Apathy on Envicon units

Press, 7 May 1983, Page 9

Apathy on Envicon units

Public apathy has frustrated fund-raising efforts to buy home-help aids for the severely disabled. Two South New Brighton, women Mrs Neroli Endacott and Mrs Helen Beresford, have been trying with little success to raise money for the “Envicon 10” units, an environmental-control system designed by a Christchurch electronics expert, Mr David Sintes. ‘Each unit costs about $l5OO. It can be adapted so that even the blink of an eye can control up to 10 electrical appliances such as the radio, television, light, heater and nurse call. < Mrs Endacott said she knew of at least 10 people in Christchurch who needed one of the machines immediately but could not afford the cost. One of them

was an arthritic man whom she visited with the Envicon 10. “The worst part was letting him try it and then turning round and having to take it away,” she said. The women had written dozens of letters to service, social, and sports clubs but received only one reply. A fund-raising cabaret evening planned this month also had to be cancelled because of lack of interest. However, help has come from other quarters. The Accident Compensation Commission has agreed to pay for one unit, which went to a Burwood paraplegic couple, Mr Tom Noble and his wife, Tina. • Mrs Endacott said it was hoped that other accident victims who needed the Envicon 10 would be covered

by the A.C.C. in the same way and get machines. The Social Welfare Department was also considering setting aside funds to buy units for multiple-scel-erosis sufferers and others crippled by diseases. They needed to be covered by accident compensation before applying for department funds. Mrs Endacott said that that still left border-line cases which did not fit into either category. Public donations were needed to buy units for these people. The Co-ordination Council for the Handicapped would then be able to allocate them on permanent loan to disabled people who would not otherwise be able to afford the cosst. The council already has one unit given by a local businessman.