Hospital survival kit

Hospital survival kit

June 1, 2018

A lot is said about civil emergencies and survival kits. At Wellington’s May meeting, member, Adrienne, showed us all how to how to draw up a hospital kit. She realised when she was a guest of the nurses and doctors that many things she would like to have had with her weren’t to be found. And so, she drew up her own hospital survival kit; those things that sit on a shelf within easy reach at home, taken for granted, but which aren’t to be found in hospital. Any bag or small suitcase can be loaded with the kit, to
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President’s annual report 2018

June 1, 2018

I hope that you are all keeping warm at this time of year, with plenty of layers, a warm home and don’t forget to exercise to your ability. We are all different on this one. We had sad losses of members this year. We will remember them all in our hearts. I hope that you are all coping. It is difficult and we all cope in different ways, Remember that we are all here to support each other. We also have members experiencing difficult times with their scleroderma. Our thoughts and support are with you all. I thank the committee
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Managing foot pain

May 23, 2018

Living with painful arthritis in your feet? Can’t find comfortable shoes? Learn more about managing foot pain and how to find the right footwear and shoe inserts. The webinar is led by Robyn Tuohy, Arthritis Educator, and Dr Keith Rome, Professor of Podiatry at AUT University.  
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Podiatry survey

February 23, 2018

We are surveying members to assess the needs of scleroderma patients in New Zealand. Currently there are at least three DHBs in New Zealand that provide a free podiatry service for scleroderma patients. Scleroderma New Zealand wants to encourage all DHBs to provide a free service for all scleroderma patients, as our foot health is most important. At present most of our scleroderma patients have to pay anything from $50 to $90 per private podiatry visit.
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President’s Report February 2018

February 23, 2018

Greetings to you all, it is still sunny and warm here in Wellington but we feel concerned for various places around NZ with the flooding and land slides. I hope that your all coping well with what ever comes your way and I hope that you stay safe. We have been saddened by the loss of one of our members Graham Aamodt here in Wellington, it was a sudden unexpected death. It has been a sad time, as he was a very jolly fellow. There will be a memorial notice later in this newsletter. We launched the podiatry survey on
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President’s Report August 2017

August 30, 2017

Hello all, well we have great hints of spring. The daffs are out and blossoms are standing out amongst the green native forest here in Wellington, along with quite a few spring bulbs, giving lots of vibrancy. Our membership is growing. We now have 144 members from North of Auckland to Invercargill. The new Christchurch group is doing well and meeting every couple of months and the Auckland Central group had their first meeting on the 27th of August. It will also meet every couple of months. Well done to both groups for getting together and supporting each other. Palmerston
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Paddling the Whanganui

Paddling the Whanganui

May 16, 2017

Support group member, Yvonne, doesn’t let scleroderma tie her down. Previously, she has reported from the back of a pushbike in the wilds of Otago. This time, it’s from the river rapids. Eight people, four canoes. One unforgettable journey. We put our canoes into the Whanganui River at Taumarunui, and pulled them out for the final time at Pipiriki, 5 days and 145km later. The Whanganui is a small river where our trip began, passing through farmland and gradually into native bush. That first day was a mixture of fear, exhilaration and laughter, as we learnt to control our canoes
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President’s Report May 2017

May 16, 2017

Winter is on its way, but we still have the odd day that is quite mild and pleasant. Firstly thank you all for your support at the National seminar here in Wellington this past weekend. We had some long distance travellers amongst us, Dipton in the deep South, Nelson, Palmerston North, Wairarapa, Kapiti Coast, Auckland and our folk from Wellington. Thank you to all of you for your help on the day, helping it run smoothly and the generous morning and afternoon teas, that Adrienne Burleigh, Tina Mclean and Sandra Forsyth put together for us. We had some very special
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President’s Report February 2017

February 14, 2017

It has been a very unsettled summer so far and I am keeping my fingers crossed for some more heat for February. We have had a small taste of it here in Wellington this week. It has been a busy time for Gordon and me on a personal note with four flower shows since September with our last one on the 4th & 5th of February, which was a begonia, fuchsia and dahlia show, a lot of work and support from all the good folk in Wellington and Lower Hutt and beyond. Barbara Spavin did very well in her flower
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Holiday Happiness

Holiday Happiness

February 10, 2017

Have scleroderma – will travel – Barbara’s Asian and European adventure Armed with trepidation and a 3-litre click-clack of medication I went through customs. “Put your things on the conveyor belt, shoes off, belt off, jacket off, wait, get scanned, then proceed.” Then, plonk your butt onto a seat and put them all back on. Through the first check point – there were to be many more. I took a lot of medication for the 5-week trip. I took an extra week’s worth because you just never know. Travelling on Air New Zealand I thought the seats were very hard. I
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