A very warm welcome to Visible Difference Aotearoa

Tēnā koutou katoa,

This week we are delighted to launch our website! The website functions as a base for access to resources and to register with the organisation to begin to build a strong and resilient community. It is exactly one year since we were officially registered on the NZ Charities Register so this is a great anniversary to launch on. 

March is a busy month for visible differences with multiple awareness campaigns. Its Rare Disorders month with many events on around the country. Take a look out for the lights around the motu - in Auckland on the Sky Tower on the 30th and the harbour bridge on the 30-31st, in Dunedin on Toitū Otago Settlers Museum and many more. The Rare Disorders NZ Charity is hosting a research day in collaboration with Victoria University and our board will be attending to get updates on issues and research opportunities relevant to the Visible Difference Aotearoa community. 

Facial palsy awareness week was celebrated during 1-7 March. Take a look at the amazing resources the UK based charity facialpalsy.org.uk have put together to support those with facial palsy. There is a long way to go but we have some great advocacy here in Aotearoa with a new publicly funded facial palsy service. Visible Difference Aotearoa has been instrumental in advocating for the support and training of the first specialist facial palsy physiotherapist in the country who is working alongside a multidisciplinary team of specialists at Hutt Hospital. 

World Down Syndrome Day has just been celebrated for the 14th year in a row with a 'rock your socks' day at many schools and workplaces. Take a look at some of these films with talented actors with Down syndrome: Poppy, The Peanut Butter Falcon, Champions, and Ride Like a Girl. 

We received a heads up from a new Visible Difference Aotearoa (VDA) member that the wording on a hospital pamphlet handout was not supportive or inclusive to all those with a specific visible difference. This pamphlet has been removed from circulation and VDA is providing guidance on how to improve the new version. 

Our first ' My Story ' is on the way, let us know if you'd like to share yours. Every story has value and every story helps bring the Visible Difference Aotearoa community together. 

Kei ō ringaringa te ao (The world is yours)

Emily