Mikko’s journey hasn’t been easy. He developed epilepsy at the age of 12 and, despite trying different medications over the past four years, hasn’t had success in reducing his seizures. Now 16, Mikko experiences multiple tonic-clonic seizures every day. Along with his epilepsy, he is also autistic and has a language disorder, which means his family carefully manages his care and well-being. Mikko’s neurologist expressed concern that he is at risk of SUDEP (sudden unexpected d

A stroke may have impacted their lives, but Graeme and Laurian aren’t letting it get in the way of their 55-year love story. Laurian, 72 met Graeme when she was just 15, they got married in 1969 and have three children and 12 grandchildren. They were dealt a tough blow when Graeme suffered a stroke in 2009. Graeme was doing alterations to their home when he noticed something was wrong. He couldn’t move his left arm to help him get up, so the couple went to the doctors, and it

Manawanui’s Fund for Good is an innovation programme which awards grants to help fund big ideas that cannot be funded through Individualised Funding or other funding sources. It’s all about self-direction and is one of the ways that Manawanui, as a social enterprise, reinvests profits into initiatives that give customers choice and control about how they live. In previous years our grants supported business entrepreneurs, Special Olympics participation, getting a book publish

Introducing the amazing Nathan Pearson! Nathan loves photography and all things equestrian. His passion for horses began at aged four when he saddled up for riding lessons at Greenhithe Riding for Disabled in Auckland. Nathan was born prematurely and faced challenges that resulted from cerebral palsy, making him a regular wheelchair user. From a young age riding horses was almost like his weekly physio - Nathan’s Mum Natalie Pearson said she had never seen him sit and stand s

Dikina (pictured left) with her wonderful family. Dikina is 24 years old and lives at home with her Mum, Wendy and wonderful sisters. For the last few years, Dikina has had her mind set on getting her learners driver's license.  All of her sisters (even the younger one) have their drivers licenses and Dikina doesn’t want to miss out! Dikina needs to get to her place of work early in the morning as well as sometimes working night shifts. Understandably, she feels unsafe catchi

Esther Bramwell lives in a tiny home with her parents and two younger sisters. As she is getting older and has auditory processing needs, Esther has been asking for her own space and claims she is old enough and clever enough to build it herself! Although Esther struggles with learning, she is strong and has an innate understanding of what is required when she has helped her family with building projects. Esther is happy and mentally stimulated when she works on a physical an