“A Day of Weaving Knowledge and Discussion.”

March 2022

Te Ra Manaaki Whiriwhiri was ConneXu’s first opportunity to come together in true partnership to learn about what System Transformation is. COVID enabled all individuals to join from the comfort of their own homes thanks to Microsoft Teams. The workshops were person-centred, and the disabled voice was heard before anyone else, this was also facilitated by the presence of NZSL interpreters.
Led by ConneXu’s Change Consultant Jess Adams, and member of the Project Team Gabbie Nelson, the workshops ran across six days. A special thanks to Karolynne Thompson from the Health and Safety committee who demonstrated the correct way to sit at your computer for long periods of time.
The disabled partners ConneXu works alongside, their family/Whanau, office staff, community facilitators, and board members partnered together for this journey. Workbooks and interactive activity packs were dropped off to everyone who was participating at home which enabled participants to create with their hands and participate in activities.

Individuals began the day by jumping on their waka together with whakawhanaungatanga - relationship building. One of the principles of enabling good lives, and the foundation of any successful, trusting partnership.

Section One: Our Reason for Being, focused on where disabled individuals have come from before partnering with ConneXu, and challenges faced as disabled persons growing up. Challenges identified by participants in the workshops included: Lack of understanding of who they are by those around them, being judged by other people, limited freedom, lack of independence, and feeling isolated.

It was important for everyone to understand the challenges ConneXu's disabled partners faced and to reflect on how far they had come. Team members identified that hearing personal stories of growth and challenges faced by ConneXu's disabled partners enabled them to gain a better understanding of what the journey of life has been like for disabled people.

Section Two: Our Journey Together, highlighted what life is like now. ConneXu's disabled partners are beginning to have more choice and control over their own lives. Molly, the cartoon character joined the team again. In the scenario played out by Molly, she wants to pursue a relationship and her community facilitator and family/Whanau put up barriers for Molly. As a group the scenario was discussed and how this could have been played out better, simply through supported decision making and Molly having more choice and control. This highlighted a key issue most disabled people face when wanting to make new friends and make decisions.

Section Three: Creating our Future Together, focused on working in partnership with everyone in the individual’s life (including their ConneXu family), choosing to do things and live a mainstream first life, and lastly, removing barriers for them to live the lives they choose to live. Participants used the clay given to them in their activity pack to sculpt how they want their future to look.