SNN_August 2022 Issue_web low res

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 34
ACADEMICS: Julianne Johns (Research Assistant) with Dr. Johnny Bourke.
Canterbury Medical Research Foundation Inaugural
Emerging Researcher Fellowship
We are delighted to announce that Dr Johnny Bourke of
the Burwood Academy Trust was recently announced the
recipient of the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation
inaugural Emerging Researcher Fellowship.
Dr Bourke is incredibly grateful to receive the fellowship
and excited to begin his project which aims to identify
what makes a quality relationship between disabled
people and support workers.
He explains: “Without good quality disability support
workers, disabled people can’t live all aspects of their
lives, from getting dressed to getting about the
community and everything in between.
“As someone who lives with a high-level spinal injury who
requires support workers, I’ll often ask people to imagine
having a person in your life almost all day and having to
ask them to complete almost every task you wish to do.
“Having a clear understanding of what works for who can
help us to ensure everybody feels valued and
supported—from the working conditions for support
workers to the quality of life for disabled people.
“We know the disability support workforce sector is under
increasing pressure. Disability support workers are
—Dr Johnny Bourke
For the majority of people
with SCI, pain is an everpresent
issue.
undervalued and finding good quality support workers is
becoming harder and the number of people requiring
them is increasing.
Ultimately, by understanding what works for everybody,
we hope to help build a more resilient and positive
support worker sector.”
Dr Bourke’s research will be conducted over 12 months
beginning in July 2022.
For updates on these and other Burwood Academy Trust
projects underway and Peer Group recordings, visit
www.burwood.org.nz