Raukura
“I want to build my independence as a
person so I can create a good life for myself.”
Raukura.
20-year-old Raukura first met the team at the CCS Disability Action Wellington branch after her beloved mum passed away around four years ago.
Raukura is an articulate, bubbly, and outgoing young woman who lives with a learning disability. Her impairment can make it challenging for her to understand and to retain information. Her mum was a big part of her world and could always be relied on to provide encouragement and support in Raukura’s life.
While Raukura still has a large whānau around her, she was looking for someone who could help guide her toward her goal of an independent life and hopefully build her self-belief.
She met Tahnee Hoete-Thornton, a service coordinator, and the pair have been working together ever since.
“There are so many areas where Raukura shines. When we first met, she was incredibly shy and down on herself. It’s hard to believe that she’s the same person now. She has come along leaps and bounds – and now she’s the one keeping me in line! Which is how it should be,” explains Tahnee.
The first step was to spend some time really getting to know Raukura and finding out what was important to her, then identify any barriers that were getting in her way. “I want to build my independence as a person so I can create a good life for myself,” Raukura explains. She identified moving out into her own flat as one goal, and to find work – and with that, the pair created a plan to make that a success.
Tahnee organised for a team of support workers to work alongside Raukura. One of those support workers is Vanessa, with the pair developing a relationship based on mutual respect and good humour.
“Vanessa helps me with a bit of everything. She takes me to all the different courses and places I need to go. Better than spending my own money on petrol,” Raukura jokes, while Vanessa laughs beside her.
Tahnee.
She was interested in learning to cook, so Vanessa found a free adult education programme in Porirua called WELLfed. The weekly workshops are based on harvesting kai, meal planning on a budget using fresh seasonal ingredients, and cooking skills. They have been attending for well over a year now.
“I love cooking. Especially now because it’s something that I can do on my own. It feels good to be able to cook for my family and know that it’s something that I’m good at.”
Vanessa thinks Raukura is being modest. “She’s brilliant in the kitchen. They love her at WELLfed,” she says.
Raukura has also been studying hard to build her literacy and financial management skills, knowing that these are areas that will help expand her work options but also make navigating everyday life easier.
Another significant achievement has been Raukura passing her restricted driver’s licence – a feat made even more impressive because it was on her first attempt (something that is notoriously difficult to achieve).
Raukura and Vanessa.
She worked hard, again through free adult education courses. “I did it for me, but I was keen to prove people wrong as so many people said I would never be able to get my licence. I thought: ‘You know what? I am going to do it.’ It felt really good to pass that test,” she says. Vanessa has supported her to create a CV and has tested the waters with some part-time work at a factory where her dad works. She’s continuing to build her skills with work in mind – next on her list was to try for her forklift licence to see if that will open a few doors. She is also on the waitlist for Kainga Ora social housing.
As Raukura has grown as a person, so too has her interest in her whakapapa and culture.
Tahnee is part of CCS Disability Action’s Te Pou Whirinaki – a national group of staff who help bring the organisation’s Māori development framework to life. Tahnee has now supported Raukura to travel to two Taranaki-based Karanga Maha ‘Many Voices’ hui.
The hui are guided by a community steering group and funded and organised by CCS Disability Action with the support of local volunteers. They create a space where whānau hauā (disabled Māori and their whānau) can stay on marae and connect, share stories, and learn about areas that are important to them.
“I enjoy hearing other people’s stories and getting to know them. I also liked learning the waiata, karakia and taking part in the activities. I enjoy being part of the group,” Raukura says.
It’s a space where everyone contributes. On both occasions Raukura took herself straight to the kitchen – helping to prepare, cook, and serve kai for well over 50 people, making it look effortless in the process.
With Vanessa’s support, she’s now beginning to research her whakapapa on her mum’s side – giving her an opportunity to reconnect with her memory and hopefully connect with whānau who she has never met.
She also attends a weekly Te Reo Māori course – something that Tahnee now runs for a small number of people supported by the Wellington branch. “I enjoy the classes. I have learnt my pepeha [a way of introduction], which is great.”
“It was Raukura who pushed me to start the classes. She often phones me the night before to check that I’m prepared,” jokes Tahnee.
It’s indicative of the huge change in Raukura during the time she’s worked with the team.
“I am so proud of Raukura and how far she’s come,” says Vanessa. “Her communication and confidence have broadened hugely, and she can now advocate and speak up for herself. It hasn’t always been easy for her, but she is so focussed on her aspirations and expanding her horizons. I can’t wait to see what’s next.”