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JUNE 2022 InTouch | 9 For Liz Church, her weekly yoga classes mean more than just exercise – they also create connection to the community. “Yoga classes mean I can connect socially with others in the community. I live and work alone at home so some weeks my yoga classmates are the only people I see in person other than support staff.” Liz, 61, lives in Napier and has been attendingYoga for Health classes with Janette Larrington-Lewer for more than 10 years. Liz has Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM) and says, “the gentle exercise is recommended for my condition and the class is tailored to my individual needs”. In recent years, Liz has driven to yoga class each Saturday and used a walker to go from the carpark into the building. Other class members have assisted by carrying her equipment inside and helping her into the yoga studio. However, as her condition progressed, she found it increasingly unsafe walking on the uneven surfaces to the studio. “In addition, due to social distancing with Covid-19, the class has been split and I am attending a new session with other physically disabled people, so I no longer have natural supports frommy old class members.” For these reasons and for her ongoing safety, Liz decided it was best to start attending using her power wheelchair, which required a mobility taxi to get her to and from the yoga studio. Unfortunately, Liz didn’t qualify for government subsidies so her MDANZ Fieldworker, Pip McLean, suggested she apply to the Bradley Jenkin Memorial fund for funding. “Without assistance from the Bradley Jenkin Memorial Fund, Liz would not be able to regularly attend her yoga As Liz’s condition progressed, she found getting to and from yoga challenging. But thanks to the Bradley Jenkin Memorial fund, help is on the way. My way of connecting FOR LIZ, YOGA CLASSES ARE ALL ABOUT ENGAGING THE BODY AND MIND FROM HER WHEELCHAIR classes, meaning she will become disengaged from her community and lose access to a vital tool she has to assist her in keeping her mobility,”says Pip. Because Liz is in full-time employment, she is not eligible to receive Ministry of Health funding for any costs other than personal care. Liz applied to the Bradley Jenkin Memorial Fund for the cost of a mobility taxi, for one year, to take her to and from her weekly yoga classes.“The funding will assist me to achieve my goal of attending yoga classes for as long as I am able to,”she says. “I am extremely grateful to MDANZ and the fund to allowme to continue with my yoga classes that mean so much to me.” FEATURE The Bradley Jenkin Memorial Fund The Bradley Jenkin Memorial Fund is designed to help MDANZ members with a neuromuscular condition receive funding for access opportunities and specialised resources that enable them to achieve freedom. The fund has helped members purchase specialised sports equipment, participate in sporting events, it has contributed towards the cost of obtaining a mobility dog, provided mobility equipment, and assisted with career development such as university fees and course fees. For more information go to: www.mda.org.nz/What-We-Offer/ Bradley-Jenkin-Memorial-Fund Liz driving into the mobility van funded by the BJMF.