SNN_August 2023 Issue_web3

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 34
In addition to sales, they do adaptions on-site including
hand controls and left foot accelerators, plus chair lifts,
winches, etc. They also have a service bay and run a
rental vehicle service across several centres across the
country, working closely with ACC, OTs, funders and
clients to help achieve a win-win for everyone.
It’s a lot to be doing but their personal commitment to
providing a quality service is what gets them up each day.
“We’ve heard horror stories of people waiting for
months—years even—to have a vehicle adapted, and then
they finally get the car and it’s just not what they’d have
chosen for themselves. Why should the buying experience
be so different for someone because they’re using a chair?
I get to go to a showroom and look at my options, take
them out for a test drive, compare the pros and cons …
we want to provide that same level of opportunity and
service for wheelchair users. And just as I might try out a
vehicle at one sales yard but eventually buy from another,
we understand not everyone’s going to be able to buy from
us … but we’re committed to ensuring they have the same
opportunities as able-bodied folk to see what their
options are.”
HISTORY—Rod Milner imported his first wheelchair accessible vehicle
almost 30 years ago to give his wife and family more independence.
What you do is your history.
What you set in motion is your legacy.
A spinal cord impairment—whether it happens through injury or
illness—can be a sudden life changing event. It can feel as though your
life has stopped. It can be challenging, confronting, daunting, scary.
It can also be the start of a new, positive, unexpected and fulfilling
life journey.
A decision to include a gift in your Will for the work of the NZ Spinal
Trust supports people across Aotearoa NZ as they learn to embrace
a positive future with spinal cord impairment.
If you are considering writing or amending your Will and would like
an information brochure on how to include NZST, please email
Su Marshall (su.marshall@nzspinaltrust.org.nz).
If you would like to chat about who we are and who a bequest
would support, please contact Hans Wouters, CEO
(hans.wouters@nzspinaltrust.org.nz) or phone 03 383 6881
www.nzspinaltrust.org.nz
Te Tarahiti Manaaki Tuanui
“Having the Trust there to help navigate those first
few weeks or even the first few months was just
incredible, because it’s extremely overwhelming.”