April 2018

Re t reat Goi n g F o rw ard

Gordon is Walking on Air
One of the goals set
by conference last

– and loving every minute

year and adopted
by the Board as part of its
Strategic Plan was to start
holding retreats along the
For the first time in his 62 years onHouchen is But one
a rural of set
haven theinmost shocking
five acres things
of gardens and is the
native
Australian model. Board bush with abundant
relative
bird life,
absence
ten minutes
of airport.
drive from the
pain. For so long it has
centre of
Earth, Gordon
member Sue Griffin has Jackman is coming toHamilton and ten minutes from the
been something that he had to live with in
terms with the concepts
taken responsibility for this of walking
order to get on with life.
and standing.
considerable task, and organised the first, He has used other orthotics with limited
at Houchen Retreat House and Conference Not
successjustina the personal benefit some he
past – including
Because
Centre, justheoutside
contracted polioinwhen
Hamilton, he was
August. Retreat
made for facilitator
himself Sue afterpoints
training out asthea
only 10 months
Houchen’s existenceold, hemuch
owes never learned to
to one shoemaker. However,
knowledge gained during this Retreat the carbon fibre
walk in the usual way. Instead he
family’s generosity, much like the Wilson and developed bracesjust fromassist the U.S. are something else.
won’t participants to better
his ownphilanthropy.
Duncan variation of We the
shouldpolio lurch and
feel right They nudge 26 bones in the leg into proper
at home to
shuffle there, and it’spain.
minimise wheelchair friendly manage their own conditions. Through
alignment in three dimensions so that
throughout.
Now he is living with a miracle – well, sharing
wearers can what standthey andlearn
move with about their
more
Houchen is an ideal location to
two of them actually. Gordon, who is Poliorevitalize the own health
efficiently. professionals, they will
spirit inprogramme
NZ’s the serenity ofmanager,
the spaciousisgrounds,
the first hopefully
Now that facilitate
Gordon improved
has obtained care these
for
enjoying a programme that includes interesting other patients presenting
person in New Zealand to be fitted with a benefits for himself, he wantswith the others
to help Late
speakers and some fun presentations
pair of high-tech triplanar leg braces plus the
company of others who have survived polio.
Effects
experience of Polio. them too. The braces are
developed in the United States and they are expensive thoughtoandcontribute
he is now involved
Registration
opening up his andlife.
orientation starts at noon on Come ready to thein
a campaign to secure government funding so
Thursday 6 August with a powhiri at 2.00pm.
“Standing is amazing,” he said. “I can Retreat’s success to ensure it becomes
that more people will receive the benefits.
The programme then runs through to midday
stand with all the muscles in my body in anSomeannual event.
configurations cost up to $35,000 a
Sunday, ending with a light lunch.
their correct places and my bones taking the pair. but he insists this is still reasonable
Registration ($126.50) includes four days of
weight in a correct posture.
retreat, and all meals. Accommodation is extra when compared with the cost of such things
“The experience of sitting
for those staying in ($45 per night). Places werehas been The
as hipregular
and kneemonthly replacements.meeting of the
transformed
snapped up through and I can even climb
information sent atoladder.”
groups, Polio NZ Board at Houchen (ToRetreat
Page 10)
but at publication deadline cancellations left Centre on Saturday 8 August at 4pm
three bed spaces still available. Sue’s contact is open to all members.
details for further information are on p.2.

Why Change the Constitution? Houchen’s garden pleasures include a unique

labyrinth, based on the classical Cretan design,
See article1 on Page 6 but adapted to its sloping hilltop location. It can
be enjoyed just as a delight to the eye, or more
actively – and there’s even flaming torches on
offer to illuminate the site at night.
Also: See Retreat 2018 on Page 9.
1
Polio
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an isIncorporated
an Incorporated Society
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dedicated to to
seeking
seeking support
support for people
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had had (0800
(0800
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poliomyelitis.
poliomyelitis. It does
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www.polio.org.nz
sharing
sharing and where
and where possible,
possible, assistance
assistance to Polio
to Polio Email:
Email:
secretary@polio.org.nz
secretary@polio.org.nz
NZ members
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and their families.
families. PO Box
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43404340
The The Society’s
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of Management meetsmeets President:
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regularly
regularly by teleconference,
by teleconference, and occasionally
and occasionally in in BarryBarry
Holland, MNZM
Holland, MNZM
person
person such such
as at as
theatAnnual
the Annual General
General Meeting
Meeting of of Email:
Email:
president@polio.org.nz
president@polio.org.nz
members
members coinciding
coinciding with with the Retreat
the Retreat usually
usually
held held the weekend
the first first weekend of October.
of October. Secretary
Secretary
/ Treasurer:
/ Treasurer:
Jeannette
Jeannette
Aldridge
Aldridge
PolioPolio
NewsNews is published
is published threethree
timestimes a year
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(April,
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Duncan
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Foundation:
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Contributions
Contributions are welcomed
are welcomed anddeadline
and the the deadline
for for Gordon
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Jackman
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is theis5the
th
of5the
th
ofmonth
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before
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publication. Email:
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686 Kauaeranga
686 Kauaeranga
Valley
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Rd, RDRd,2RD 2
Disclaimers:
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expressed in the
in the Thames,
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35773577
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not not Tel: 07
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or 021
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necessarily
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of theofSociety.
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DykesDykes
This This newsletter
newsletter is not
is not intended
intended to provide
to provide Email:
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mervyndykes@gmail.com
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medical
medical advice.
advice. For For decisions
decisions aboutabout
healthhealth 106 Fitzroy
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matters,
matters, first consult
first consult your your
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professional. Palmerston
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Similarly,
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Acknowledgements:
Acknowledgements:
The Society
The Society
expresses
expresses
thanks
thanks
to thetoLottery
the Lottery
Grants
Grants BoardBoard
for itsfor its assistance
assistance towards
towards the cost
the cost
of thisof newsletter.
this newsletter.
Our thanks
Our thanks
to thetoFreemasons
the Freemasons
Foundation
Foundation
for for
help help
with with our orthotics
our orthotics training
training and and
rehabilitation
rehabilitation programmes.
programmes.

Our thanks
Our thanks
to Primo
to Primo
Wireless
Wireless
for free
forinternet
free internet
accessaccess
and and
data pack
data pack
for our
foradmin.
our admin.

To the
ToDuncan
the Duncan
family
family
for holding
for holding
the vision.
the vision.
To the
ToTrustees of theofSir
the Trustees theThomas
Sir Thomas
and Lady
and Lady
Duncan
Duncan
Trust,Trust,
and the
andDirectors of The
the Directors of Duncan
The Duncan
Foundation
Foundation
thankthank
you for
youbeing
for being
the marrow
the marrow
of everything
of everything 2 for the
we achieve
we achieve forbenefit
the benefit
of those
of those
who who had polio.
have have had polio.
Tobacco “relative”
enlisted to produce
new polio vaccine
A close relative of tobacco has been turned
into a polio vaccine “factory” with exciting
potential, according to James Gallagher,
health and science reporter for the BBC
News website
Scientists at the John Innes Centre, in
Norfolk, describe the process as cheap, easy
and quick, with the ability to also help the
world react to unexpected threats such as
Zika virus or Ebola.
The vaccine is an “authentic mimic” of
poliovirus called a virus-like particle.
Outwardly it looks almost identical to
poliovirus but – like the difference between
a mannequin and person – it is empty on the
inside.
It has all the features needed to train the
immune system, but none of the weapons to
cause an infection.
The scientists hijacked the tobacco plant
relative’s metabolism to turn its leaves into
polio-vaccine “factories”.
Their first task was to create new
instructions for the plant to follow.
Starting with the genetic code for making
the outer surface of poliovirus, they
combined it with material from viruses that
naturally infect plants.
The new instructions were then put into soil
bacteria, which were used to infect tobacco.
The infection took hold, the plants read the
genetic instructions and started making the
virus-like particles.
Infected leaves were mixed with water,
blended, and the polio vaccine was
extracted.
The virus-like particles prevented polio in
animal experiments, and an analysis of their
3D structure showed they looked almost
identical to poliovirus.
3
“They are incredibly good mimics,” said
Prof George Lomonossoff. “It’s a very
promising technology,
“I would hope we get vaccines produced
in plants in the not too distant future.”
The research is funded by the World
Health Organization, as part of efforts to
find replacements for the polio vaccine.
Using weakened poliovirus in present
vaccines poses a risk of the virus regaining
some of its dangerous traits – called
vaccine-derived poliovirus.
Dr Andrew Macadam, principal scientist
at the UK’s National Institute for Biological
Standards and Control, said: “Current
vaccines for polio are produced from large
amounts of live virus, which carries a threat
of accidental escape and re-introduction.
“This study takes us a step closer to
replacing current polio vaccines, providing
us with a cheap and viable option for
making virus-like particle-based vaccines.”
But this technology is not limited to polio
or even just to vaccines. As long as
researchers have the right sequence of
genetic code, they can make a vaccine
against most viruses.
And they have also used plants to make
antibodies like those being used in cancer
therapy. Plants are even being investigated
as a new source for the winter flu jab.
Present-day vaccines are grown in chicken
eggs and take months to develop.
However, in an experiment with a
Canadian company, the tobacco plant
vaccine showed it was possible to identify a
new strain of virus and produce a candidate
vaccine in three to four weeks.
“It’s highly responsive, and that’s one of
the great attractions of the technology,” said
Prof. Lomonossoff.
The plants have the advantage of growing
quickly and needing only sunlight, soil,
water and carbon dioxide to grow and have
potential to become a cheap and low-tech
solution to vaccine development.
From the President’s Desk
‘Hindsight is a
wonderful thing . . .’
That line was in my thoughts recently when
I went along to support a few of our polio
members who were being fitted with new
leg braces by American Marmaduke Loke,
who is world-renowned for his innovative
dynamic bracing treatment for
neuromuscular disorders.
The look on the faces when each person
stepped into their new braces was one full of
emotion and disbelief. Disbelief that they
could stand and feel no pain; that they could
stand feeling secure and not needing any
assistance.
As I watched I couldn't help thinking “if
only we’d known about this treatment
earlier”. Yes, hindsight is a wonderful
thing.
However, thinking back about 25 years
ago to when I was first told I had Post-Polio
Syndrome and the legs were stronger and
not as twisted and as weak as today, I
thought about how different it might have
been had the medical professionals had been
more knowledgeable about what we could
expect down the track.
How much more comforting could it have
been if we’d had annual muscle
assessments, were able to have our footwear
examined often to check on wear and tear
and that we had regular gait assessments, for
instance.
My point here is that more assistance
along those lines is slowly becoming
available for our members and the earlier
assessments are made and the quicker
appropriate treatment programmes are laid
out, the better. I’d like to encourage any of
you who feel they might be suffering from
the late effects of polio or any friends you
know with polio who have been reticent to
4
seek advice or even in denial of PPS or
LEOP, to seek assistance.
Lately, with our fast-growing population,
we've experienced a noticeable spike in new
members in Polio NZ and a number of them
are younger than the majority of our
membership. If you are one of them, I urge
you to get an assessment. Polio NZ can
assist, with information that's on our website
and Facebook page, or you can phone on
0800 476546.
Gordon Jackman, Polio NZ’s Programme
Manager, has worked tirelessly over the last
couple of years to source clinics and bring
health professionals up to date with our
needs.
He also continues to talk to the
Government and public health officials on
access and funding to reduce any financial
load on our members. Yes, I know, it’s a
slow process, but that’s the way it’s always
been it seems when dealing with the public
health system. Be assured though, we are
making real progress.
In closing, I’d like to thank and
congratulate Gordon on his drive and sheer
determination in getting dynamic leg braces
on to some of our members. May this be a
real life-changer for the members involved.
Barry Holland MNZM,
President,
Polio NZ Inc.
Don’t trifle
with
Influenza
By Dr. Liz Falkner
Polio NZ Medical Advisor
Be immunised this year.
Don’t think of influenza as ’flu the way
many people do.
You know what they say – “I had a nasty
cold and it turned into ’flu.”
NO!
Influenza is a serious illness in its own
right . . . six weeks of it. There’s a week of
feeling off colour brewing it; a week of
being terribly ill; aches in bones and
muscles (not what we need); severe
tiredness, nausea, weakness (not what we
need) and having to go to bed (NOT what
we need!); and then often weeks of post-
viral depression . . .
The acute illness in itself can be deadly.
We all know that “the ’flu can go to your
chest.” In other words, bronchitis or even
pneumonia can complicate influenza.
Obviously, this is a particular danger for
those of us with already impaired breathing.
Influenza makes us lose appetite and go to
bed. Both factors weaken us and we, all too
quickly, become a falls risk. And,
anecdotally, many Post-Polios report
symptoms worsening after any major bout of
illness.
Influenza viruses are sneaky and
adaptable. They are changing all the time,
which is why people can have influenza
several times – unlike other viral illnesses
such as measles, for example.
5
There are lots of different strains on the go
in the world at any one time.
The predominant strains are monitored
world-wide and the varieties most likely to
cause severe illness in the coming winter
season are selected in this year’s
immunisation.
This year’s ’flu – sorry, INFLUENZA,
looks like being really nasty. The current
new big strain has caused influenza deaths
elsewhere. Many of you will, like me, have
English friends badly affected by it right
now.
Fortunately, a fourth strain has been added
to the usual three in our “Jab”, so we can
reasonably hope to be protected this winter.
APRIL 2018 – the updated vaccine comes
in, FREE for us through age and medical
condition.
─────────────────
Get the Jab!
Dr. Richard Bruno, author of The Polio
Paradox, takes a similar ’flu stance to our
own Dr. Liz.
“Don’t ignore flu prevention or symptoms
in your chest,” he cautions readers of his
website.
News media in the U.S. describe this
year’s influenza outbreak as already the
most widespread on record since health
officials began keeping track about a dozen
years ago.
Millions of Americans have been infected
by emerging and current strains such as the
dominant H3N2. Statistics from the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention show
56,000 influenza-related deaths in 2012-13.
From the Past to Now
Why update the
Constitution?
by Jeannette Aldridge
A Constitution explains the reasons an
organisation exists, describes the purpose of
an organisation, and what it can or cannot do
to fulfil its purposes.
The original Constitution, written 30 years
ago, well supported the organisation that
became Polio NZ Inc. The vision was to
provide support for people living in New
Zealand who had had polio. There were
three key ideas behind it:
1) Educate doctors and other health
professionals about the needs of
people affected by polio.
2) Establish a Centre of Excellence
where people who had had polio
could go and know that they would
be treated by people who understood
their needs.
3) Encourage people who had polio to
meet to support each other in local
groups.
At the same time, we had to bear on mind
that, as an Incorporated Society and
Registered Charity, there are laws governing
how we go about our business and how we
should be accountable for money raised etc.
During the first 30 years, the most
successful objective was getting people
together in what we called “support groups”.
At one point there were 21 groups all over
the country who met regularly for meals and
presentations and friendship.
However, attempts to educate health
professionals and establish a Centre of
Excellence was constantly confronted by
political apathy and disinterest and members
continued to be confronted by doctors,
orthotists and physiotherapists who were
6
grossly uninformed about polio and its long-
term effects, often with tragic consequences.
Various members of the Board, presidents,
vice- presidents, secretaries, treasurers, and
newsletter editors worked exhaustively to
try to penetrate this lethargy.
Some excellent conferences were
organised, and international experts came
and gave enlightening presentations on new
research and understanding of the needs of
people who have had polio. But sadly, those
who had polio were the only ones truly
listening, and even then, there was no
official record of how many people still
living in New Zealand had been affected by
the virus.
The public health system remained deaf
and blind to the research. Politicians made
promises that were never kept. Inevitably,
the “polio pioneers” aged, tired, retired, and
many passed away, with their vision and
needs unfulfilled.
Even the one thing that was our strength –
support groups – began to fade and
disappear as the effects of aging with a long-
term disability made it harder for people to
meet. The friendships endured but meeting
less frequently; conversation was less about
polio as the feeling of “nothing can be done”
and this overwhelmed the hopefulness with
which it had all begun.
We were losing the peers who understood
our experiences best.
The “silence” and “forgetfulness” about
the journey of being a child with polio was
something even parents and siblings did not
want to talk about it and once the vaccine
had taken hold, the government lost interest.
Over time, the “silence” returned as the
public health system and the politicians all
continued to “forget” that polio survivors
even existed or that our needs were any
different than anyone else. But now there are
only a few groups scattered around the
country that still get together now and again
– and that is to be encouraged for as long as
people enjoy doing that.
For some, Facebook has replaced the need
to connect in a physical space. For others,
the telephone remains their only connection.
Sadly, for some, even the phone is no longer
useful.
Strangely, just when support groups are at
their weakest, the other purposes of the
organisation have finally emerged with a
previously unknown strength, thanks to the
inspiring effectiveness of our first National
Programme Manager Gordon Jackman.
We have universities and medical
education facilities engaged in teaching and
learning about the late effects of polio and
DHBs creating services specifically for
people who have had polio.
Doctors and anaesthetists are engaged in
learning about the needs of their polio
patients. Thanks to the Freemasons’
Foundation we have orthotists learning
about the materials and techniques for
creating state of the art orthotics and a few
people trialling ‘dynamic braces’.
We have a university researching how
many people are still living in New Zealand
who survived polio – the current estimation
is close to 10,000. We also have a new
foundation thanks to the enduring
philanthropy of the Duncan family – The
Duncan Foundation – that is committed to
establishing not just one centre of excellence
but clinics for assessing and treating the late
effects of polio in each region.
When we looked at the Constitution
created 30 years ago, it no longer reflected
where we are at now. We don’t want just
one “centre of excellence”. Our country is
two large islands – we need specialist clinics
that people can easily drive to from
wherever they are. If people can’t get to the
clinics, we need the clinics to be able to go
to them.
The organisation only exists to help people
who have had polio and its late effects. That
7
involves making sure there are health
professionals who are fully up to date with
what we now know about the late effects of
polio and how to manage this as we age.
We also need to find the estimated 10,000
people who are still in New Zealand living
with the effects of having had polio and let
them know that after all this time, there is
now help available.
So, we have updated the Constitution to
make sure that it provides the framework we
need to do what needs to be done – and to
take out anything that has become irrelevant
to the world we are now living in. We have
lots of ways we can now communicate with
each other, not just the post. We want people
to be able to be members even if paying a
sub becomes a problem for them. We want
people to be able to get together physically
and on social media in whatever way they
choose.
Coincidentally, the government tightened
the rules of accountability for Incorporated
Societies and Registered Charities. This has
consequences for ‘affiliated groups’.
We also want to be able to manage groups
that have the skills to really promote the
purposes of the organisation, but these need
to be able to conform to the requirements of
the new legislation – so we have provided a
mechanism for establishing branches where
this is useful and appropriate.
We don’t envisage that there will be many
branches, but we need to be able to account
for that possibility. We currently have one
branch – the Waikato Branch.
We also need to protect the organisation to
ensure it remains true to its purpose to
support people who have had polio with the
effects of their having had polio. We need to
ensure that people can only be members if
they have had polio, or they are a close
relative such as a spouse or partner of a
person who had polio, or a carer or health
(To Page 8)
(From Page 7)
professional caring for someone who has
had polio.
The only other reason a person would be
accepted as a member would be if they have
a significant contribution to make through
offering their skills or financial support.
People who have had polio must always be
the drivers and beneficiaries of this
organisation.
We would love to be able to support
fieldworkers in local communities but that is
presently beyond our capabilities as an
organisation that receives no government
funding. However, getting a personal
assessment from one of the Duncan
Foundation clinics is an excellent way to
find out exactly what you need as an
individual to give you the best shot at
staying in as good health and as mobile as
possible for as long as possible.
Now that we have these services available,
our next mission is to let the polio survivors
who are not members of Polio NZ know that
help is available.
Most of us were encouraged to “forget”
we had polio and just “get on with it”. While
that might have been good advice at the
time, it is not good advice now. We need to
“remember” that we had polio, and we need
to make a personal plan about how we can
manage ourselves as we age.
We need to speak up and be identified so
the government “remembers” the fact that
polio was a major public health issue when
epidemics were common, and it still is today
because there are thousands of survivors in
New Zealand who are not being counted and
are therefore not being served.
Finding ways of letting them know help is
available is the next big goal for Polio NZ
and if you can help in any way – please let
us know. FREEPHONE 0800 465 546.
8
Little Leo was
her Big Hero
Raylee Murphy of Feilding was only seven
years old and attending Lower Hutt Primary
School when she became ill.
She was taken to Wellington and put in an
isolation room. She missed her family and
thought they no longer knew where to find
her.
Sometimes a fully-gowned nurse would sit
with her in the room and hold her hand to
ease her distress. She was also given toys
and pop-up books to play with and these
became her treasures.
Then, after six weeks, she was moved into
a children’s polio ward. Her treasures were
taken away and destroyed in case they had
become infectious. Homesickness swamped
her and she was often in tears.
That was when she noticed Leo, a little
boy in a bed opposite her.
Leo smiled at her and made it his mission
to cheer her up by jiggling about on his bed
and pulling funny faces. He made her smile
and a bond soon developed between them.
Then one morning Raylee noticed Leo was
no longer in his bed. She was sad to lose his
company, but happy at the thought that he
had become well enough to be sent home.
It wasn’t until many years later that she
learned that, like so many other Polios in
those dark 1948 days, Leo had died in the
night.
Seventy years later, Raylee Murphy still
remembers little Leo and the huge smiles he
gifted her with.
Leo is part of her polio story which
appeared in the November 2017 issue of
Enable New Zealand’s newsletter Kia Maro.
Polio
PolioRetreat
Retreat2018
2018
ByBy
Marlayna
MarlaynaZucchiatti
Zucchiatti
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evenings will be filled with with funfun and
and
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perhaps karaoke and/orand/or other
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TheTheprogramme
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entertainment. And more good
good news, the
news, the
registration fee
registration fee will remain the same.
same.
and we are having challenges trying to fit itit
and we are having challenges trying to fit
Please complete
Please complete the expression
expression of of interest
interest
allall into
into thethe weekendwhilst
weekend whilststill
stillallowing
allowinglotslots
form opposite
form opposite and and send
send itit in in andand do do
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participants.
remember, this retreat is strictly
remember, this retreat is strictly limited tolimited to
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a nutritionist, artist/therapist,aa
dream expert and more! This willbebeaatrue
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retreat where
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involved asas (See Expression
(See Expression of of Interest
Interest form
form inserted
inserted in in
doing this issue.)
much
much or or
asas little
little asaswewewish.
wish. this issue.)

A busy scene at the mobility aid stands during the 2016 Retreat.
A busy scene at the mobility aid stands during the 2016 Retreat.

9
Walking on Air (From Page 1)
Gordon began exploring the possibilities
of the new braces on the eve of the Sydney
Polio: Life Stage Matters conference in 2016
after making contact with the clinician
behind the technology, Marmaduke Loke
from Carlsbad near San Diego.
Marmaduke Loke later made several visits
to New Zealand and began working with
clients here. Some of the activities were
reported in the April and August issues of
Polio News last year.
He conducted gait analyses and measured
people for braces. His most recent visit was
last month and he plans others for later this
year to continue work with clients.
During his visit last month he told news
media representatives that the common
braces, made of thermoplastic, were the
technological equivalent of “old Polaroid
cameras” when compared with the carbon
fibre versions.
It takes him up to two weeks to design one
of the new carbon-fibre braces, compared
with just 45 minutes for the thermoplastic
models.
Gordon believes they should be funded by
the health system. His own arrangement
involves two braces, but costs for other
configurations could range from $US8000 to
$US20,000 each.
“In the long run, it’s probably the best
investment I’ve ever made in myself. But at
the moment that’s not within the reach of
many many New Zealanders,” he said.
He described the change in his daily life as
“extraordinary”, with his improved posture
even improving his singing.
“When I stand, I’m totally balanced and I
can be utterly relaxed, which I’ve never
been in my life before.”
However, the process of learning to adjust
to the new circumstances usually took
several months of accomplish.
The orthotic clinics with Marmaduke Loke
are just a part of a steadily widening range
10
of polio-related activities which are doing
much to heighten awareness of polio in New
Zealand.
[See article about the Constitution in the
centre pages of this issue]
Gordon said he planned to submit a
proposal for funding the new orthotics with
joint agencies to the Ministry of Health and
Minister for Disabilities Issues Carmel
Sepuloni later this year.
There has been extensive lobbying of
universities, clinics, DHB representatives,
GPs, orthotists, and politicians.
AUT was working on an epidemiological
study comparing stroke and polio which was
expected to provide an accurate estimate of
the number of polios in New Zealand.
A 10-minute video had been prepared at
the 2016 Polio Retreat in Rotorua and was
being used to help obtain approval and
funding for a 42-minute documentary.
Support was being sought from broadcasters
and NZ On Air.
Duncan Foundation Polio clinics had been
established in four centres around New
Zealand and our clinicians will travel to
other centers to carry out assessments.
Applications to see a Duncan Foundation
clinician and get an assessment can be made
on the Duncan Foundation website.
(www.duncanfoundation.org)
The clinics would not be solely for Polios
but would be extended to clients with other
concerns such as MS and Parkinsons.
A new website is being developed for
Polio NZ which has a You Tube channel
functioning already.
Both Gordon and Marmaduke Loke had
been interviewed on air and newspapers in
recent times.
With many of the activities Polio NZ has
been working in association with the
Duncan Foundation, for which Gordon has
recently become the CEO. (Continued over)
(Walking on Air Continued)
(Walking
But, ason exciting
Air Continued)
as many of these
But, as exciting
developments might be, as his
manymostofstartling
these
developments
moments havemight been be, his most
created by his startling
new Duncan
Duncan Fund
Fund
moments
orthotics. have been created by his new
orthotics.
From when he first heard about them and
From“Canwhenthishe be
first heardtoabout them day
and
Guidelines
Guidelines
asked, true?” the present
asked,
has been“Can this be true?”
an exciting journeyto of
thediscovery.
present day The Duncan Fund programme of Polio NZ Inc.
has
Fewbeen an exciting
people would journey of discovery.
get excited about doing is The
made Duncan Fund
possible programme
because of Polio
of generous NZ Inc.
donations
theFew people
dishes, butwould
Gordon getdoes.
excited
He about
can stand doing
at is made possible because of generous
from the Sir Thomas and Lady Duncan Trust. Its donations
the dishes, but Gordon does. He can
the sink without pain for long enough to do stand at from the is
purpose SirtoThomas
assist in andaddressing
Lady Duncan the Trust.
needs Its
of
the sinkand
the job without
even pain
wanderfor into
longtheenough
next to do
room purpose is to assist in addressing
those living with the long-term effects of polio, the needs of
the job what’s
and even those
for living
which no with
otherthe long-term
funding effects of polio,
is available.
to see on wander into the
TV without next to
having room
sit
to see what’s on TV without having to sit forThe
which no other funding is available.
qualifying criteria for this assistance are
down.
down. asThe qualifying criteria for this assistance are
follows:
The braces are great value in social as follows:
■ The applicant is living with the long-term
The braces
gatherings too. are
He wasgreat value atinan social
recently event ■ The ofapplicant is polio.
living with the long-term
effects having had
gatherings
that was extremely crowded and wouldevent
too. He was recently at an have effects
■ of havingishad
The applicant polio.standing as a member
in good
that was
once extremely
provided him crowded and would
with a daunting have
obstacle ■
of The
Polio applicant
NZ Inc.is(having
in goodpaid standing as a per
their $15 member
year
once
course.provided him with a daunting obstacle of Polio NZ Inc. (having paid their $15 per year
sub).
course.
However, this time he was able to slip sub).
■ The applicant shall produce evidence or
However,
through this time
the press he was
balancing able to
a drink slip
in one ■ The applicant
otherwise convince shall
the Duncanproduce evidence or
Committee
through
hand thea press
and platebalancing
of food aindrink the inother.
one otherwise convince the Duncan Committee
that the purpose of their application is necessary
hand and a plate of food
“Standing is amazing,” he said. in the other. thatthethe
in purpose of of
management their application
their post-polioiscondition.
necessary
“Standing in the management of their
■ Other avenues for funding need to be post-polio condition.
“At age is62,amazing,”
having had he polio
said. all that time,
“At age 62, having ■ Other avenues
investigated before for funding
applying to need to be
the Duncan
I never imagined in had
my polio
life Iallwould
that time,
feel investigated before applying to the Duncan
I never imagined in my life I would Fund. The Fund is for where there is no other
these things and experience these things,”feelhe Fund. The Fund is for where there
funding available, or possibly where alternative is no other
these
said. “So it’s sort of like getting wings andhea
things and experience these things,”
funding available,
would take or possibly
so longwhere as toalternative
make it
said.
motor.”“So it’s sort of like getting wings and a funding
impractical. would take so long as to make it
motor.”
───────────────────────── impractical.
■ The purpose of the grant must be for the
─────────────────────────
NZ Gets a Mention in Last Report ■ The purpose
personal benefit of ofthetheapplicant
grant must be for the
in managing
NZ
The Gets
stronga Mention
link that inhas
Last Report
been forged personalofbenefit
effects polio. of the applicant in managing the
The
betweenstrong
PoliolinkAustralia
that hasandbeen Polioforged
NZ effects
■ The termsof polio.
of the grant shall be determined by
between Polio Australia andOzPolio NZ ■ The
the terms Fund
Duncan of theCommittee
grant shall of be Polio
determined by
NZ Inc.
continues said retiring Polio President
continues said retiring Polio Oz President the Duncan
The Committee Fund may Committee of Polio partial
decide to approve NZ Inc.
or
Dr. John Tierney in his final report. The
Dr. full funding of the application. The approval or
Committee may decide to approve partial
“InJohn TierneyI inheaded
October his finalacross
report.the ditch
full funding
denial of anyofapplication
the application.
is at theThesoleapproval or
discretion
“In to
again October
take part I in
headed across Health
their second the ditch
and denial of any application is at the sole discretion
of the Board of Polio NZ Inc.
again to take
Wellness partininRotorua
Retreat their second
. . . Health and of the
An Board of form
application Poliofor NZthe Inc.Duncan Fund can be
Wellness
“In recentRetreat
times in Rotorua
a number . . .of executive An application
requested from: form for the Duncan Fund can be
“In recent
members timesNZa have
of Polio numberalso of executive
attended our requested from:
members
Retreats in Australia and in 2016 sent our
of Polio NZ have also attended the The Secretary/Treasurer, Polio NZ Inc.,
Retreatsinternational
largest in Australiacontingent
and in 2016 sentAsia-
to our the ThePO Secretary/Treasurer,
Box 791 New Plymouth Polio 4340
NZ Inc.,
largest international contingent
Pacific Post-Polio Conference in Sydney.to our Asia- or e-mail PO: Box 791 New Plymouth 4340
secretary/treasurer@polio.org.nz
Pacific Post-Polio
Both national Conference
polio in Sydney.
organisations have or e-mail : secretary/treasurer@polio.org.nz
Both
learned a lot from each other, so long have
national polio organisations may
learned
the a lot from
partnership each other, so long may
continue.”
the partnership continue.”

11
 Notice of Special General Meeting
Date of Meeting: Saturday 14 April 2018
Venue: Novatel Hotel, Auckland Airport
Time: 11am

Purpose: To adopt the revised Constitution of Polio NZ Incorporated.

Motion:
THAT the Society adopt the revision of Polio NZ Inc. Constitution for the purposes of
removing items that are repetitive or no longer applicable or useful recognizing the
changes and developments of the Society over many years, the demographic composition
of current and probable future membership, recognition of electronic communications
technology, the status of support groups, and the establishment of Branches that conform to
the reporting requirements of a New Zealand Registered Charity.

This motion is recommended by the Board of Management of Polio NZ Inc. as per Minutes
15 February 2018.

All Members Welcome

Morning tea will be served at 10:30am.

Lunch will be provided if attendance is notified to the Secretary by April 7.

Parking will also be provided if attendance is notified to the Secretary by April 7.

FREEPHONE 0800 476 547

secretary@polio.org.nz

12