‘I learnt to walk with my son, now I’m running a marathon’

 

After a Traumatic Brain Injury, Jason Le Masurier was told he would never walk again – instead he learned to walk alongside his young son, and is now running the Auckland Marathon in support of Brain Injury New Zealand.

Jason suffered a near fatal kite-surfing accident in 2007, receiving a brain injury so severe he was not expected to survive. He spent two years in hospital, where he was told he would not recover further.

Jason not only learned to walk, but run. He ran down the aisle at his wedding just 9 months after leaving hospital. 10 years after his accident, he ran his first marathon.

As Jason says:

 “Brain injury survivors need support and inspiration on the long road to recovery. There can be setbacks, but it’s important to keep focused and not to lose hope.”

The Auckland Marathon takes place Sunday 3rd November, 2024. Donations to support the work of Brain Injury New Zealand, and Jason’s epic marathon, can be made via his Give a Little page

To learn more about Jason’s story, listen here.

Brain Injury New Zealand Advocates for Consultation and Transparency in Whaikaha Changes and EGL Pause

Update: 27/09/2024 Response From Minister Hon Louise Upston: Letter to Lync Aronson

 

Brain Injury New Zealand, representing 14 regional associations and serving as a national voice for those affected by brain injury, has raised significant concerns over recent announcements regarding Whaikaha and the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) framework.
In a letter addressed to the Ministers for Disabilities, Health, and ACC, our organisation highlighted the lack of consultation with the disability community during the transition of Disability Support Services from Whaikaha to the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). We believe that this lack of consultation raises questions about how well the transition will align with the needs and priorities of those directly impacted by these changes.
Our stance is clear: any relocation of Disability Support Services should be back to the Ministry of Health, which is better equipped to address the holistic health and well-being needs of people living with disability. We have requested the government to provide a rationale for why these services are not being returned to the Ministry of Health.
Furthermore, we are seeking clarification on the current status of the EGL framework. Developed in consultation with disabled communities over several years, EGL represents a significant effort to integrate its principles into service provision. The pause in the rollout of EGL without consultation is concerning and contradicts the very principles and practices it stands for.
As our President, Lync Aronson, stated, “Rolling out EGL more comprehensively across the country would mean service delivery is based on need, not location. Partial rollout means location plays a determining role in the services and care one receives.”
We acknowledge the costs associated with expanding EGL models throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. However, we are calling for transparency regarding the expected duration of the pause and the steps being taken to ensure it is temporary.
Moving forward, consultation with stakeholders is not just important; it is essential. We urge the government to engage in timely and transparent dialogue with the disability community to ensure that any changes made are in line with the needs and priorities of those most affected.

View Letter: Whaikaha changes BINZ 4Sep24 060739

Brain Injury New Zealand Calls for ACC to Increase Travel and Accommodation Assistance

Update: 29/05/2024 Response From Minister Hon Matt Doocey: Response letter – Lync Aronson

 

Brain Injury New Zealand, the national body representing 14 regional organisations across the country, is advocating for the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) to increase travel and accommodation assistance rates for those who need to travel to access essential healthcare services following a brain injury.

In a letter addressed to the Honourable Matt Doocey, Minister for ACC and Associate Minister of Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health, Brain Injury New Zealand President Lync Aronson highlighted the financial difficulties faced by individuals who need to travel to access healthcare services following a brain injury. “As Minister for ACC, as well as Associate Minister of Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health, we are sure that you are aware of the financial difficulties people face when they need to travel, potentially over significant distances, to access healthcare services following brain injury,” Aronson stated.

The letter also commended the recent increases in travel assistance rates by Manatū Hauora, the Ministry of Health. “We applaud the recent increases by the Ministry of Health, whereby effective from 01 April 2024, reimbursements have increased to 34 cents per kilometre, and accommodation reimbursement to $140 per night. This increased financial assistance will allow more people to access care and support that they are entitled to receive and will lead to long-term benefits for many people with brain injury and their families.”

However, ACC’s travel reimbursement rates have not been updated since 2009, despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and significant increases in the cost of fuel and accommodation. “Clearly, current ACC mileage and accommodation rates do not reflect actual costs incurred by people and their families when accessing essential healthcare services. Inadequate rates of travel and accommodation reimbursement by ACC create significant barriers to accessing support following injury, especially for low-income families and people living in rural areas,” Aronson emphasized.

Brain Injury New Zealand strongly believes that adequate financial assistance can be the difference between someone accessing essential healthcare following an injury or going without the support they need and are entitled to receive. “Brain Injury New Zealand urges ACC to increase travel and accommodation rates to at least match the level of Manatū Hauora, to enable all ACC claimants to access essential treatment and support as covered under the ACC legislation,” Aronson stated in the letter.

We are now calling for ACC to take immediate action to address this critical issue. “Can you advise if reimbursement rates for travel and accommodation offered by ACC are on the agenda to be reviewed?” Aronson asked the Minister.

As the national voice for those affected by brain injury, Brain Injury New Zealand will continue to advocate for the rights and needs of this vulnerable population. We urge ACC to ensure that all New Zealanders have access to the care and support they need to recover from a brain injury.

For more information or to support Brain Injury New Zealand’s advocacy efforts, please visit our website at www.brain-injury.nz or contact us at admin.national@brain-injury.org.nz.

View Letter: BINZ ACC travel reimbursements 060524