Last week, the local community gathered at The Palms Shopping Centre in Christchurch New Zealand to show their support and raise awareness for NZ Spinal Trust and Spinal Cord Injury by participating in a wheelchair obstacle course to help relieve the pressure.
Every week at least three New Zealanders are paralysed by a spinal cord injury. The New Zealand Spinal Trust (NZST) and The Palms Shopping Centre partnered together to help ‘relieve the pressure’, by raising awareness and funds for the annual World Spinal Cord Injury Day as well as hosting a wheelchair obstacle course to round off the week long appeal which raised a total of NZ$14,000.
Centre Managers, Emma Smith from The Palms Shopping Centre and Steve Ellingford from Bayfair Shopping Centre also spent an entire day in a wheelchair while managing the mall to show support and generate awareness earlier that week. The obstacle course aimed to show the public the complexity behind everyday obstacles that people with injury or impairment faced. The course involved activities such as weaving through cones, holding a glass of water and even pushing a trolley.
Emma Smith says she is thankful that The Palms was approached by the NZ Spinal Trust. “I have decided to do a day in the wheelchair to challenge myself on what the impact of a spinal cord injury could be. I think it will be helpful to realise the complexity for some people of everyday tasks that we often take for granted. The Palms is indeed very grateful for this partnership and the opportunity touse ourpublic platform to generate conversation and celebrate inclusivity.”
Hans Wouters, CEO at NZ Spinal Trust, says he is grateful for the support from The Palms. “Every year in New Zealand approximately 150 people are diagnosed with spinal cord impairment (SCI) through injury, medical or congenital causes. While life expectancy has improved for people with SCIs there are other complexities regarding people’s self-management of the impairment. At NZ Spinal Trust we provide a community that supports and cares deeply about independent living. With the help of The Palms Shopping Centre, we can show New Zealanders the impacts of having a spinal cord injury, as well as raise vital funds – eighty percent of NZST funding comes from donations and grants.”
Mike Brown, Marketing Manager at NZ Spinal Trust, says, “When I was 35 years old I had an accident and now use a wheelchair. As someone who has been through this, I understand the pressure on individuals, their families, and friends. It is so important that we continue the conversation and help communicate the effects of having a spinal cord injury while promoting disability inclusion. It can often be lonely, scary and isolating for people, which is why we want to let them know that NZ Spinal Trust has the resources. We are real people with real stories, and we are there for them when they need help or advice.
Highlights video: https://www.facebook.com/NZSpinalTrust/videos/233761427485285/
