SNN_August 2023 Issue_web

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 24
Life is but a journey and
you only have one shot at
it, so you better give it a
pretty damn good shot.
Giving back
—Dr Richard Smaill
Richard has voluntarily been involved in a variety of
charitable organisations at a governance level. He was a
trustee and then Chair of the Board of Trustees for the St
John of God Services (2001-2005), trustee and Chair of the
New Zealand Spinal Trust for many years (2002-2020)
trustee of Burwood Academy Trust for 10 years, and
trustee on the Waimairi School Board (1998-2004).During
his period as Chair of the NZST he was a mentor and friend
to CEOs Andrew Hall and Ben Lucas. As board member of
BAT, he provided support and advice to researchers.
“We mourn a great man whose work and legacy will live
on for many years to come. Rest in peace Rich,” says Hans
Wouters, the NZ Spinal Trust CEO. “Richard leaves
behind a lifetime of work where he helped others.”
Around 2008 Richard, the then Chair of Board of
Trustees, and Andrew Hall who was CEO, conceptualised
an innovative service. It would see people with an SCI
receiving assistance and support to return to the
community by putting them in contact with other people
with an SCI as well as following up on how well they were
doing. It was also envisaged that those people who had
lived with an SCI for many years could be contacted to see
how they were going.
This vision came to life. Last year a nationwide network of
Peer and Whānau Support workers was created. It has been
run by the NZ Spinal Trust and Spinal Support NZ in a
two-year pilot funded by ACC, and been hugely successful.
Richard’s philosophy on living with an SCI.
“Life is but a journey and you only have one shot at it, so
you better give it a pretty damn good shot. You need to
make the most of every day. It gets harder as you get older.
I am coming up to 62 [at the time of talking to him] and I
am finding that it’s not my biological age, it is my age
since the injury.
Hamish Ramsden’s tribute
to his good mate.
When did I meet him? Hell I can’t remember when,
He had a presence about him a certain Zen,
Although he wasn’t one to worry about that,
He didn’t have to pretend.
His knowledge and wisdom could not be surpassed,
He would happily offer it when he was asked,
This didn’t mean that he would hold back and not a
comment make,
There was no chance of him being called a fake,
He had his accident many years ago,
But that did not mean he put his life on slow,
He went back to school a teenage boy at the time,
The effort to do this would have been prime,
Years passed and he married Paulette a joy to behold,
Then Tim and Jess were to join the fold,
A family unit with one to explore,
A house in Wanaka let them do it some more,
Working hard and involved in the health sector,
A PhD was to entice him more work don’t you fear,
A doctor he became would he study any more?
Hell no he said on those resources he would not again
have to call
In the latter years a regular lunch we would take,
He was always there that appointment he would
not forsake,
Sometimes grumpy, sometimes happy as well,
But it was important to him for us friends all to gel,
His drive his determination always looking to do good,
He had it in spades you didn’t have to look for it under
the hood,
So when did I meet him that answer I will have to sever,
As with good friends you feel like you have known
them for ever.
The research shows that time since your injury has more
of an impact than your biological age because you are
sitting down, your bones aren’t as strong, you are more
prone to arthritis, more prone to obesity which leads to
cardiovascular problems and respiratory problems.
All of that is a result of the fact you can’t physically
exercise in the same way. But you can live a full life—it is
all up to you.”
GOOD MATES—Dr Richard Smaill leaves behind
a lifetime of work where he helped others.