Last Sunday (August 10th) I tumbled out of bed at some ungodly hour, skipped breakfast, wiped the icicles from my car and rushed to Auckland International airport, to catch the 8.30 flight to Christchurch.

It was well worth it though, as I was off to attend the Cerebral Palsy society’s mid-winter Christmas lunch at the luxurious Elms Hotel.

I was part of a quartet that represented the CP Board. The others were General Manager Harvey Brunt, Treasurer Peter Atkinson, and new CP staff member Janet Chapman.

In front of the 90 plus lunchtime revellers, both Harvey and Peter spoke of present and future programs of the Society.

Check out the photos from the Lunch

One of my highlights was to hear first hand on how much of a positive impact the “getoutThere” Programme, which subsidies taxi transportation, is having on the lives of Cerebral Palsy people. Through informal conversation this father of two disabled teenage daughters told me how this programme had changed their lives.

“Before the voucher system was put in place my daughters hardly went out but now they hardly ever in, “he said with a smile.

I was a bit concern though about Peter Atkinson who attempted, but failed three times, to hoist the Cerebral Palsy banner to its full glory.

When it fell to the floor a third time I began to wonder if CP was catching, but then again it could have been something to do with Peter being out on the town until 2am the night before.

It was a great day overall with the event staged at an elegant venue, delicious food and great company, what more could we ask for. It was great to be part of this celebration