Support our ‘Fighting Fund’
Most of us in the SCI community know about the inequity of support available between ACC clients and non-ACC clients. We’ve experienced it, witnessed it, heard about it … been incensed by it.
And most of us want to do something about it. The cause of your SCI shouldn’t affect the level of support you receive.
If we’re going to effect change in this unfair system we’re going to need an action plan, a team to help formulate and carry out the plan, the patience of Job and a ‘fighting fund’.
This list of requirements is based on our experience with Community-based Peer and Whānau Support funding.
We knew it was vital to support positive futures for those on the SCI journey. We had screeds of anecdotal evidence and shared experience. We had a plan. We had patience – it took years of consistently finding and talking to the ‘right’ people, at the right time. And then talking to the new right people at the right time whenever there was a change in management, Government, etc.
One of the most important steps we took – one that couldn’t be overlooked or easily dismissed – was to contract research into the qualitative and quantitative benefits of peer support. The results were clear. Proof positive of the link between peer support and positive life outcomes.
So the first step towards our big hairy audacious goal of equitable access to support – as needed, when needed, no matter how your SCI was incurred – is to commission a study into the reality of what’s happening now. Demonstrate the ‘hidden’ and ‘downstream’ impacts. Determine the economic, health and well-being cost. Paint a picture of what this inequity actually looks like.
Will this research suddenly cut through all the economic and political pallaver? No. Not in one fell swoop. But it WILL provide a quiet, insistent, intractable point of focus.
Like water dripping on rock.
A point of focus from which we can launch our requests, suggestions – perhaps even demands. And perhaps, like water on rock, effect real change where it may seem impossible.
Want to be part of this positive action? Donate to our ’fighting fund’ before May 28th. Give whatever is generous for you. And Milner Mobility will match it – yes, they’ll turn your generous donation into double the amount. They want YOUR donations to cost them $25,000.
Here’s how you can give now …
https://nzspinaltrust.org.nz/i-want-to-help/fundraise/let-me-donate-now/
Deposit direct to 03-1597-0101190-00 (Use YOUR NAME and PA2023 as the reference.)
Phone our office 03 383 6881 and we can help process your credit card donation.
