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PO Box 12063, Penrose, Auckland 1642, New Zealand Freephone: 0800 800 337 NZ Phone: (09) 815 0247 International prefix (00649) Editor MDANZ National Support Office info@mda.org.nz | 0800 800 337 Design The Artset | the.artset@gmail.com www.theartset.design Contributions We welcome contributions, comments and letters to the editor. We thank all contributors to this edition. Subscriptions In Touch is available free to people with neuromuscular conditions, their families, health and education professionals and other interested people. Advertising In Touch welcomes advertising enquiries. For a rate card, contact the MDANZ office. Printing Inkprint Limited www.inkprint.co.nz | 09 441 6011 The opinions and views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. All material in this magazine is copyright. You must therefore contact the editor for permission before copying or reproducing any of it. Charities Commission Registration: CC31123 ISSN 2815-9454 (Print) ISSN 2815-7826 (Online) MDANZ would like to thank the following supporters: Nick Lingard Foundation Also thanks to the ANZ New Zealand Staff Foundation, ARA Lodge No 348 IC Charitable Trust, Independent Living Service, Lion Foundation, NZ Post Community Post, One Foundation, Richdale Charitable Trust, and the Te Pou for their continuing support. We would also like to acknowledge our corporate sponsors: ISSUE NUMBER 123 FROM THE DESK 2 Kōrero with Trevor From the desk of our Chairperson. NEWS ROUNDUP 3 Northern Branch Staff changes 4 AGM meeting times 5 Changes to the BJMF 6 Rare Disorders NZ How to glow up and show up for the month of March. 8 Dylan does good! Northern Member Dylan, shaves off his man bun for charity! FEATURES 10 A 'wish for fish' Denise Ganley enjoys a summer's day out on the water. 12 Diagnosis of FA is a challenging time Eight key contacts to help you. 20 Roedeen Aitkinson gets active thanks to BJMF Her smile couldn't be bigger. YOUR CONDITION 14 Friedreich Ataxia 19 Living a full life, one step at a time. Lydia shares her lived FA story. AUTUMN 2024 14 8 Contents 6 10 2