Developments in New Zealand

By Robyn Hunt (robyn@iecho.co.nz)

Life Beyond 'Bugger'

'Life Beyond Bugger' is the quirky theme of the fledgling New Zealand Spinal Network's first conference 14 - 16 September.

Alan Clarke, who has paraplegia and who is senior rehabilitation advisor at the Burwood rehabilitation campus in Christchurch describes the theme as 'Bugger I hate it when that happens and then I get on with it.' He says that that is what rehabilitation is really about. It is an educative rather than a medical process

The conference is the first opportunity for spinal cord injured people, their carers and professionals in the field to gather and discuss practical ways to support independent living.

The network was established three years ago and has 500 members. The conference will be held in Christchurch.