and at the same time leaving New Zealand with a remarkable legacy.

Today he might have been a poster child for the intellectual disability movement. But Christopher was born in 1945, at a time when most disabled children were hidden away and there was little on offer except institutional care. Against all expectations that he wouldn’t live past 20, he lived until he was 72, dying in his sleep in November last year.

Christopher’s birth turned his mother Lorna into a campaigner. Lorna and Beart Ranby had no intention of hiding their child and rejected the idea of institutional care. They joined a new movement of parents who Christopher Ranby at Cooks Beach in 2007. His disability propelled his parents into public believed their children were roles they weren’t entirely comfortable with, determined to get better support for him. entitled to education and better support. This was the start of Waikato and son Paul describes He had various periods of respite IHC in Waikato and the Bay of his family as a tight unit. “The care at Christopher House, but Plenty. three of us were all 15 or 16 mainly he lived on the farm, and In recognition of Lorna’s efforts, months apart. We were raised Paul reflects that he was probably Christopher’s name was given together on the farm – a small lonely when they were at school. dairy unit of 136 acres. We ran to New Zealand’s first non- “He was very ordered; he would governmental social housing alongside the main highway and rail route. Christopher line up cards in their suits. He for people with intellectual loved the trains. would open people’s cupboards disabilities – Christopher House, to see if they were straight and which was established in 1954 “We acted like a normal family ordered. He understood more in Hamilton. That facility was – one member of it was a bit than people realised and his followed by Christopher Park, different,” Paul says. “He was memory was intact,” Paul says. the first residential complex always there; he was always for people with intellectual included.” “He loved doing puzzles – he disabilities, which opened in was curious in everything around Christopher was home-schooled 1960. him. The hardest things were while Paul and their sister Allison when people would laugh at him.” So who was Christopher? went to boarding school. Paul Christopher was the eldest says he remembers his father Paul says Christopher never of three children. The Ranbys astounding people by saying spoke. “At his funeral I talked farmed at Waitoa between that Christopher was learning Morrinsville and Te Aroha in to read. ...continued on page 14

February 2018 | Community Moves 7 Goodbye and thanks to HMNZS Endeavour In November the crew of HMNZS Endeavour paraded through New Plymouth with full ceremony to say goodbye to the city and some good friends.

Their ship, the Royal New Zealand Navy fleet refuelling tanker, was decommissioned on 15 December, ending a 30-year relationship with the city and with IHC – its chosen charity. For years, on visits to its home port, sailors had put on their overalls and rolled up their sleeves to work at IDEA Services residential homes and vocational centres throughout Taranaki.

The volunteers put their skills to work to build, garden, repair, clean and do any other job that needed doing to make life a bit easier for people with intellectual disabilities.

But at the Charter Parade in New Plymouth on Saturday 18 November, the crew exchanged With drums beating, band playing and colours flying, the crew of HMNZS Endeavour paraded through New Plymouth to say goodbye. their overalls for dress uniforms and paraded with the Royal New was keen to preserve the special On their last assignment before Zealand Navy Band from the clock relationships the ship had with IHC the Charter Parade sailors turned tower in Queen Street to the Puke and with Moturoa School – aware up at the IDEA Services Atawhai Ariki landing, where Commander there would be a two-year gap Nursery at Hurworth outside Martin Doolan handed back the between the Endeavour being New Plymouth to lend a hand. City Charter to New Plymouth decommissioned and the new North Taranaki Area Manager Mayor Neil Holdom. HMNZS Aotearoa coming into Margaret Rangitonga says the service in 2020. New Plymouth The charter between the ship and weather was bad, so they had will also be the home port for the the district had given the ship’s to abandon some of the outdoor Aotearoa. company ‘the right and privilege of work they had planned and marching with drums beating, band “I just wanted to maximise our instead worked alongside staff playing, colours flying, bayonets impact until the new ship came and people with disabilities to fixed and swords drawn’ through online, because there will be a bit propagate native plants. the streets of the city. “It’s a very of a gap.” The Navy has had a special old tradition,” Martin says. The He says most of the work has relationship with IHC in Taranaki town turned out to watch. involved maintenance and his ever since the frigate HMNZS Martin has been at the helm of crew have been keen to help. Taranaki chose IHC as its HMNZS Endeavour since 2015 “Once you have been there nominated charity in 1976, says and in that time the ship has made you realise you are making a former Area Manager Clive Pryme. four visits to its home port. He contribution and making Clive says he got a call from the says when he took command he a difference.” Purchasing Officer of theTaranaki

8 Community Moves | February 2018 Goodbye and thanks to HMNZS Endeavour

Commander Martin Doolan (left) and navigator Lieutenant Seagar Clarkson watch as HMNZS Endeavour berths in Port Taranaki for the last time on 15 November. The ship was decommissioned on 15 December. Fairfax Media – Taranaki Daily News. With drums beating, band playing and colours flying, the crew of HMNZS Endeavour paraded through New Plymouth to say goodbye.

asking if there was anything the Regional Naval Officer Janet crew could do to help us. IHC Wrightson Lean has been what had recently built an eight-bed is called the ‘Lady Sponsor’ of residential unit for children and the Endeavour since she did the wanted to put in a playground. official job of launching it in South “When the crew arrived in port Korea in 1988, when her husband they fitted all the ropes and put David Lean was Mayor of New the thing together. From then on, Plymouth. Janet has acted as every time the Taranaki was in liaison between the Navy and port we arranged something for New Plymouth since 2006. them – gardening, even painting roofs. They used to come in Janet paid tribute to the work and upgrade the ropes on the done by the Endeavour’s crew adventure playground.” for IHC. “They have done some amazing stuff at the residences After the Taranaki was over the years.” decommissioned in 1982 the relationship continued through Martin Doolan says the Endeavour HMNZS Waikato, another frigate, will remain at Devonport until then with HMNZS Endeavour. February or early March before Endeavour crew member Wayne O’Brien and “It’s been very, very good and Shaun Mitchell (5) at the New Plymouth IHC being taken away for scrap. “I Centre in the 1980s. Fairfax Media – Taranaki very, very positive,” Clive says. hope I don’t see that,” he says. Daily News.

February 2018 | Community Moves 9 Help on offer as 2018 census goes online Every five years Stats NZ runs the census – counting how many people and dwellings there are in New Zealand. The next census day is 6 March 2018.

This year people are being Ken Taylor, a Clinical Director for the oral health screening, checks an athlete. asked to fill out the census information online. Special Olympics follows up on athletes’ health

In February, Stats NZ will send an Special Olympics New Zealand is making changes to its Healthy access code to every household Athletes Programme to improve the health of athletes year-round. in New Zealand for people to use. Forms can be filled out using a It will be following up with athletes hearing and one athlete with an eye mobile phone, desktop, laptop who participated in the recent problem that needed immediate or tablet. Paper forms will still National Summer Games to check attention. There were also a large be available for those who that they are receiving the treatment number of non-urgent results that prefer them. they need for any health problems needed follow-up. that were identified. IDEA Services is working with “Athletes with intellectual disabilities Stats NZ to make sure there will For some years, Special Olympics typically have poorer health than be support available for people has screened athletes attending its other ,” Rachel living in residential homes and in National Summer Games and some says. “The cost is a huge barrier our Supported Living Services to regional games through its Healthy and facilitating the access – fill out the forms. Athletes Programme. The programme making appointments and getting offers free health screening of eyes, to appointments.” Information from the census helps ears, teeth and feet and recommends The recent games marked a plan how billions of dollars of referrals where necessary. government funding are spent. number of other ‘firsts’. The Because information is collected Now for the first time Special results from hearing tests were about everyone in New Zealand, Olympics is tracking the follow-up electronically reported for the first it can be used to make plans that takes place, says Special time and emailed to team managers about services and where they Olympics Healthy Communities and through them to athletes. should be, such as hospitals, Coordinator Rachel Clarke. “Paper results don’t always make it home,” Rachel says. kōhanga reo, schools, roads “I have had some early and and public transport. encouraging responses which A specialist team from the University Key facts indicate that the screening makes of Auckland, led by Professors an important difference in the Charles McGhee and Dipika Patel, • Households will be sent an access code in February. health and wellbeing of our athletes, worked with the vision screening, and prompts athletes to receive the assessing for keratoconus. • Watch out for your letter. necessary care and intervention they People with Down syndrome are • Every member of the require,” she says. particularly susceptible. household must complete At the National Summer Games in The Summer Games were a census form. Wellington in November, more than supported by the Health and For help, or to request a paper 70 voluntary clinicians screened Disability Commissioner, which copy of the census forms, call 1097 of the 1300 athletes. Fifty-five provided information for athletes 0800 CENSUS (0800 236 787). athletes were found to have urgent and their families about their rights For more information about the health problems – 35 involving teeth, when using health and disability census, go to census.govt.nz 11 concerning feet, eight involving services.

10 Community Moves | February 2018 What do you do with a boy who’s mad on water? Five-year-old Anakin Kingi thought all his Christmases had come at once. All of a sudden the family were packing into the car and heading to Hawkes Bay for a couple of days of fun at the National Aquarium in Napier and at Splash Planet in Hastings.

The family was one of many who Anakin Kingi heads to the water with his family, Leisana, Chante and Thomas. got a break this summer thanks to IHC’s ‘Take a break with us’ no longer allow him to work. So sends a charge through the wire programme and funding from the he and his wife Chante swapped to my heart to try to bring it back Zena Elsie Orr Memorial Trust fund. places. He stayed home to care to a normal rhythm. It is exactly like for their children and Chante went getting kicked in the chest by a Anakin loves anything to do with back to fulltime work. horse,” Thomas says. water, so the break was designed to have as many activities involving He looks back now and says he “I used to drink and smoke. I water as possible. is happy to play the cards he was have given all that up – I had to dealt. As it turned out Anakin, if I wanted to see my son and Thomas and Chante Kingi, Leisana, who was only a baby at the time, daughter grow up. I am not one to 12, and Anakin had two nights in a would be diagnosed with autism sit down in a corner and to wait for Hastings motel. It was the family’s and Thomas was on hand to the inevitable. I want to be there as first visit to Napier and their first provide the support he needed. long as I can for my children and my holiday in a motel, and they made Anakin was non-verbal until he was wife,” he says. the most of it. They started early three years old and is now slowly from home in Palmerston North for gathering words. He started school Thomas says he and his family are the drive to Napier so they could in October. very grateful for the summer break. take in the aquarium before check- “It was so much fun – just the fact in time at the motel in Hastings. “It has basically worked out well, of something new.” “To be honest, we don’t get away just being able to be there for a lot that much.” of firsts – his first steps, first words. Trustees of the Zena Elsie Orr It is so rewarding just being there Memorial Trust fund recently They got a good deal on tickets to nurture and coach him,” Thomas agreed to spend $50,000 to to Splash Planet and spent the says. “I have little patience and he support the ‘Take a break with us’ entire day at the adventure park has got none. We are both learning programme. The trust was set up from opening until closing time. off each other. He is teaching me with a legacy to provide short-term “Our tickets were for full access patience and resilience and I am care for people with intellectual to everything that was in the park. teaching him the basics. disabilities in the Manawatū area. Anakin is a water baby and he just wanted to go swimming – he just “These are the cards that I have The ‘Take a break with us’ thoroughly enjoyed the whole of been dealt – my condition and programme is also supported by the park,” Thomas says. “We made my son. Beside my son having Millennium & Copthorne Hotels our sandwiches in the morning and autism, I have got a heart condition New Zealand, which is generously we took down our drinks and had a called cardiomyopathy. I have a providing IHC with more than 50 good picnic lunch.” pacemaker and an ICD [internal twin-share, double or family-style cardiac defibrillator]. I have got a hotel rooms and breakfast. There Five years ago, Thomas faced the little battery pack that they inserted are 20 participating hotels across fact that his heart condition would under my skin. That battery pack New Zealand.

February 2018 | Community Moves 11 Te Reo builds a sense of belonging Armed with an iPad each, some useful apps and a desire to learn Te Reo, two Blenheim women are building a sense of belonging based on learning the Māori language.

Two years ago, Maggie Dewar and Carol Morrow started exploring Te Reo Māori together through the IHC skill-based volunteering programme. Maggie had come from Scotland to work here and wanted to learn Te Reo to connect with New Zealand. Carol was keen to connect with her Māori family and heritage.

When they first met, Carol was researching her family history. “I came from Auckland. I was brought up in Rotorua. I was descended from Hone Heke [a Ngāpuhi chief],” she says. Carol was also attending kapa Maggie Dewar and Carol Morrow plan to keep exploring Te Reo. haka groups with support staff.

Maggie had completed some ourselves and have fun,” Maggie It is one of two volunteering formal courses in Level 1 and says. “But it’s nice to have a programmes run by IHC. The Level 2 of Te Reo and she wanted shared focus.” friendship programme is designed to consolidate her skills and share for longer-term relationships, her knowledge. They spent two IHC Volunteer Coordinator while the skill-based programme months together on Carol’s mihi Jane Peoples says Carol now is for an eight-to 10-week period and learned some waiata. has an iPad as well as Maggie and designed to achieve a set and this has made it easier to goal. “It’s wonderful to see people Late last year they booked in for learn together. “Not only has learning Te Reo,” she says. another 10-week session – this Carol learned more Māori – her time to focus on conversational pronunciation is excellent – she “Skill-based volunteering allows Māori and to boost their has also become very proficient people to come in for six to eight vocabulary. Maggie says she has in the use of her iPad.” weeks, or eight to 10 weeks, or found it harder to learn Te Reo whatever it takes to achieve than other languages because Even though their session is over, the goal.” of the lack of opportunity to Carol will continue practising practise. “Just spending time with what she has learned and, after She says short-term assignments Carol means that I am revising summer, Maggie plans to go back allow people to see if volunteering the basics.” Maggie says she and share some more Te Reo with IHC is something they want appreciates Carol’s very good with Carol. to do. “Ideally a short-term pronunciation. skill-based assignment could lead IHC National Manager of into a longer-term friendship.” “I can only speak a little bit,” Volunteering Sue Kobar says Carol says. she plans to put a greater focus To find out more see ihc.org.nz/ on encouraging skill-based get-involved, call 0800 442 442, “The main thing is just to enjoy volunteering in 2018. or email [email protected]

12 Community Moves | February 2018 Parents had ‘fire in the belly’ ...continued from page 3

He recognised that parents were the driving force of the organisation. “They are the passionate membership. We could never have done what we’ve done if it had not been for parents.”

Donald Beasley died on 27 December 2017 in Whāngārei. He was 97.

IHC Chief Executive Ralph Jones Donald’s Kawasaki mule not only made it easier to get down to the beach, but acquired a paid tribute to his significant personality of its own. contribution to people with intellectual disabilities. Dr Brigit Mirfin-Veitch, Director of Graham, in Auckland. They were He promoted some important the Donald Beasley Institute, says to have four sons. developments in his time as the fact that New Zealand has an In a eulogy, family member and President, including changing the independent institute dedicated paediatric surgeon Professor name of the organisation to reflect to research and education in the Spencer Beasley said that for the support given to adults as well field of intellectual disability is 22 years Donald was the only as children, and offering support due to Donald’s perception and paediatrician in Northland. “The to governments and organisations farsightedness. cumulative benefit he has given to in the Pacific Islands to promote “He recognised that evidence- the people of Northland is hard to the establishment of services based social research and estimate but must be enormous.” for people with intellectual education was critical to ensuring disabilities. He also paved the He served as Chair of the Northland that people with learning way for widening representation Area Health Board and as President disabilities could take their rightful within the organisation – a move of Health Boards NZ until 1992. His place as members of their local that led to the establishment of a advocacy work and public health communities. We have continued fully representative New Zealand service earned him an OBE and to pursue this goal for more Council in 1981. CBE. than 30 years, and it remains as Donald Beasley was a relevant today as it was when The family says that the beach paediatrician with a high profile Donald and others framed the house at Moureeses Bay, near in medical circles and strong issue in the 1970s. Whananaki, was probably his relationships with allied disability favourite spot in the world. organisations throughout the “The staff of the Donald Beasley world. The Dunedin-based Donald Institute have benefited from “At Whananaki, the purchase of a Beasley Institute was renamed Donald’s continued interest in and Kawasaki mule was ostensibly to in his honour in 1991 – it remains encouragement of our work for help him and [grandson] Leathan a leader in intellectual disability many years. His advice and kind get to the beach more easily, but it research today. words always came at exactly the soon acquired its own personality, right moment, and always had an to the extent of us celebrating its “Donald was an outstanding energising impact.” birthday each year in a ceremony leader of IHC during his term as that involved sitting around it with a President, a powerful advocate for Donald was born in Auckland on cake and candles,” Spencer said. the intellectually disabled, a fine 10 April 1920 and spent some of paediatrician, a brilliant orator, and his childhood in with Donald’s wife Carol died in 1987. a wonderful New Zealander,” says siblings Warren and Joyce. They are survived by their four sons: Sir Roderick Deane, IHC Patron. He met his future wife, Carol Alastair, Michael, Tony and Adrian.

February 2018 | Community Moves 13 Beart and Lorna Ranby with Allison, Paul and Christopher (right).

she would give – very eloquent, facility offering longer-term, 32- Christopher left a decisive, passionate. Dad, even bed residential accommodation, remarkable legacy more against type, was in there respite care, workshops and ...continued from page 7 on committees.” various support services. It closed in 1989 when the institutions about language not being just Lorna started the South Auckland were shut down and people words. He had sounds and branch of the Intellectually with disabilities went to live in the variations of sounds. You can get Handicapped Children’s Parents’ community. a long way on yes and no if you Association in 1950, a year after the organisation was founded frame a question right. His eyes When the Ranbys left the farm by Harold and Margaret Anyon were very expressive – joy, anger and retired first to Auckland then and fear were pretty clear.” in Wellington. Lorna advertised back to Tauranga, Christopher in local newspapers calling went with them. When they Paul says one of his earliest for a meeting of parents with memories was overhearing his could no longer care for him he intellectually disabled children. mother talking to another parent went into residential care with South Auckland at that time on the phone. “She said, ‘We stretched north to the Bombay IDEA Services in Pukekohe. have to bring our children out Hills and south to Christopher spent the last five into society and into public view and Lorna rented a car and years of his life at the Selwyn and stop hiding them away’.” took to the road. One by one, Heights Hospital wing in He says Christopher’s disability more than 33 towns formed Hillsborough, Auckland. propelled his parents into public sub-branches of IHC throughout By today’s standards his life was roles they weren’t entirely Waikato and the Bay of Plenty. difficult in many respects, Paul comfortable with, determined to “I think there might have been get better support for him and some anxiety in Wellington that says. But overall he believes children like him. “They were things were moving too fast in Christopher lived a good life – very human, down-to-earth South Auckland,” Paul says. “given the circumstances in which people.” He says it was against he was born and the culture in Lorna’s natural inclination to go Christopher House was IHC’s first which he was raised. He had public. “She wasn’t someone who hostel and provided short-stay parents who took him seriously sought the limelight. I think of accommodation to give parents and provided the best care they her as a warrior queen out there. a breather. Christopher Park could and a brother and sister I have got some of the speeches was developed as a specialist who learned how to be with him.”

14 Community Moves | February 2018 IHC NEW ZEALAND INCORPORATED ihc.org.nz

IHC BOARD Neil Taylor, Chair Anne Gilbert Jason Hollingworth Ralph Jones, Chief Executive Shelley Payne Michael Quigg Barbara Rocco ONZM Rob Steele

IHC MEMBER COUNCIL Barbara Rocco, Chair, ONZM Janet Derbyshire Dr Diane Mara MNZM Scott Miller Pip O’Connell Kay Pearce Sylvia Robertson Danny Tauroa

PATRONS Sir Roderick & Gillian, Lady Deane

NZ LIFE MEMBERS Dr Terry Caseley Sir Roderick Deane KNZM Jan Dowland Matamata IHC Area Committee Chair Annette Davidson (right) thanks Gwen Kirkwood (left) and Valerie Williams, who were both on the committee from the start. John Hanning John Holdsworth ONZM JB Munro QSO Matamata – a small Gwen and her husband Jack Lynne Renouf epitomised the IHC/Lions Club Barbara Rocco ONZM town with a huge partnership that has existed in the Tony Shaw town since the Lions built the first IHC Neil Taylor heart pre-school in Station Road in 1970. Donald Thompson ...continued from page 6 The Lions raised $7862 and 45 local Charlie Waigth tradesmen donated their time. Maureen Wood help. They know the families – The building is still in use as a IHC NATIONAL OFFICE vocational centre. Jack was a Level 15, 57 Willis Street, it’s a more personal thing.” Wellington 6011 longstanding member of the club PO Box 4155, Wellington 6140 The Area Committee started in until his death in 2012. In 1997 he was Ph 04 472 2247, Fax 04 472 0429 1962 as a sub-branch of the South made a member of the New Zealand EDITOR Auckland Branch of IHC. Gwen Order of Merit for community service. joined the committee in 1969 and for Gina Rogers The annual Lions/IHC Golf Tournament Ph 04 495 2771 the past 30 years served as Treasurer raised funds for 50 years – only Email [email protected] and Correspondence Secretary. Over winding up in 2015. “They have been COPYRIGHT the years she wrote hundreds of great supporters of us. Several of cards on behalf of IHC. She wrote a Community Moves is published those men still come along and knock by IHC New Zealand Incorporated. personal thank-you to every volunteer on the door and give us a cheque,” The content of Community Moves who helped at the street stall and Gwen says. is copyright. No part of this opportunity shop, and Annual Appeal publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any letters to all the schools that provided Last year the Area Committee held its means without the prior written helpers, the Lions Club for transport, last meeting after 55 years, but all its permission of the publisher. bank tellers who helped with the activities will continue to be carried out ISSN 1171-8587 count, and rural coordinators. by the IHC South Waikato Association.

February 2018 | Community Moves 15