News

When we recently talked to spouses/partners of members with Parkinson’s, we were asked if we would consider opening the Society gym for all spouses/partners. This is not possible, so instead we have a few ideas on where you might be able to do more exercise. The Christchurch City Council has several leisure centres across the…

Bathroom falls are the most common ACC claim for older people but it’s easy to stand up to this risk as many falls can be prevented. Simple adjustments can reduce your chances of falling. Being confident on your feet and having a plan just in case you do fall are important as a fall, or…

Shower and bath areas are potential safety hazards due to the unavoidable wet and slippery surfaces. However, the addition of a few simple items can make these areas safer. People of all ages can benefit from non-slip mats (from $20) which prevent slips and falls by providing traction for your feet when they are wet.…

Outward Bound are offering scholarships for their next Aspire course that cover 80% of the registration fee. This is a specially adapted low-impact course for people aged 27+ who have a physical limitation; past participants include people with early onset MS, arthritis, joint replacements and back injuries. Aspire is an 8-day course where you’ll get…

MSNZ has opened applications for the Dorothy L Newman Scholarship which assists people who, as a result of having been diagnosed with MS, are unable to continue in their present employment and need to retrain in order to change their occupation. Applications are open solely to people with MS needing to retrain for paid employment.…

By Mary Kingston, Member Last year my MS had deteriorated to a point that it was unsafe for me to drive. Rachel, one of the Society’s cool physios guided me through the application process to apply for a Lottery Board Grant. It was a slow process but finally my application for car hand controls, wheelchair…

Since forever, men from Kaitaia to Bluff have been disappearing into their sheds to fix things, get creative, or simply to recharge after a full day. But over the past few years the traditional concept of the men’s shed has undergone a revolution and nowadays men of all ages and abilities are heading to the…

The Society’s School Holiday Programme added a bit of extra mid-winter fun for the 46 children and 35 adults who attended it. Funded by a grant from the Christchurch City Council, the programme featured a mid-week creative activity and lunch at the Society and a trip to the cinema the following week. The Plaster Ornament…

Step out of Spring and into Summer with the Society’s Footloose Fun Walk! This year the event will be held on Sunday 2 November in Hagley Park, with the walk beginning at 10.30am. Held during Parkinson’s Awareness Week to highlight the need to stay as active as possible, the Fun Walk is open to all…

One of our Physiotherapists, Jessie Snowdon, has recently resigned from her current role. She has asked for the chance to say farewell. This month marks eight years since I started working at the Society. During this time I have met hundreds of people who have been affected by MS or Parkinson’s; some I have met once…