Joint Support December 2014.Indd
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ARTHRITIS NEW ZEALAND NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2014 Acknowledging some very special people At the Arthritis New Zealand Awards function in Christchurch, some very special people who have made tremendous contributions to benefi t the lives of people with arthritis in New Zealand were acknowledged. The Premier Award recognises those who have been diagnosed with arthritis and have been able to achieve goals and act as a role model for others. This year it was awarded to Associate Professor Peter Larmer. Peter is a nationally and internationally respected physiotherapist, lecturer, researcher and academic. Peter was diagnosed with osteoarthritis when he was a young man, but he self-managed his (Left to right) Arthritis New Zealand CEO Sandra Kirby, James Lowe, Adrienne Crowe, Arthritis New Zealand President Alan Henwood, Associate Professor Peter Larmer, Lynne McMillan, condition and delayed the need for and Deva Dhar from Blackmores New Zealand Limited. Inset: Billy Bowden a hip replacement for 12 years. He has shared his experience, freely Her personal experience, Zealand Limited, which has supported given his professional expertise, and understanding and empathy for Arthritis New Zealand in many ways has been a member of Arthritis New people experiencing arthritis have since 2007. The percentage of sales Zealand’s Governing Body since ensured that the organisation has from a number of identifi ed products 2009. Peter is also a former member maintained a people focus. has resulted in substantial support of the Physiotherapy Board and is a since the commencement of the Adrienne Crowe has been Fellow of the New Zealand College of sponsorship. Blackmores has also involved with Arthritis New Physiotherapy. helped in many other ways, and the Zealand since her daughter company’s work with Arthritis New The Distinguished Service Award Rebecca was diagnosed with Zealand is a true partnership. acknowledges volunteers who have Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) made outstanding contributions to in 2004. She and her husband The Young Achiever Award identifi es the work of Arthritis New Zealand. Richard have advocated strongly the achievements and potential of a This year it was awarded to three and successfully for medications young person affected by arthritis. individuals. Since 2006, international for people with arthritis and This year it was awarded to rugby cricket umpire Billy Bowden has have provided support to other player James Lowe, who despite allowed his status as a cricket umpire parents and families since that being diagnosed with arthritis as a with arthritis to be used to promote time. Adrienne has been the key teenager, has played for the Tasman our work. He has appeared on South Island link for parents of Makos since 2012, and this year posters, gerbera boxes and been children with arthritis. She has was named in the Chiefs and Māori interviewed numerous times. Billy’s been a listening ear and a source All Blacks squads. For four years rheumatoid arthritis resulted in him of advice and reassurance for James has been an extraordinary changing his dream from being a parents whose children have been ambassador to Arthritis New Zealand. cricket player to being an umpire. diagnosed with JIA and other He plays all his games wearing an He is widely known for his trademark forms of arthritis. orange wristband. bent fi nger – a result of his arthritis. The Business Development Lynne McMillan has spent six years Award recognises signifi cant as Southern Region Representative fi nancial contributions that have on our Governing Body. Lynne had a major impact on raising has provided professional and awareness of arthritis. This year it strategic advice to the organisation. was awarded to Blackmores New From the President Going to Christchurch for the Arthritis New remains crucial for our Governing Zealand awards and AGM was my fi rst Body. We welcomed Digna Toreson visit since the 2011 earthquakes. This city and Deidre Lusby as the newly elected teaches all of us about resilience and the representatives. The Governing Body need to focus on what can be achieved brings together a wide range of skill sets within current limitations. Lessons those to ensure Arthritis New Zealand can of us with arthritis know in our personal achieve the ambitious goals we have set lives as well. ourselves. I have now been on both the giving and Digna’s teenage son Jacob has arthritis In this issue: receiving end of the Arthritis New Zealand and this family fi rst came in contact 1 Acknowledging some very Awards process. For the organisation with us at a camp for children. It was special people these awards recognise the efforts people a revelation for Jacob that there were 2 From the President make with and for us. I was humbled others like him. Like many of us on the 3 From the Chief Executive two years ago to be a recipient of one Governing Body, Digna’s nomination as of these Awards and honoured this year a National Representative refl ected their 4 The University of Otago Research Theme: Outing to present the Awards to very deserving family giving back to the organisation gout 5: A day of gout updates recipients. that supported them. She comes with 5 Youth leaders’ development an impressive business background weekend I have been watching the rugby career specialising in human resource of our Young Achiever James Lowe. He Live Facebook with Arthritis management – a skill set the Board had Educators played well with the Chiefs in the Super identifi ed as a gap. Deidre Lusby has 6 JIANTS to perform ‘ORANGE‘ 15 this year; was outstanding for the been elected as the Southern Regional Cherries! Tasman Makos in the ITM Cup and just Rare Disease Day Representative. Deidre comes from recently was playing with the Maori All Osteoarthritis researcher Nelson and was originally employed as wins scholarship Blacks team on their Asian tour. Looking a Service Centre Coordinator in Nelson. 7 2014 appeal - celebrating the at him it is hard to remember that only six Since 2011 Deidre has been a volunteer income years ago James spent most of a year helping with our water based exercises 8 What we will be doing in 2015 doubled over in pain from his arthritis. He and for the past two years a member of 10 PEDAL Programme puts is an inspiration for many young rugby people on their bikes the Southern Regional Liaison Group. Don’t turn your back on it players and for the young people living 11 Governing Body with arthritis. Laurie Breadmore has returned to the Governing Body with an expanded role – New Honorary Life Member: You will see more information about all Hon Michael Woodhouse representing the MidlandCentral Region. Introducing our new the recipients in the magazine. They are Minister of Health: Hon Dr Jonathon Coleman all inspirational. We also formalised the appointments to the Governing Body for Roy Tiffi n and 12 Joint replacement surgery: We were fortunate to have the Hon am I a candidate? Dr Rebecca Grainger. Roy is a past Michael Woodhouse, Minister of Police, President of the New Zealand Institute of 13 Water based exercise speaking at the Awards function. We had Arthritis: the invisible thief Chartered Accountants and is a member invited him to the Awards not so much 14 Longest Day Bike Ride of several public sector audit committees. to talk about the challenges facing the Whanganui Dr Rebecca Grainger is a Wellington Garden Amble police force but to recognise the role based Rheumatologist and brings her Payroll Giving Michael has played in the formation of Auckland Marathon medical knowledge to the Board. The our Parliamentary Friends of Arthritis. Happy birthday to us! third appointed member is Martin Lenart His efforts as an MP living and working 15 Deltacom: supporting your who brings his extensive commercial with ankylosing spondylitis shaped community business expertise, management, the group and while he will continue to board, consulting, HR and accounting support both Arthritis New Zealand and experience. Editor: Darryl Ward the Parliamentary Friends group his Email: [email protected] Ministerial duties mean he is handing With Christmas as the next major event Phone: 0800 663 463 over the facilitator role. Michael didn’t in the calendar I would like to wish you know it as he spoke but the following and your family a happy and safe festive Offi cial magazine of Arthritis New Zealand day he was awarded Honorary Life season. ISSN 2324-1357 (Print) Membership of Arthritis New Zealand. ISSN 2324-1365 (Online) The AGM on the morning after the awards function refl ected the constitutional changes we voted in Alan Henwood last year. Elected representation President 2 From the Chief Executive This is the time of the year when I extend my gratitude. Your efforts are we look back and reflect on the recognised; your help is appreciated. achievements made. As we reported And to the many donors, supporters at the AGM in November it has been and funders - without your support we another very good year for Arthritis would achieve much less. New Zealand. We are continuing Alan Henwood, our President, to reach out to more people with has commented that we can’t be arthritis; we have extended again complacent. He is right. the range of people with arthritis that meet up with us. From the very The incoming government has young children whose parents find our committed new funds for supporting support helpful through to the more people with arthritis. Our challenge is mature people who value the time to ensure these funds are channelled spent with an Arthritis Educator or at where they will do the most good. The a support group there are thousands work ahead for 2015 and beyond with of people for whom contact with the projected increase in the number Arthritis New Zealand has improved of people with arthritis is challenging.