AN oRDINARY LIFE

By WITT Journalism student TODD WARD

A  new group formed to help IHC clients get work in the community is achieving success.

Idea Services (IHC) is committed to providing an “Ordinary Life” for its client base.

Idea (Intellectual Disability Empowerment in Action) is an arm of the IHC, which supports the choices, hopes and goals of all those under its care, says Cathie Ward,  Taranaki area manager, who oversees 300 staff, 224 clients, 36 houses and 14 day centres.

She says many of their self advocates work full time in varied positions throughout the community.

One of the many success stories Idea have to their credit, is Nigel Wheatly (31) of Bell Block, who has been working full time as a builder for three months and earning the same pay as his fellow colleagues.

“I really, really like my job. I have learned so much. I have put up beams, mixed concrete, dug trenches. I am learning new things everyday.”

Nigel earned his break volunteering for Homes for Habitat when his future boss, Mark Eichstaedt, noticed the great work being produced.

Idea Services also have students at WITT studying horticulture, as the IHC believe education is a high priority.

“People are the most important thing in the world,” says Mrs Ward.

However, IHC needs more people to work on the programme.

“The staff we have are great, we would just like a few more in South Taranaki, so we could focus more on the individuals.”

She is very excited about the new facilities being built in Stratford, thanks to a $160,000 grant from the TSB and a $160,000 grant from Taranaki Electricity Trust.

Mrs Ward says basic life fundamentals like housing, income and education, which others take for granted, is something the clients aspire to.

“Our biggest obstacle is changing the way our clients are treated by the general public. All they want is to be ordinary.”

Eliminating barriers for New Zealanders with a disability is the main goal for the IHC, to promote a more inclusive society.