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SUMMER 2023 InTouch | 3 NEWS ROUNDUP Disability Connect support group Disability Connect runs a Parents Support Group meeting via Zoom every Monday from 7.00 – 8.00pm. This is open to anyone seeking advice or support for parenting, upcoming Needs Assessments, starting or leaving school and anything in-between. Northern branch coffee Groups Hump Days are becoming Muscular Dystrophy Northern Branch (MDN) Coffee Group Gathering days for their members. The Hamilton Coffee Group has been running for several years, meeting on the secondWednesday of every month at the Rototuna Palmers Garden centre for ease of access and ample space. The ‘gathering’ provides an opportunity for our members to meet, be-friend, support and swap positive ideas and experiences whilst in a social setting, with the MDN Fieldworker present. The concept has been copied for the East Auckland area of the Northern Region with the inaugural ‘Hump Day’ gathering happening on the last Wednesday of every month. The first gathering will take place at Palmers Pakuranga Garden Centre with the possibility of rotating venues if thought useful. Plans are afoot to set up a similar South Auckland Gathering. Join the Whaikaha Database When Whaikaha is looking for interested people to take part in committees, steering groups and such, they can reach out to those on the database to see who might be interested on the topic matter. If you would like to join the nominations database, please go to https://www.whaikaha.govt.nz/ about-us/get-involved/join-our- nominations-database/ The Hamilton Coffee group at their October catch up. As with the Hamilton Hump Day Coffee Gathering, all members are welcome to attend and when possible, a Fieldworker will be in attendance. For further information or suggestions for other gatherings, contact Rachel Woodworth, Northern Branch Fieldworker on 021 824 018. Dates for your diary MDA National Support Office will close for the Christmas holidays on Friday 22nd December at midday. The office will open again on Wednesday 3rd January . We wish you a merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season. FSHD group meetings If you or a family member have FSHD, there is an online support group who meet every second Wednesday of the month on Zoom, from 7pm – 8pm. Email i nfo@mda.org.nz for more information!