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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA)
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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261021T120000
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SUMMARY:Turn and face the strange changes” – managing puberty
DESCRIPTION:Turn and face the strange changes” – managing puberty\nKrissy will talk about the topic of puberty as it relates to her experience of raising a son with Down syndrome\, and she will make some recommendations of resources that can help young people transitioning through this important stage of life. \nPresenter\nKrissy Wright\nNational Librarian\, CCS Disability Action Library & Information Service \n\nBiography\nKrissy considers her most significant role to be a mother. Krissy believes her son Joel\, who has Down syndrome\, to be her greatest educator. Krissy brings to her role as librarian a diverse range of knowledge and lived experience relating to disability and disability related issues.\nKrissy has worked at CCS Disability Action for eight years in separate roles including: Service Coordinator\, National Administrator and\, more recently\, National Librarian for the CCS Disability Action Library and Information Service based in Ōtepoti Dunedin.\nKrissy’s past roles include managing the research library at the Donald Beasley Institute\, administration for a Paediatric Ward and Needs Assessor and Coordinator for the Otago NASC. \nTheme: Health and Puberty\nAudience: Parents\, whānau and professionals \n 
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/turn-and-face-the-strange-changes-managing-puberty/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nzdsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/krissy-wright.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261021T193000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261021T203000
DTSTAMP:20260905T002018Z
CREATED:20260905T002018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T002018Z
UID:18257-1792611000-1792614600@nzdsa.org.nz
SUMMARY:Creating a Vision for a Good Life
DESCRIPTION:Creating a Vision for a Good Life – We envisioned a meaningful and good life\, and 38 years on\, our son continues to embody that vision each day.\nSoon after the birth of her son in 1988\, Bridget was determined to create a life for Alex that would follow the same ordinary path as all children. She and Alex’s dad\, Garry\, wanted him to have a strong sense of belonging in his local neighbourhood. That he would be known and cared about because he contributed to community life. Alex would be educated and play with the local children\, work\, and eventually live in his own home. Today Alex has his own house and lives his life on his terms. The decisions made over 30 years ago continue to be lived out today. Alex lives a good life because of the vision we held for him; he has a wide circle of friends\, and he has choice and control over his daily life and decisions that he considers to be good for him. He has lived in his own home and independent of his parents for over 10 years. He is deeply loved by his family and wide circle of friends. His faith is what defines him.\nBridget understands what it takes for parents to create a vision for the future\, plan for that future\, and then make it happen. She understands that it is not easy navigating a system that doesn’t always work for you. We have never deviated from our belief in a full and inclusive life. Other parents and allies with the same commitment to inclusion have influenced our lives.\nIt has been a very intentional journey\, and like all of us\, it takes time to grow and build a good life\, and today is a good place to start if you haven’t already. \n\nPresenter\nBridget Snedden ONZM\nDown Syndrome International President\nInternational Disability Alliance Board Member \nBiography\nBridget has worked in the disability sector for almost 30 years and is President of Down Syndrome International. She is a Board Member of International Disability Alliance.\nThrough her work\, she shares what she has learned so that other parents can have every opportunity to know what’s possible for their family member with intellectual impairment and\, in particular\, people with Down syndrome. \nBridget has three adult children\, and her eldest son Alex\, has Down syndrome. Alex has a good life doing what he decides gives him meaning in his life. He has lived independently of his parents for over a decade alongside neighbours and friends. Bridget and her husband Garry have never deviated from their commitment to inclusion. Other parents and allies with the same commitment to inclusion have influenced their lives. She understands that it is not easy navigating a system that doesn’t always work for you. They have always held a strong vision for Alex. Because of this vision\, they have a good life like every other empty nester\, but with a difference. \n  \nTheme: Creating a vision\nAudience: Parents\, whānau and professionals
URL:https://nzdsa.org.nz/event/creating-a-vision-for-a-good-life/
LOCATION:Zoom\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Virtual Conference 2026
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://nzdsa.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/bridget-sneedon.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="New Zealand Down Syndrome Association":MAILTO:na@nzdsa.org.nz
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