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WELCOME A positive year ahead Tēnā tātou katoa We hope you were able to have some time out of your usual routines to rest and enjoy the summer, whatever you chose to do. After a busy 2021 it was really nice to see the Cerebral Palsy Society office close over the Christmas and New Year period so the team could have a break. Last year was a particularly busy year for all, especially Clare our General Manager who worked tirelessly supporting the team and keeping everything moving forward. Thank you for all your hard work Clare, and of course the fabulous team of Amy, Sara, Michael, Maqymseahe, Matt, and the newer members Melanie, Kavita and Kristina. While over the last year, the board has spent considerable time and energy supporting and stabilising the team and the Society, this year holds promise of new and exciting direction and progress. We have a great strategic plan that we are looking forward to seeing implemented further, with lots of scope to increase the voice and profile of Cerebral Palsy. By the time you read this the appointment of Project and Relationship Manager – Cerebral Palsy Research and Innovation will have been made. This is a joint position with Starship Children’s Health and the Cerebral Palsy Society. The role is intended to focus on understanding the needs of the Cerebral Palsy population from an equity, health, health service, and advocacy perspective. This will nicely compliment the Society’s Membership Deep Dive Project that is underway. The project is about better understanding the needs and wants of our membership, so we can provide you with the right support. In the meantime, it’s great to see so many of you using the get Programme e-card system, and taking advantage of the grants that are available, to support you to live your best life. You can find more information about these on our website. Please feel free to contact us if you have any ideas, thoughts or feedback on board@cpsociety.org.nz . Ngā manaakitanga Meg Smith and Renata Kotua Co-Chair/President From the Co-Chairs The New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Clinical Network (NZCPCN) supports clinicians to provide high quality, cost effective and integrated Cerebral Palsy care for everyone. In March 2020, the network signed a formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Cerebral Palsy Society. This partnership provides an on-going strong consumer voice, ensures the network is progressing with plans and direction meaningful to the Society and enables collaboration on development of resources and guidelines. The network has developed a number of workstreams – the main areas of focus are: 1. The ‘voices’ of people with Cerebral Palsy and participation – what information do people want? 2. Early diagnosis and intervention 3. NZ Cerebral Palsy Register – to collect data to help with health services, benchmarking and research. 4. SDR and Intensive therapies - written material about selective dorsal rhizotomy. 5. Transition into adulthood. Full article: www.tinyurl.com/7dr35fhr Working for Kiwis with CP 4 | THE REVIEW JAN–APR 2022