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NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 8 Henry found out about wheelchair rugby through a person he met while in the Spinal Unit recovering from his injury. “He said: 'Come and have a go'… I went and had a look, and looked at him and said: 'you're crazy'. “The things they were doing were unbelievable. You know, these guys were smashing each other, falling out of chairs and these guys were crazy. —Henry Matthews I tell them to expect to grieve as they learn their new life. “I was going like, ‘you’ve broken your necks mate, why would you go and smash yourself around like that?’” But Henry soon fell in love with the physical intensity of the sport. He was hooked. He got involved in the Wheel Blacks development squad in the mid-1990s and has since gone on to play and coach in various parts of New Zealand. He tries to pass on that same advice to others he meets in his Peer and Whānau Support role. Henry’s only background in the disability sector was his involvement in wheelchair rugby. “I was nominated for this position as I’m known for liking to chat with others and helping where I can,” he says with a smile. “I’ve been in a chair 32 years so have a lot of knowledge to pass on.” He admits leaving the Spinal Unit for the outside world is a challenging step. “Life will be different when you get home, the Spinal Unit is very accessible and supported but, back home in the community, things can be very different,” he says. “I also tell them to expect to grieve as you learn your new life.” Henry is speaking from experience. Even now, 32 years on, he can vividly remember the day of his accident. “It was 29 December, 1990. I remember being on the beach, in lots of pain waiting for an ambulance as the helicopter was busy. I couldn't tolerate light, and I didn't want my family to see me like this.” He says it is great to see how New Zealand has changed with regards to support for those with a spinal cord impairment. And it is a huge privilege to be part of helping people with an SCI. “Peer Support is important so the newly injured know there is support out there and that they are not alone,” he says. “It's good to know ACC are behind the Peer Support programme and are looking out for everyone whether newly injured or been in a chair along time.” He says it’s important whatever stage of your journey to be mindful of others. “My advice is to treat others with respect, we need them more now and they are just doing their jobs. Treat your family with respect, they are grieving too.” HAPPY TO HELP: Henry is a natural fit to be a successful Peer Support worker. “I wish I had listened more” What advice would you give your 18-year-old self when you first arrived in the Spinal Unit, scared and unsure about your situation? When the doctors told me I would never walk again it affected me emotionally and mentally. I was sad, frustrated, hurt and used to get mad easily. I didn't know what was going to happen when I was admitted to the Ōtara Spinal Unit. Looking back, I wish that I had listened more to the people around me. But I was given a second chance at life, I met Sue at Ōtara Spinal Unit in 1991, and we married on November 16, 1997. We have two daughters Zhané (24) and Anahera (13). If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know where I’d be. Probably six feet under, I don’t know. We’ve been married for 25 years now, and I've been in a chair for almost 32 years. So yeah, a lot of love there. I started playing wheelchair rugby in 1994 when I was living in Auckland, it was great for an outlet and to be socially involved with a group of people who had the same physical issues as me. It’s where I've learnt a lot about life in a chair from others who had the same life experiences. The NZ Spinal Trust’s fundraising efforts will ensure that Peer Support is also available to non-ACC clients. All support provided is free of charge.
SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 9 SpeediCath ® Flex is the hygienic intermittent catheter choice The soft-squeeze grip provides more control when guiding the catheter in and out The resealable design allows for hygienic disposal The dry sleeve surrounding the catheter of SpeediCath Flex allows for a no-touch technique Call today to enquire about your free sample of SpeediCath Flex 0800 265 675 Coloplast Pty Ltd, PO Box 240, Mount Waverley, VIC 3149 Australia www.coloplast.com.au The Coloplast logo is a registered trademark of Coloplast A/S. ©2020-06 CON790. All rights reserved Coloplast A/S
Page 1 and 2: August 2022 Volume 25 / Issue 2 Te
Page 3 and 4: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 3 Leaving a Leg
Page 5 and 6: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 5 Supporting Po
Page 7: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 7 Putting His H
Page 11 and 12: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 11 THE DAY BEFO
Page 13 and 14: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 13 “Jamie is
Page 15 and 16: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 15 such as Silk
Page 17 and 18: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 17 —Trevor Ha
Page 19 and 20: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 19 An Almighty
Page 21 and 22: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 21 Meet Our Tea
Page 23 and 24: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 23 2022 NEW DAT
Page 25 and 26: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 25 Going home w
Page 27 and 28: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 27 Outdoors kid
Page 29 and 30: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 29 Telling it l
Page 31 and 32: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 31 Road Trip Ha
Page 33 and 34: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 33 Pain and SCI
Page 35 and 36: SPINAL NETWORK NEWS 35 Thank you to

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