SNN August 2019 online

A Home Away From Home
By Zahra Shahtahmasebi
“
But what created that
amazing atmosphere?
Hands down, it was the
staff. The NZST team are
an absolute credit to the
organisation, and Prof
Clarke’s legacy would
never live on if not for
each and every one of
these amazing individuals.
Zahra Shahtahmasebi
Zahra Shahtahmasebi grew up in the happy environment of the NZST, alongside her Mum Bernadette Cassidy.
an absolute testament to the staff’s
integrity and dedication that they are
still running that same successful
and inclusive service out of two
small portacoms – no small feat.
People often talk about having a
second home, whether that be a
relative’s or friend’s house, or just
somewhere dear to their heart.
For me, that place has always
been my mum’s work place.
Granted, this might seem a bit
unusual, but I can explain.
My mum started work with the New
Zealand Spinal Trust as the Library
Manager in 2002, not long after my
family and I moved to New Zealand
from the U.K. I was five at the time.
I can’t even really remember
the first time I went to the
Allan Bean Centre (ABC).
But the one thing that sticks with
me is what a wonderful organisation
the New Zealand Spinal Trust is.
Simply put, the NZST is an incredibly
inclusive, dynamic and respectful
organisation, somewhere I’ve always
felt welcome. Even as a child I was
never considered a nuisance (that
I know of!), and the ABC had this
comfortable and inviting atmosphere.
There was Meesa, Claire’s lovely dog,
and Alfie the cat, who would roam
around the Spinal Unit and often pop
his head into the ABC for a pat.
This in itself amazed me -
animals in the workplace? Sign
me up for a job right now!
But what created that
amazing atmosphere?
Hands down, it was the staff. The NZST
team are an absolute credit to the
organisation, and Prof Clarke’s legacy
would never live on if not for each and
every one of these amazing individuals.
I often like to remark that there was
a period of time where I pretty much
‘lived’ at the Allan Bean Centre. My dad
was overseas for work, which meant
during the latter part of my primary
schooling and early high school
years, I was in and out a lot. From
after school to school holidays, you
name it, you’d likely find me here.
In 2014 the Allan Bean Centre was
closed down, and later demolished.
This event was absolutely devastating
to the team, and was a loss I felt keenly.
However, the most amazing thing is
that despite the turmoil and uncertainty
they have faced in the last five years,
the organisation has not changed a
bit. The NZST is still fighting, and it is
That’s what it boils down to, I guess.
Every single person at the NZST is so
invested in achieving the organisation’s
goals. There is so much respect, and
love and each member is valued for
the work and services they provide.
They care about their work, but
most of all they care about people.
This was shown in the way my
mum’s colleagues have always
invested in me. Never could I have
imagined a group of adults to be so
interested in a child like myself.
At age 12, the introduction of a
Nintendo Wii in the library saw Arron
Perriam, former Kaleidoscope manager,
become my tennis rival. We had a
much anticipated showdown in which
everyone gathered around to watch.
Not boasting at all, but I kicked butt.
Needless to say Arron took losing to
a pre-teen pretty bad – he put salt
in my tea! Later making it up to me
by buying me lunch. Despite this,
we have managed to put our rivalry
aside to become great friends. It was
a sad time for me and the rest of the
team when he decided to leave the
Trust just a couple of years later.
Rivalries and competitions seem to
be a recurring theme as I later took
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