Connect 13

It's always exciting to return to the Champion Centre for the start of a new year. 2022 was no different. Staff returned for our annual Training Week in late January with renewed energy. A very strong team, committed to their mahi, they are the Champion Centre's greatest asset. This year we welcomed three new staff members: Dave and Ashleigh, both Physiotherapists, and Rachael, a Music Therapist. We are fortunate to have appointed such highly skilled and experienced staff to our team.

But it's the return of children and whānau that we really look forward to most of all. We love welcoming families back, seeing children who have grown a little over the holidays and reconnecting with everyone.

For 2022 we have made some small changes to our programmes with the introduction of a group session alongside our usual individual sessions. You can read more about the group sessions in this edition of Connect.

Families, staff and supporters make up our wonderful Champion Centre community. We are particularly grateful to Karl, Teddy's Dad, for sharing his story with us. Have a read, it's inspiring. We are also grateful to Brown Kiwi Ltd for providing our stunning new sign on Burwood Road. No-one will miss us now.

And finally, we couldn't do what we do without continued donations, big or small. Check out how you can help us below.

Wendy and Lauren

Karl's story

It was with much excitement and anticipation that the Tawharu-Rosewarne household welcomed the birth of their 3rd child, Theodore.

Teddy arrived a little early, and by about 5 months of age Jo and Karl had begun to identify some differences in his development, when compared with his brother and sister. The lactose intolerance was one, but it appeared Teddy was in constant pain, and initially they were checking the usual boxes of hungry, tired, and frustrated, before it become apparent this was something more.

Being pushed back into the hospital system to seek some answers immediately flagged concerns, and many questions, about Teddy's diagnosis, and his future. After a paediatric referral Karl and Jo were made aware of the intervention programme through the Champion Centre. Jo had heard of the Champion Centre through her studies to become an Early Childhood Educator, but Karl had no prior knowledge of the Centre's existence, before his initial visit. He informs us he wasn't that keen on meeting new people and, in particular, "I wasn't fond of meeting 'professionals', especially when they are telling me stuff I don't want to hear". He adds, "I thought they would just tell me what to expect from Teddy's diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, I really thought we would be 'just a number in the system', but what I experienced was polar opposite". In the beginning, Karl felt the personal connection the team offered was much more important than the information they delivered. "I've found I will listen if I feel they respect me and my opinion, and it was obvious everyone did".

When asked what parts of the programme Teddy enjoys and how they have noticed the impact of the Centre's early intervention on Teddy's development, Karl's eyes light up, "It's all about the 'meaningful play' whether that's play sessions with Lisa or reading books with Jenny. Physio with Deborah was crucial to me, through the knowledge and tactics shared by her, it helps me as a father, to push and improve Teddys physical abilities. He's just beginning to expand his interest in music, and I also found speech with Carol another very important learning tool for both me and Teddy. It's learning while he's having fun".

And the impact on the family and work life? For Jo, her focus remained on completing her studies and her current role as an ECE Teacher at Karanga Mai, the first teen parent school in the S.I. and for Karl it was a 100% change in his 'career path'. Since Teddy's birth and diagnosis, Karl has hung up his builder's tool belt and opted to be the stay-at-home parent. Since his unanticipated immersion into the realms of early intervention, he is embarking on his own studies in special education. Karl exclaims, "This was brought on by being inspired by the work of the Champion Centre, I want to pass on knowledge from my lived experience, and be a part of other children's achievements"

We wondered how important it's been, (as one of the few regular male caregivers), to be able to connect with other families at the Centre? "Really, really good" Karl insists, "There's an instant affinity through common ground, and chatting opens up conversations that can be helpful, I hope it's helped others to talk about Teddy" And what about your shared hopes for Teddy's future, are you more confident now? "A 1,000,000%!!" he replied. "Our outlook has changed dramatically, you start with fear and, like a black dot on a white page, that's what you focus on, but over time with knowledge and support you see more than the dot, to the point where the good outweighs the bad, but you need to do that in a safe space, and the Champion Centre feels like a safe space"

​Karl continues "We want Teddy to keep thriving, I want him to be able to do what he wants to do, with little resistance from me, or his body, and with the Champion Centre, I feel it's not all on my shoulders"

With much thanks to Karl Rosewarne for sharing Teddy's first chapter with us.

Relationships are the active ingredients of the environment. They allow humans to learn, grow and develop. Some relationships are with primary caregivers and close loved ones. Others are with teachers and mentors. Many are with peers and friends. All relationships influence how we understand the world and ourselves. Whilst every child has a genetically-driven component of identity, what a child’s potential will be is inextricably linked to their relational network.

Children learn many things from each other that they cannot learn as easily from adults. They learn how to share, to engage in turn-taking, to give and receive, to wait, to take the needs of others into account and to manage their impulses. They learn how to be a good friend, and what makes a friendship succeed or fail. It is only with other children, that a child can learn how to manage a birthday party, when they are not the one being celebrated. Or to understand that when someone is blowing bubbles, other children do not appreciate when you stomp on theirs. Or that helping a friend who is struggling with a task is a good way for them to feel trust.

Opportunities for children to interact, such as in groups, offer this myriad of scenarios that build both relationship skills and enjoyment of life. Amazingly, these ‘natural’ play-based occurrences also enhance the foundation of development. When a child is managing the complexity of the relational environment, their own thinking, social-emotional skills, regulation, motor development and more understandings are all being strengthened.

Finally, groups of children interacting in the preschool years sets the stage for positive transition to, and participation in, the school setting. Learning to share the teacher’s attention, to wait whilst other children engage, to feel confident in activities with peers, to master skills of peer connection and acceptance, and to become excited about learning with others all build a foundational platform.

For these reasons, we are now offering groups at the Champion Centre as a component of our weekly programmes. Unlike groups that may naturally occur in preschools or your local playground, groups at the Champion Centre are purposeful scaffolding of development with active observation and intervention components by therapists. Groups are created with the developmental needs and next steps of children in mind. Activities are based on what therapists have noticed will help children master skills and apply energy toward appropriate learning opportunities. Groups are taken by all key therapy staff, so children will be exposed to cognitive, gross motor, fine motor, sensory, communication and musical developmental learning whilst participating in small groups with peers. Groups will also incorporate key social-emotional skills such as impulse control, self-regulation, and sharing.

As we all know, play is a child’s work and a child’s world. Through play a child can communicate, create meaning, and integrate body, mind and connection with others. Through play in groups, children take this learning to a new level, integrating the play experience with the complex, nuanced and vital relational networks in which they live, love and grow.

Here's a great way to raise funds and save some money

Rewardhub is a website where more than 150 leading brands will REWARD us with FREE donations (at no cost to you) when you shop online and are signed up to support us. It’s easy to shop and includes special discount codes on fashion, beauty, entertainment, travel, utilities, money, homewares, food, drink and much more. To learn more and sign up to our page, please visit https://rewardhub.co.nz/the-champion-centre

A cause worth championing

At the Centre, our belief is that every child, regardless of physical, intellectual, or social capacity has the right to be educated, to learn and to grow. Those most at risk are children who face a different path, as a result of disabilities and developmental delays, and their ability to thrive hinges on specialist intervention. The journey for these families and their children is unplanned and often challenging. The Champion Centre team of specialists offer children the best possible start to their lives.

Every year we work with over 200 whānau and their tamariki, as part of our intensive therapy programme. The total funding we receive from Government falls $7000 short for each child attending the Centre, annually. That's our goal!

We have set up a Givealittle page to help reach our target, and we still have a way to go. Please head to the post on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheChampionCentre or go straight to Givealittle. https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/a-cause-worth-championing to help us where you can, big or small, it will soon mount up. If you could share our plea among your family and friends, we will reach our goal, for sure!

With your help we can support our whānau to 'realise every child's potential'.

A fresh look at our gate

Every now and then, a company pops up with a kind gesture that will make an impact for years to come. We are fortunate to have known many, over the years. When we heard that a local branding company were keen to give our front sign a makeover, we jumped at the chance to lift our profile in the community, and make sure everyone knows where we are!

For the guys at Brown Kiwi Ltd, nothing was a problem, new graphics, a bigger sign, and an effortless installation. The team know all too well the importance of ensuring we are visible, and our message is clear to any potential supporters.

We are very grateful to Miles and his staff, to Juliette Capaldi from Etta Images for the photo shoot, and to the wonderful family allowing us to use this stunning photo.

Check us out when you drive past Burwood Road. We are very proud of our brand new look!

https://www.brownkiwi.com

https://www.ettaimages.co.nz