Team member story - IT'S ALL ABOUT THEIR JOY AND SMILES
For more than three decades Chrissy Carter has spent her days working within her community with people who have disabilities – and she says she is proud to see the huge changes within the sector over the years.
Chrissy has been a community facilitator for ConneXu for almost eight years and says she doesn’t just like her job, but loves it, and that’s because of the reward of seeing great enjoyment and huge smiles on a daily basis from the disabled partners she works with.
Currently Chrissy works full time as a reliever, ensuring that whenever any team member is away, their role is covered, and in turn adding a great variety to her days, she says.
“I love my work and I love my job. Every day is so different, and there is something rewarding within each day. The simple delights in life make a difference here ”
From conquering new experiences and challenges, to something as easy as making their favourite food, everything creates joy, she says.
“It gives you a different perspective on life. The small things matter and can make someone so happy.”
With a career spanning more than 30 years, it is hard to list one favourite memory she says, however some of her most recent highlights have been taking a disabled partner up in a buggy to the site of Mount Maunganui’s former Leisure Island.
“She had never been there before and just watching her take in going to somewhere new and taking in the view from a whole new perspective, and experiencing that ride, it was all just so amazing – and the joy on her face, it was just an amazing day!”
“Seeing that range emotions on their face, from being somewhere new or trying something new – it makes everything worthwhile that we do to help them live their best lives.”
ConneXu community facilitators partner with people living with a disability, helping them to live their life the way they choose, enabling a good life and empowering them to have control over their decisions and choices.
“You can make a difference in people’s lives while really enjoying your work. It is a win-win,” Chrissy says.
“There are so many more opportunities for disabled people within our communities now, and we get to help them enjoy them, and create a real positive change in their lives.”
Originally starting her career at Tokanui Hospital on the outskirts of Te Awamutu, Chrissy says the change in the industry has been significant from the institutionalised days and now places the control back into the hands of the disabled person.
“For so long that wasn’t the way things were done. Now, the emphasis is on enabling them to be an active member of their community and empowering them to live their life their way. They get to do the things they love to do, and be social, and create their own way. And we get to help with that, and that is something special.”