Wednesday, January 19, 2022
My name's Merina Tonise I’m 51 years old and I am a wife, a mother and proud Samoan woman. I am paraplegic and currently live at Laura Fergusson Trust in Naenae.
I was hospitalised for blood poisoning in 2017 and developed an abscess in my spinal cord. Although I had surgery to remove the inflammation, the spinal cord was damaged. I felt so empty and lost when the doctor told me that I will not walk again. I cried and told the physician “I walked into the hospital, and I want to walk out again”. The doctor from Hutt Hospital rehab referred me to Burwood Spinal Unit in Christchurch for a four month period of rehab. While there, I managed to start walking with crutches but after five months things began to deteriorate, and my left foot would not move. I went back into hospital and was diagnosed with spinal compression which required an operation. I was told by the doctors that I will not walk again. I disagreed, telling them that I am going to walk again.
Burwood Spinal Unit didn’t allow me to continue my rehab they believed there was nothing they could do so I was transferred back to Hutt hospital. I was in the hospital for four months and while I was there, I started attending the gym at Laura Fergusson Trust 2-3 days a week.
I couldn’t go back home because the physical situation I was in, instead I was transferred to St John of God in Upper Hutt. While there I continued to come to Laura Fergusson Trust to access their gym, cooking and other activities.
After 8 months my funding agency offered me another placement that was closer to Laura Fergusson and the local public swimming pool. This change also offered more opportunities to access a laundry to do my own washing, access to a kitchen to cook while also taking me to LFT for the gym, cooking lessons and swimming twice a week. Unfortunately, this facility couldn’t provide me the full support I required.
On December 29th, 2020, I became a resident at LFT. I believe Laura Fergusson Trust provides me with transitional rehab where I can be supported to reach my goals to the best of my ability. Doing so strengthens my independence so that I can go back home and be with my family. I am doing several things to achieve this including:
GYM – all the equipment is wheelchair accessible I have found the gym to be a very important part of my rehab to strengthen my upper body working my way to my lower parts. I find the LFT staff very helpful by helping me to implement new ways to enhance my independence and build confidence without fear to take more chances to discover my strengths. I see the people who work with me on my rehab who are good at what they do how they interact with different people and their disability. Its educational, I’m amazed at what goes on in that little gym.
ACTIVITIES – from Monday to Friday different activities staff interact with residents making a positive outcome enabling us to be self-motivated, socialising, giving courage and hope to those who are not able to mobilise on their own. Some of these activities are open invitation for the people from the community providing an opportunity for people from outside LFT with disability to connect.
SWIMMING – Every Wednesday after Lunch two support workers will take us to Huia hydro pool for an hour. Time at the pool helps me to improve my walking, strengthening my legs and I’m able to walk down the rail without the needing the support of a hoist or wheelchair.
SHOPPING – Every Wednesday I go shopping for groceries for Samoan cooking with a staff member. For me this builds my confidence to go out into the community and face people because people do look at you differently when you’re wheelchair bound.
CULTRAL GROUPS – Kapa Haka occurs every Thursday. We sing songs in Maori and are supported by a staff member playing the guitar. This has provided me with an opportunity to learn about Te Reo Maori and singing is also good to exercise the lungs.
Samoan Cooking acknowledges my Samoan culture. While we are cooking we listen to our Samoan music speak in our language and socialise while sharing our island food among ourselves with the help of a support worker. I am proud of who I am, where I’m from and to share the values of my culture with others who respect this.
For Te Reo Maori, I was given the opportunity to cater a Kaimoana lunch for the staff and residents of LFT and this is one of my highlights. It was a great success and enjoyed by everyone. I am thankful for Laura Fergusson for allowing me this great opportunity. I felt very privileged to be able to do this with LFTs support.
HEALTH AND SAFETY – I am a resident rep on the Health and Safety committee and feel privileged for the opportunity of being part of this group.
WASHING AND CLEANING – I can do my own washing with the help of a support worker to carry my basket. I clean my own room even if takes two hours but it’s improving every time. Practice makes it perfect and I can see this happening.
I have reflected on all the things that I do at Laura Fergusson Trust, and am amazed at how the activities build you up to gain confidence to excel. With the encouragement of support staff you can achieve lots. I love interacting with people I don’t even get bored as there is always action around the place
I came here and my whole focus was the gym but now my heart is stirred to study towards a Social Work Degree. Once again it is an opportunity for me to gain further knowledge and learn new skills that I can use to help others as I continue to work towards my independence.
And because of the support I received and opportunities that have been given to me, being in a wheelchair is not going to restrict me from bettering myself and reaching my goals with Gods help