
Living with motor neurone disease: The Kiwis making the most of every day
Brent Thompson can't walk, talk or lift a finger but he can fly a model plane.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: health spend, taxes and stadium
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including spending on health, taxes and stadium costs. Yell it from the rooftop: spend more on health Governments always yell from the rooftops about how much more they are spending on our health system. Well they are not spending enough. We personally know nurses in Dunedin Hospital who are running and are not able to give the care they have been trained to give, and it is frustrating for them, they suffer from burnout and leave. No wonder health staff are leaving for Australia in record numbers and we are recruiting from low-wage economies. Paying Kiwis to stay here would be a good start. Tax us some more to make us the world-class health system we used to have. A healthy workforce is less of a drain on the entire system and everyone in the economic chain benefits. At the moment people are reduced to be non-contributing members of society and claiming benefits while waiting for surgery. I personally know of a woman who had to sell her home and downsize to pay for a hip operation. This is not the New Zealand I grew up in. We need to be a fully functioning society supported by a fully functioning health system. Thanks to successive governments, we have failed our own people in this area. Shame on us. John Grant Alexandra Fares not fair It is terrible that bus fares have been forced on children. The result will be more traffic on the roads, increased intergenerational inequity, more stress on parents, lower school attendance, less resilient children and lower social mobility. Ironically it may increase the loss per passenger. D. Hawkins Dunedin Tax talk It all depends upon what sort of country we want: the egalitarian society generally characterised as New Zealand in the 1950s and 1960s, or the enriched minority holding sway today. The statistics (courtesy of George Bryant NZ 2050) are compelling. Today, 1% of the population owns 16% of the country's wealth - the richest 5% owns 38% - while half the population receive less than $24,000 a year. Expressed another way, the wealthiest 10% now own 59% of all wealth. What ever way you slice the cake it screams ''crisis in the making''. This has all come about recently and in the absence of a capital gains tax, Mr Eckhoff (ODT, 9.6.25). One of the ways to address this inequity is for everybody, including that small proportion of the population who enjoy the bounty that has come their way often via inflationary increases, to pay some of it back to the public purse for the well-being of all. Statistics NZ tells us that as the gross domestic product increases, almost half the increase goes to a small group who are already the richest in the country. Evan Alty Lake Hawea Unlikely solution Shane Jones appears to think that ''his'' mines will solve all economic problems. Unless mining companies pay corporate income tax every year, this is most unlikely. The majority of shareholders will not be New Zealand residents, and most of the machinery used is manufactured offshore. Jobs may be provided but housing will not be, and this could add to the homeless problem in some areas, especially in Central Otago. The pits provided to control leaching need to be constructed to a very high standard if they are to withstand earthquakes, especially where the mining is planned on known fault lines. New Zealand needs to be very careful in approving mines. The performance of mining companies in many countries has been unsatisfactory for both the people and the natural environment. Lynne Hill Mosgiel Trying to find more funds for white elephant Five minutes in the job and Dunedin City Holdings chairman Tim Loan thinks he can go cap-in-hand to get more money to pay for the stadium. How about going to all those who went against public opposition to build it? Mr Loan will just have to sell a few more pine trees from one of his council companies. What is Tim Loan doing in the job if he has to employ more consultants to do his job to develop long-term modelling for this white elephant that has a lifetime ending in about 2060, and will only have a value of the land under it. $188 million and not a cent more. Blown out to $211m that we know about, plus weekly running costs, while it sits there empty for most of the time. Life expectancy of only another 35 years. What a joke. Interesting that Ruby Shaw's ODT article (4.6.25) has no facts or figures of what the stadium still owes, just like the original fictitious promotions to hoodwink all those that are still having to pay for it. Neville McLay Opoho Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@


NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Living with motor neurone disease: The Kiwis making the most of every day
It's a diagnosis that no one wants to hear, one from which there is no escape. Michael Botur meets Kiwis living with incurable motor neurone disease who are making every day count. Brent Thompson can't walk, talk or lift a finger but he can fly a model plane.


Scoop
4 days ago
- Scoop
Winter Wellness: The Overlooked Role Of Orthotics In Cold-Weather Comfort And Safety
As the season progresses, the team at Orthotic House are encouraging New Zealanders, particularly older adults, active individuals, and those managing chronic pain, to consider foot health as a vital part of their winter wellness strategy. As colder temperatures settle in across New Zealand, health and wellness routines often shift to meet the season's challenges. But one critical area is frequently left out of the conversation – foot health, especially the role orthotics can play in helping Kiwis stay comfortable, mobile, and injury-free during winter. While winter wellness strategies typically focus on immunity, nutrition, and warmth, fewer people consider how the season affects their feet. Yet as conditions become wetter, icier, and colder, foot-related discomfort and injury risk can increase – particularly for those with pre-existing conditions like flat feet, arthritis, or plantar fasciitis. 'Our feet are the foundation of movement, and in winter they're under increased stress,' says Lydia Charteris, General Manager at Orthotic House. Foot orthotics are custom or over-the-counter shoe inserts designed to support the feet and correct biomechanical problems. According to Charteris, foot orthotics can contribute to winter wellness in five key ways: 1. Enhanced Stability on Slippery Surfaces Orthotics provide better foot alignment and balance, which can help reduce the risk of slips and falls. Proper arch support stabilizes the foot and ankle, offering more confidence on wet or uneven ground. 2. Improved Circulation and Warmth Poor foot alignment can restrict circulation, especially in cold weather. Orthotics promote more natural movement and posture, which can enhance blood flow and help keep your feet warmer. 3. Reduced Joint and Muscle Pain Winter tends to exacerbate joint stiffness and muscular tension. Orthotics can help evenly distribute body weight and reduce strain on knees, hips, and the lower back, common pain points during the colder season when we're less active and more bundled up. 4. Support for Winter Footwear Many winter shoes can offer style and insulation but lack proper arch support. Orthotics can be inserted into certain footwear to make them more supportive. 5. Continued Activity and Mobility Staying active is vital for physical and mental health during winter. By reducing discomfort and injury risk, orthotics help ensure you can keep walking, hiking, or even skiing safely through the season. Winter wellness is about more than minimising illnesses, it's about maintaining comfort, stability, and mobility through the most challenging months. Orthotics support not just your feet, but your overall well-being, helping you move through winter with greater ease and confidence. 'Orthotics are more than a shoe insert, they're a tool for maintaining independence, reducing discomfort, and keeping people moving,' says Lydia Charteris. As the season progresses, the team at Orthotic House are encouraging New Zealanders, particularly older adults, active individuals, and those managing chronic pain, to consider foot health as a vital part of their winter wellness strategy.