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  • A Different Light – 20th July 2024 – “ Spotlight on Troy Robertson”

    A Different Light – 20th July 2024 – Spotlight on Troy Robertson

    I had some trepidation about selecting someone for a ‘Spotlight Interview’ for the Tiaho Trust’s ‘Getting Out There’ magazine this year. This annual magazine insert in the Northern Advocate highlights disability services that are available throughout Northland. Not only do we profile sixteen disability support organisations, we also provide stories about people who use their services. Every year we have a new theme, and for 2024 it is ‘Innovative Solutions’. I wanted to tie this theme into a profile of a disabled person for the magazine- but who would fit the brief? Well, luckily for us all, we have a brilliant candidate for innovation in the world of disability right here in Whangārei – the unforgettable Troy Robertson!

    Troy is 25 years old. He is a particularly stylish individual, spiky hair, retro post-punk clothing, a range of Jonny Depp style necklaces and chains, eye/guy liner and a charismatic broad grin makes him stand out in a particularly cool way. Like me Troy has Cerebral Palsy. He uses a power-chair to get around that he controls with his phone.

    After completing NCEA year 13 with honours, Troy went to Waikato University, studying in Business Management and majoring in finance. I asked him whether he used any innovations whilst studying. His response was impressive. “I started using eye-tracker, it’s an assistive communication technology. It uses software to track your eye movements to use as an interface so you can use a computer because my fine motor coordination won’t allow me to use a normal keyboard or mouse. But I found the eye-tracker too slow, so I used X-box game controller which you can use to access the intranet. From there I used Google Docs to do my Uni study”. An extraordinary innovation!

    Troy recently attended one of our Enabling Good Lives hui, where we were asking what key and current issues Disabled people had and whether collectively we could come up with any innovative solutions. Someone mentioned they would like more social events that were disabled friendly. Troy, who is a seasoned and enthusiastic partier set about then organizing a successful retro disco, which was held a few weeks ago in town. Prompted by this achievement I quizzed him as to any other innovative solutions he had developed to support his partying prowess over the years.

    “Well once I went to a party in the middle of nowhere and we had to cross a river! , he recalled.  Apparently, his friends carried him in his powerchair over the river. Really?  I thought, yet again flabbergasted by his extreme solution finding. Makes my party years seem mild.

    Troy is also a talented boccia player. Boccia is an adaptive form of bowls, which uses apparatus such as ramps to roll the ball down. He won both a gold and bronze medal in Wellington. In Australia he got gold in the pairs category beating the 3rd ranked in the world. This opened up opportunities for more international matches. Troy described to me how he uses his ability to understand statistics, to use this knowledge as a guide, as to where to place the ball. He utilises spreadsheets to adjust the calibration of his moves to take into account variables such as the temperature and the floor surface, which all have an effect on the distance the ball goes.

    Developing our personal innovative solutions to life’s challenges is a constant in the lives of people with disabilities. Troy is a person who radiates style and charisma, along with audacious problem-solving abilities.  He also has Cerebral Palsy which is sometimes is abbreviated to CP. In Troy’s case  I think you will agree that it totally stands for “Cool Person”.

     

    Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust – Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangarei based disability advocacy organisation

  • A Different Light – 6th July 2024 – “ Nobody uses the ‘n word’ anymore”

    A Different Light – 6th July 2024 – Nobody uses the ‘n word’ anymore

    Nobody uses the ‘n word’ anymore. People long ago stopped using the word ‘gay’ in a derogative fashion. Society in general, thankfully, has a sense of language which is not appropriate in any circumstance. So, to put it mildly, I was shocked when I heard that an elected councilor wrote an expletive-laden rant to a neighbouring council in which he asked: “What the f**k are you r******d, s***** c   c***s doing?”. These words are so antiquated that some people on X (formally known as Twitter) have asked what the ‘s’ word was, including erstwhile Seven Sharper, Hilary Barry.  So, for those of you, who maintain a modern obliviousness like Hilary, the ‘s’ word was ‘spastic’ and ‘r’ word was, yes, unbelievably ‘retarded’.

    Personally, I find the word ‘spastic’ repulsive in a toe-curling way. Even when it’s articulated by a medical professional, I flinch, let alone a local body politician trying to make himself heard.

    Having lived with Cerebral Palsy all my life one could say I am hyper aware of the derogative nature of the word ‘spastic’. The last time I was called ‘spastic’ to my face was in the early 80’s at a Sweetwaters Festival by an intoxicated teenager, who said “look there’s a spastic”. Forty years later, here I am,  hearing it being used by an elected official. WTF!

    The Hamilton City councillor Andrew Bydder made the derogatory comments in an online submission to Waipā District Council over the placement of a third bridge in Cambridge where he lives. He doubled down when he was exposed- unapologetically opining that he was only sorry he had associated ‘retarded’ people with councilors. Thus, he further demonstrated his intent to use derogatively ableist language to deliver a corny school boy quip. It seems that he is so fixated on his right to freedom of speech, that he lacks all self -awareness of just how grossly insulting he is being to a large number of people.

    The Royal Commission of Inquiry, into the mosque shootings, recommended broadening a proposed Hate Speech Law to include religious groups. The proposed hate speech law was an opportunity to also protect other groups, such as members of the Rainbow community and disability groups. This Bill was halted by the former government last year. A pity! On a positive note, our new Minister of Disability Issues, Louise Upston, showed real leadership when she called out Bydder recently. She rebuked him saying, “Words matter, and using derogatory terms that are vulgar and disrespectful to the disability community just to get attention is not acceptable.”

     Historically, language has been used to oppress and marginalise disabled people. The word ‘handicap’ came from the days where disabled people had to beg to survive holding a ‘cap’ or hat in their hand, hence the word ‘hand-i-cap’. The word ‘lame’ is commonly used in sentiments such as “that idea was a bit lame” or “that was a bit of a lame duck”. It’s become so ingrained in our everyday language we don’t notice it.  So I guess it’s only fitting that we thank bigot  Bydder for bringing this filthy muck  out into the open again, to remind us that there’s often a need for a dirty old rug  to have a shake out into the daylight  once more.

    Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust – Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangarei based disability advocacy organisation

  • Kaitaia – 6th August 9.30am – 12.30pm – ACTIVISM training for disabled people

    Flyer downloadable:  Sue Bradford workshop flier 6Aug24K

    Kaitaia – 6th August 9.30am – 12.30pm – ACTIVISM training for disabled people,
    with Sue Bradford. Ideas and strategies to activate local and system change. Who is Sue Bradford? her bio is below. Who is this workshop for? People with Disabilities who want to see changes in our current local systems and keen to make a difference.
    The second session in Kaitaia will be a leadership session where potential leaders in the whaikaha space can work on specific areas of systems change. Both will be at no cost.
    Please email your interest to tessa@tiaho.org.nz or text 027 555 1297
    Bio on Sue Bradford:
    Sue Bradford grew up in a politically engaged family that deeply influenced her activism for causes such as anti-Vietnam War protests, anti-apartheid campaigns, and the feminist movement.
    Sue also championed issues such as workers’ rights, housing, and the environment. She was instrumental in advocating for the introduction of the minimum wage for youth and improved conditions for beneficiaries. Her dedication to these causes earned her respect across the political spectrum, even from those who disagreed with her views. Sue continues to advocate for systemic change to address social inequalities.
    Registrations are essential, please email: tessa@tiaho.org.nz or txt 027 555 1297

  • A Different Light – 8th June 2024 – “ The Budget could have been much worse ”

    A Different Light – 8th June 2024 – The Budget could have been much worse

    This weekend is the anniversary of my mother’s death. She died on Queens birthday. It’s now called called Kings birthday weekend (a little hard to get use to but we all seem to have embraced it). Speaking of mothers, we had a rerun over the 80’s mother of all budget that was Ruth Richardson’s baby. But was the budget 2024 really comparable? I know that there are a number of people who are very unhappy with the budget results. There are cuts to Maori development, the omission of 13 Cancer drugs that were promised and not being funded (although there seems to be a reactive u turn on this). First home buyers who were already struggling to raise a deposit having their grants whipped away.   The disability sector on the surface appears to have come out unscathed and supported with the allocation of 1.1 billion dollars over the next 4 years.

    I know Disability Support Services have been running into deficits in the past and this may not be an increase in reality. I know the devil is always in the detail but really, I feel somewhat relieved. Here is what other people have said in the sector. The New Zealand Disability Support Network CEO Peter Reynolds said, “We see the $1.1 billion allocated in the Budget to ‘address demand’ as code for meeting growth or inflation costs only. No-one’s support quality or availability will increase. It sounds like a lot of money but unfortunately it won’t cover providers’ cost increases for very long,”

    Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker said “the $1.1 billion over five years to address cost pressures for Whaikaha Ministry of Disabled People was urgently needed to ensure sufficient support for disabled people to participate in community. Many disabled people are simply doing their best to survive and have been devastated by recent abrupt changes to their delicately balanced support structures. I urge the Government to co-design supports for disabled people and remember, people have a right to contribute to their own advancement,” she said.

    When I asked the prominent and out spoken Disability Advocate Dr Huhana Heke for her take on the Budget, her response was “While I am pleased there is funding for disability, it is simply what’s already needed and with health and education cuts impacting disabled as well, especially as there is no effort to restore the funding they cut in March.  It is time disabled claim their autonomy and stand for Parliament to have our own voice for our communities.”

    Whilst I am very aware that New Zealand has a long way to go before we have a non-disabling society and that this will require significant resources I find myself taking a leaf from my mother’s book who was always the eternal optimist always finding a way to focus on the positive. The budget could have been far worse: to be honest I’m somewhat  I’m relieved.

    While recent increases in volume and inflationary pressures seem to be addressed by this Budget, there are still impairments unfunded such as ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Tourette’s, ADHD and Long Covid. Maybe we need to rethink how disability supports are funded. The support disabled people get from ACC when their disability is a result of an accident is gold plated in comparison to Whaikaha’s funded services. How about using the same model of levies?  How about a kickstart from ACC’s investment portfolio of over 47 billion dollars and their even greater stash of reserves?

    One can only hope…and keep taking a leaf out of my dear old mum’s book!

     

    Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust – Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangarei based disability advocacy organisation

     

     

  • A Different Light – 22nd June 2024 – “ Tiaho Trust offering social change and Leadership workshops to potential Disabled Leaders”

    A Different Light – 22nd June 2024 – Tiaho Trust offering social change and Leadership workshops to potential Disabled Leaders

    Despite the announcement from the Government in March about restrictions to the Purchasing Rules for Individualised Funding the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach is still front of mind in the Disability Sector.  EGL is a concept that endeavours to put disabled people and their whanau at the helm of deciding what services they need and how they will be delivered. The announcement has galvanised the disabled community to hold fast onto the EGL concept and remain captains of their own waka.

    At Tiaho Trust we have been working with communities to build capacity to take on the Enabling Good Lives approach in Northland. When, and if, the Government rolls out EGL in our neck of the woods, we will be as ready as we can. We have been using a community led development approach in which we listen to what issues disabled communities are having. and then support them in projects that address these issues. Through these projects, disabled leaders will be identified to form a Tai Tokerau EGL Regional Leadership group. These projects range from wanting public playgrounds with fenced areas to provide Autistic children who have a tendency to run away with a safe, inclusive play environment, to a network in Kaitaia who wish to establish an eco-friendly Residential and Respite Care facility. At one of the hui it was raised that disabled people didn’t have opportunities to meet socially and get to know each other. Troy Robertson organized a Masquerade Disco last Saturday, here is his message on Facebook: “Isaac and I attended a hui about the disability community a few months, one of the things people talked about was the lack of social events. So naturally, Isaac and I said, party!  I did not know what to expect as none of the many parties I’ve attended has not been for disabled people exclusively. However, when I saw everybody dancing and having a blast, it truly warmed my heart. I hope this event was the first of many more to come in Whangarei”. Another participant said “This initiative showcases how people with disabilities can enjoy and thrive in a welcoming environment, join in for a fun and memorable experience that truly enables good lives!”

    Rolling out EGL, will require major paradigm shift in the sector. In essence it is about social change. As such, Tiaho Trust will be offering workshops in social change and leadership to potential disabled leaders and whanau in Northland. The first training sessions will be delivered by veteran activist and former politician, Sue Bradford. Sue is a prominent New Zealander known for her extensive work in social justice, workers’ rights, and environmental causes. Her early activism focused on anti-Vietnam War protests, anti-apartheid campaigns, and the feminist movement.  She served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1999 to 2009. During her tenure, Bradford was known for her passionate speeches and effective legislative work. Beyond her political and activist roles, Sue Bradford has contributed to academia. She completed a Ph.D. in Public Policy from Auckland University of Technology, focusing on the relationship between activism and policy change. Throughout her life, Sue Bradford has remained a steadfast and influential figure in New Zealand’s political and social landscape. Her unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and environmental sustainability continues to inspire new generations of activists and policymakers.

    If any potential disabled leaders are interested in the Sue Bradford training or interested in being involved in the Tai Tokerau Regional EGL Leadership Group contact Tessa on tessa@tiaho.org.nz.

     

    Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust – Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangarei based disability advocacy organisation

  • ACTIVISM training for disabled people with Sue Bradford

    Sue Bradford workshop flier 26June24

    ACTIVISM training for disabled people with Sue Bradford.

    Bio on Sue Bradford: 

    Sue Bradford grew up in a politically engaged family that deeply influenced her activism for causes such as anti-Vietnam War protests, anti-apartheid campaigns, and the feminist movement. Her grassroots activism led to her becoming a founding member of the Auckland Unemployed Workers’ Rights Centre and the Auckland People’s Centre.

    Sue also championed issues such as workers’ rights, housing, and the environment. She was instrumental in advocating for the introduction of the minimum wage for youth and improved conditions for beneficiaries. Her dedication to these causes earned her respect across the political spectrum, even from those who disagreed with her views.

    Sue continues to advocate for systemic change to address social inequalities.

    The first session will be workshop-style with another leadership session a few weeks later, where potential leaders in the whaikaha space can work on specific areas of systems change. Both will be at no cost.

    Registrations are essential, please email: tessa@tiaho.org.nz or text  027 555 1297 to reserve a spot

    Kaitaia workshops

    There will also be workshops in the beginning of August and end of August, for Potential Disabled Leaders. If you would like to be part of this please email: tessa@tiaho.org.nz or text 027 555 1297

     

     

     

  • EGL Masquerade Disco – Disability event – 15 June 2024

    At a recent EGL hui it was raised that disabled people would like the opportunity to meet with each other in a social setting. A disabled friendly Masquerade disco will be held on Saturday the 15th June 2024 at the Crossfit Gym on Lower Dent Street commencing at 5:30pm. This is being organised by Troy Robertson and Isaac Watts with Taiho Trust support. For further information txt 021 0278 3636 or go to Tiaho Trust facebook where a link is provided.

    The link to this invitation is:

    https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=986125573522912&set=pb.100063764340442.-2207520000

     

  • A Different Light – 25th May 2024 – “The hunt was on for a new scooter”

    A Different Light – 25 May 2024 – The hunt for a new scooter

    We had envisaged frequent trips to the Waipu village when we were planning our move there from Ruakaka. There is a walkway near the street where we  were moving to. It goes through to a side street that is adjacent to the Waipu main drag. I planned on driving through the walkway on my scooter but there was a dog leg chicane type structure in place to stop motorbikes from entering the walkway. The Whangarei District Council removed it when I raised the issue of access to them. This was very responsive and much appreciated. I have never seen a motorbike ever go by the walkway, in fact the only motorbikes in Waipu are, middle aged bikers who mount their Harleys on Sundays for an excursion to the Pizza Barn for a late lunch.

    However, my plans for frequent village outings were somewhat fraughted by my extremely compact scooter that is designed to be supper light, easy to dismantle and reassemble and fit in your boot. While it does this very easily there are downsides. Each time I get on it, I feel like an over-sized chimpanzee on a tiny tricycle in a circus. I hear a  circus tune- perhaps the Benny Hill theme tune or the “Thunder And Blazes ”instrumentation (google it to get the idea) in my head every time I hop on it. It’s also somewhat unstable. I realised why there was a warning sticker on the scooter saying how important it was to have these small back wheels at the back extended. I learnt this lesson going up a small ramp at the Duke of Marlborough. The whole scooter tipped backwards and I almost did a backward roll. Luckily I am so use to falling backwards that over time, I’ve learnt to automatically to tuck my head forward avoiding many collisions between my skull and the ground. My wife Sally, rather heroically dove to the ground in an attempt to save me and unluckily gave herself a small fracture to a leg bone.

    The walkway to Waipu Village has a sideways slope with an electric fence on the upward side. When I go on the walkway on the Chimpanzee tricycle I try to counter the slope by leaning in towards the electric fence. As you can imagine this is somewhat perturbing and I have never run the walkway gauntlet solo.

    Last week I after much investigation, I purchased another scooter. I wanted to be able to go to the local shops on my own without the fear of being stuck in an aisle doing an Austin Powers 13-point turn. I also wanted to ride down the walkway without throwing myself into the electric fence. I was after a scooter that was stable enough to handle the walkway gauntlet and manoeuvrable enough to navigate the aisles of the local 4 Square and the butcher.

    After countless enquiries, Richard from the Independent Living, said he knew of two scooters that would fit the bill. He offered to drive them up from Auckland and give me a test drive and that if I did not want them there would be no obligation. He went an extra mile. At that point in time, I was fixated on a Pride Zero Turn model that promised outstanding manoeuvrability where you could turn on a dime.  Richard however counselled against the zero turn, pointing out that it had extremely small wheels and a very low ground clearance. True to his word Richard came to Waipu with two scooters and we did an extensive test run. Richard was very detailed and explicit in his instructions on how to drive a scooter. I said to him in a jocular manner that this wasn’t my first rodeo, however he was very conscientious in his instructions. We went down the walkway. We went to the butchers. We threaded effortlessly through the aisles of the Waipu 4 Square where I had not ventured before. I bought my first purchase, a bottle of tonic. I even went to the public toilet when the urge took a grip. Richard was giving me instructions on how to use the pedestrian crossing but as nature was seriously calling, I ploughed straight ahead.  The scooter ticked all the boxes and was purchased there and then.

    Last Saturday, Sally and I had brunch and perused various shops. At the end of our jaunt, Sally said “ I really enjoyed that, it’s what I envisaged when me moved here. You and me meandering around the village like couples do”.  I’m also looking forward to being able to go  on shopping forays buying eccentric food and drink at will, Sally however is not that enthusiastic about that prospect!

    Access to things that enhance interdependence and enable independence can make a huge impact to ones quality of life. Thanks Richard, for going that extra mile.

    Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust – Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangarei based disability advocacy organisation

     

  • A Different Light – 12th May 2024 – “Terrorist and Extremist Groups have decided that vulnerable and Disable people are fair game”

    A Different Light – 12th May 2024 – Terrorist and Extremist Groups have decided that vulnerable and Disable people are fair game

    I used to think disabled people had a free pass in certain areas. I thought we benefited from some sort of unwritten societal codes. That we were safe from attacks from various quarters, such as, for example politicians. Well Penny Simmonds the ex-Minister of Disability Issues certainly broke that code last month, when she dog whistled the disabled community by accusing us of spending Individualised Funding on lottery tickets, smokes and grog.

    There is a new attack, a new threat and this one is particularly ominous and pernicious. Apparently terrorist groups are targeting people with Intellectual Disabilities or on the Autism Spectrum in an attempt to radicalise them to commit heinous and violent crimes in their communities.

    Apparently there are literally thousands of pods of people trolling social media looking for individuals who are marginalised and isolated in society,  who may be susceptible to influence from extremist groups. Unfortunately, some disabled people fit that profile. The extremist’s goal is to coerce these susceptible people into committing acts of violent terrorism. Over the past month in Australia there has been three widely publicised incidents of stabbings. One was at a church where the suspect is believed to have been influenced by people who put him through a process of radicalisation through social media. A macabre article in the Australian Associated Press on the 19th April, published “A teenage boy facing a possible life term in prison for terrorism over the stabbing of a bishop has shown behaviour consistent with mental illness or intellectual disability, his lawyer has said.”

    This is in line with research that was conducted in the UK. An excerpt says “The risks associated with online radicalisation have increased, and in response, the UK Government’s White Paper, Online Harms (HM Government, 2019) highlights the risk of terrorist groups using the Internet to spread propaganda designed to radicalise vulnerable people. People with learning disabilities may have particular vulnerabilities to such risks such as having few support mechanisms, a tendency to acquiesce, misinterpreting social cues and often a need for friendships that can make them potential victims”.

    Explore Wellbeing which is a specialist wellbeing company owned by NZ Health Group, the biggest disability support provider in New Zealand, decided to front foot it and educate the disabled community on how to identify disabled people who are being targeted by extremist groups. Explore NZ, in partnership with Carers NZ and Autism NZ, have developed a resource Know The Signs. This  resource provides carers, families, whānau and friends with essential information to help them recognise the signs that a person they care for, support, or know,  may have been targeted. It pro ides advice  about what they can do to stop it from happening and how they can safely report it they have concerns. This resource can be downloaded from https://explorewellbeing.org.nz/

    So, no disabled people are not getting a free pass. Terrorist and extremist groups have decided that vulnerable and disabled people are fair game.  Society can be measured on how it protects their most vulnerable and evil presides when good people let it happen. If you know of people who are at risk of this unwanted influence use this resource to support them.

    Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust – Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangarei based disability advocacy organisation

  • A Different Light – 27th April 2024 – “I think I have still got some good conkers in my marble collection”

    A Different Light – 27th April 2024 – I think I have still got some good conkers in my marble collection

    He thought he had a motor car, but he only had a horn. It’s one of those lines that’s added subsequently after someone saying, “you know what thought did”? My dear old Aunty Alison used to naively say that and wondered why me and my brother Tim, would snicker uncontrollably.

    This week I had an appointment with a Dermatologist to look at my vasculitis. My doctor recommended I see a Dermatologist when the apocalyptic rash came on, she felt it was outside of her broad knowledge of health. The Health Coach at the practice rang around Dermatologists in Auckland and told me that there is an appointment available in Auckland to go privately. Apparently, appointments with Dermatologist are rare. They are in short supply. This was in early March and I was appalled by the length of time I would have to wait. Looking back I was somewhat naïve. Finally the 22nd April arrived. Sally and I decided to have a urban mini vacation and stay in Auckland for a night. Sally being a native West Aucklander was quite keen. We booked a hotel on Queen Street, knowing that there was a French restaurant next door that was reasonably priced and authentic. As we drove through Cove Rd/Mangawhai Rd detour, winding our way by the coast we started pontificating what the Dermatologist Dr Chin Yun-Lin would be like. I had looked at his photo and bio on the Skin Foundation website. He looked young. He looked surprised. We wandered if he had cosmetic surgery himself. His specialty interests include skin cancer, melanoma, dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, pigmentary disorders, cosmetic dermatology. As I was going privately I wanted value for money, I said to Sally “the first thing I am going to ask him is what experience have you had in Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis”. I then spent quite a bit of time practicing how to pronounce Leukocytoclastic. I was hoping he would tell me all kinds of important information that would heal my legs and bring them back to some kind normality. I was thinking of alchemist lotions and transformist supplements.   I wondered if it would be inappropriate to ask about shaving rash.

    We finally arrived at the Skin Foundation in Remuera. I went up to the reception and announced that I had an appointment with Dr Chin Yun-Lin. “Oh” the receptionist replied, “he’s not here”, I nearly coughed. My eyes started bulging. “What’s your name?”  Feeling a sense of rage building up,  I gave my name while scrolling through my phone looking for the email with the appointment on it, to produce evidence of my appointment and demand an explanation for Dr Chin Yun-Lin’s absence. I found the email and in a state of slow motion shock, I read the date was not the 22 of April, but the 22nd of JULY! I stood there blinking, what the hell! For some reason the minute I heard the Health Coach say April, it just stuck in my mind. When I got the email from the Skin Foundation, I obviously doggedly saw the date and ignored the month and thought it was April. We went back to the car, I was in a daze of self loathing and wondering if I had early set dementia. Sally however was optimistic and upbeat, “don’t worry” she said, “it was a good test run and now we get to have mini urban break and enjoy that French restaurant.” What was I thinking?  Well to reframe a negative into a positive it’s the thought that counts.

    Jonny Wilkinson is the CEO of Tiaho Trust – Disability A Matter of Perception, a Whangarei based disability advocacy organisation