Help for the Intellectually Handicapped

If it became necessary to find an example of what can be achieved through co–operation, then the seeker need search no further than the spacious grounds of Braemar Hospital. Here, fronting Franklyn Street, is a fine new building built by the Health Department as a short stay hostel and day centre for intellectually handicapped and disturbed children, and run by the department with the full co–operation of the Nelson branch of the Intellectually Handicapped Children's Society, the Education Department and the Nelson Play Centres Association. The home is unique in New Zealand.

The idea of such a home came from the society which approached the Health Department for assistance in building one. The department thought the project an excellent one and was so impressed at its potential that it built the home at Braemar in 1965. At first it only catered for hostel children, but in recent months its facilities have been made available for day–care children. Children living at the hostel during term-time return to their homes at the weekends, but short–stay children come from all parts of New Zealand on holiday, for investigation or treatment These stay for up to two months at a time. The hostel children come from country districts around Nelson. For day–care children the home operates three days a week for pre–school children, and two days a week for older children. Voluntary workers help the regular nursing staff provide a programme of activities for the children and regular assistance has been provided by the play centres association for pre–school children. The hostel children from the country districts, living at the hostel, go each day to the society's occupation centre in Bronte Street, returning each day to the hostel. At the moment the hostel can accommodate 12 children living–in, but, because of its success, the department is preparing plans for a further wing. In this picture story of life, we show the typical day of the children. Above is the hostel, named the Iona Short Stay Home, and at right. Trainee Nurse M. A. Wilson commences her day by dressing Lloyd Baxter.

×

 

• 

×

 

•