Western News: May 03, 2016

4
Tuesday May 3 2016
WESTERN NEWS
neighbourhood NEWS News tips? Email georgia.oconnor@starmedia.kiwi or phone 371 0781
Amputee’s story told
FRASER WALKER-PEARCE
When Trixie Wuts was born
her parents had a very difficult
decision to make whether or not
to amputate both of her legs to the
knee.
On the advice of
medical professionals,
Trixie’s parents Anton
and Margot Wuts decided
amputation was
the best solution.
Their experience
has been documented
in a children’s book
that they wrote, called
Little Jellybean.
It is being distributed
by the Amputee
Society of Canterbury
and Westland to help
families facing a
similar choice.
The society
helped get a $5000 grant for the
publishing and distribution of the
book from the Artificial Limb
Service.
Trixie was diagnosed with distal
arthrogryposis before she was
born, meaning she had crooked or
hooked joints in her feet.
She had many procedures done
when she was born, which attempted
to correct the deformities
in both of her feet, but they were
largely unsuccessful.
The surgery however, was and
Trixie now “leads a full and active
life” with her new feet.
Amputee Society of Canterbury
and Westland president Mark
Bruce said the more families that
can be reached with the book, the
better.
“It’s about raising
awareness for parents
in a situation where
their child is very
unwell. The story
is mainly about the
parents having to make
an incredibly tough
decision to help their
children,” he said.
Mr Bruce said the
book will become an
invaluable source for
those looking for support.
“If you have a young
one with an amputation
or have a young one about to undergo
an amputation then this is a
great resource.
“The future of the federation is
in its youth . . . If we can affect
just one family with the help of
this book, then it’s been a worthwhile
venture,” he said.
The society are making copies
of the book available from
their national and regional coordinators,
who can be contacted
on www.af.org.nz.
NEW LOCATION ADVERT.pdf 1 1/05/2014 11:51:35 a.m.
SVA calls on helping hands
for tree planting campaign
BY ALEX LIM
About 190 Canterbury
University staff, students and
community members joined
forces to plant 2000 native
trees as part of the nation-wide
campaign.
The Student Volunteer Army
recruited help to plant the trees
at Woodend Beach Holiday
Park as part of the Serve for NZ
campaign it started on the fifth
anniversary of the February
2011 earthquake.
It was started to mobilise
people of all ages to contribute
one hour of community service
and coincided with Anzac Day
this year.
As of April 23, 4261 individuals
have pledged 6249 hours
of community service.
The tree planting is part of
a five-year planting scheme
where future forest giants like
kahikatea, totara and matai
were planted.
Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara Trust
general manager Greg Byrnes
said native trees like kahikatea
were the fruit baskets of the
forest that reduced soil erosion
LEAD BY EXAMPLE: SVA legacy project co-ordinator Shirana
Rengasamy (left) leads and serves at the same time. Right:
International student Nur Sarah Sahira binti Mohd Nasir does her
bit.
PHOTOS: ALEX LIM
and preserved the eco-system.
Matai and kahikatea could
live beyond 600 years while
totara could be around for
2000 years.
“We are planting for the millennium,”
Byrnes said.
Project Crimson Trust donated
the trees,
SVA legacy project coordinator
Shirana Rengasamy
said: “It is pretty awesome
that we can leave behind
something that will continue to
grow and be around for future
generations.”
VISIT OUR NEW LOCATION LOCATION
430 ST ASAPH STREET!
RECOVER YOUR LOVED FURNITURE
No job too big or small
NEW & RECYCLED
CLOTHING
SHOPS AT:
14 Yaldhurst Rd, Ph 03 341 5379
251 Ferry Rd, Ph 03 381 3089
94 Victoria St, Rangiora, Ph 03 310 7421
Open: Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm, Sat 10am-2pm
Hours of Business: 7am-4.30pm Mon-Thurs
Fri 8am to midday
or by appointment with Keith 027 566 3909
Still able to offer
you the finest top
quality new furniture
Visit us online
www.qualityfurniture.co.nz
P. 371 7500
SUPER STORE:
320 Manchester Street (Bealey Ave end)
Phone 03 365 2051.
Clothes, shoes, whiteware, furniture,
linen and homeware.
Open: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-3pm
Donations of furniture and homewares
welcome during shop hours.
QUALITY FURNITURE SPECIALISTS
RE - UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS KEITH HARTSHORNE 0275 663 909
Previously
United Travel
Sandra Toland
Managing Director
Tower Junction
20141031 - Dyson ad (Chch Star) 64x90.indd 1 31/10/14
Same People, Same Passion,
Different Name.
YOU Travel Ferrymead
Unit 5, 960 Ferry Road 03 384 2700
melissa@youferrymead.co.nz
Melissa Landrebe
Owner/Operator
Ferrymead
YOU Travel Tower Junction
3/4 Troup Drive, Addington 03 341 8965
sandra@youtowerjunction.co.nz