10,000 young disabled assisted by society

Press, 22 May 1978, Page 13

10,000 young disabled assisted by society

Yesterday marked the start of Crippled Children Week—a week set aside to publicise the role of the New Zealand Crippled Children Society. Almost 10.000 young disabled people throughout New Zealand are assisted by the society, a voluntary organisation dedicated to helping these youngsters lead full and normal lives. However, it is believed that many more physically disabled young people are not registered with the society, frequently because parents are unaware of the support and encouragement available. This, then, is the primary aim behind the national publicity and this feature.

Each of the society’s 32 branches and sub-branches is undertaking its own special promotional activities.

Open day at Centre The highlight of the programme organised by the Canterbury and West Coast Branch will be its open day on Thursday. The public are invited to

visit the society’s centre at 27 Kilmarnock Street, Riccarton, to watch the young people at work and play. The secretary/manager (Mr G. O. Ellis) hones that this week’s open day will attract more visitors than in previous years when he found the response disappointing. In the past, open days were held on Fridays and Mr Ellis is confident that the change to Thursday will prove more convenient to the public. The local activities begin tomorrow with the arrival of the great athlete, Mr Murray Halberg. He will visit the School for the Physically Disabled in Worcester Street and later watch a swimming lesson

for disabled children at the Wharenui pool. A display of handicrafts by the centre’s young people will be exhibited at the Riccarton Mall that same day. On Wednesday a booth will be set up in Cathedral Square to draw attention to the recreational activities now offered to the disabled. Many have taken up such sports as horseriding, archery, ski-ing and athletics, or joined Outward Bound courses, swinging on ropes and travelling by flying fox.

On Saturday, Mr Ivan Hawkey, of Christchurch, will complete an eight-day run from Picton to Christchurch to help advertise Crippled Children Week. This is the third year in succession Mr Hawkey has initiated a solo road run in an effort to repay the society for help his family received when he was a child.

Mr Hawkey who is being sponsored by several firms and individuals, is expected to arrive outside the Town Hall at 10 a.m. where he will be met by the Deputy Mayor (Mr P. J. R. Skellerup). The publicity now being given to the physically disabled is certainly benefiting their status in the community, according to society spokesmen.

Change in attitudes

Mr Ellis believes there has been a radical change in public attitudes within the last few years. “Not too long ago people tended to shy away from the needs of the disabled,” he said.

“Now the community is beginning truly to accept disabled people in its midst and to realise they have something positive to contribute to society.”