Stories of Hope

Life as the parent of a child with complex specialised needs can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what support is available. For years, Peter’s mum carried the weight of caring for him almost entirely on her own, alongside her partner and two other children. She loved her son deeply, but the constant demands left little space for rest or time for herself.

At 61, Alexander felt a sudden, alarming pain in his chest that spread to his stomach. Having survived a previous life-threatening condition, he knew this was serious. He was rushed to Waikato Hospital for emergency surgery. 

Adrian, an Auckland retiree, has lived through both remarkable success and devastating hardship. For over a year, he slept on and off in his car, battling medical challenges while navigating the dangers of life on the streets. One night, his car was attacked by men wielding baseball bats. “The police were chasing them, and they attacked me. That’s how volatile it is out on the streets,” he recalls.

For years, Evangeline lived in survival mode. As a single mother, every choice was made with her children in mind. She gave everything she had to keep them safe, even when she was struggling herself.

Navigating disability support can be overwhelming. For Angela, Visionwest became more than a service provider – it became a place of understanding, strength, and guidance.

Life had reached its lowest point. With nowhere to go, Questo registered as homeless. Nights were long and cold, filled with worry and uncertainty. “I was living in my car,” he recalls. “I didn’t have anywhere else.”

When Sereana moved to Auckland, she was excited about creating a home of her own for her children. Having lived with her parents, she longed for independence but the transition brought unexpected challenges.

Finding a safe and stable place to live is one of the biggest challenges facing many in Ōtautahi Christchurch today. Rising rents, limited social housing, and the high cost of living leave too many people without a place to call home. For Jasmine, this became her reality when she moved south to be closer to her daughter.

BJ has been part of the Visionwest kaimahi (staff) for several years and is currently Pou Tikanga involved with leading and developing Visionwest’s knowledge and expertise in all areas of Māori tikanga.

Nathan is Visionwest’s Head of Organisational Development. He was previously GM Community Services.