5am, 31 December 2020 – Your Way | Kia Roha stalwart recognised in New Year Honours’ List
John McIntosh has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Her Majesty the Queen for his services to people with disabilities. John is a community liaison with
Your Way | Kia Roha and was a senior manager when the organisation established disability resource centres. They went on to become Mobility Centre stores.
Your Way | Kia Roha chief executive Megan Thomas said the stores’ primary focus on ‘getting people moving’ whatever their disability, remains as relevant today as it did back then.
“The award is a testament to John and his committment to the Hamilton and greater Waikato disability community.
“In recent times John has been a willing public speaker on behalf of Your Way | Kia Roha at functions such as Rotary, service and community groups and clubs talking about Ageing with a Disability.
“I have always been impressed by John’s commitment to raising disability issues at whatever forum he is at and going the extra mile for the disability community.
“He is an excellent work colleague whose presence lights up whatever room he enters, and his guidance is always sought by everyone at Your Way | Kia Roha.”
CITATION:
‘For services to people with disabilities’
John McIntosh – Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZOM)
John McIntosh is a regional leader in raising awareness for disability and ageing issues.
He has been a coordinator for the Support Providers Allied Network (SPAN) Trust since 2004. He co-founded and was the inaugural Chair of Progress to Health a charitable trust for mental health clients and is a committee member of Age Friendly Hamilton. He volunteered for the Disabled Persons Assembly Waikato between 2006 and 2018, including serving a 12-year term as president. He has been a statutory committee member of the Waikato District Health Board (DHB) since 2006. He was a senior manager at Life Unlimited Charitable Trust, a national provider of health and disability services, and has been responsible for the development of four disability resource centres throughout the Midland region. Mr McIntosh is a mentor, coach, and trainer to many people across the wider Waikato region, leading a team who teaches on topics that include disability awareness, accessibility matters, and the importance of universal design.
See: John McIntosh on humour, invention and rebellion
See Introduction to John McIntosh
12 August 2019 – Your Way | Kia Roha community liaison John McIntosh and trustee Lindsay Cumberpatch have today been presented with 2019 Hamilton City Civic Awards for their services to the Hamilton community, Lindsay for community development and John to the disability sector.
The awards are open to people who have made an outstanding contribution to the community. Nomination categories include involvement in the arts, dedication to people and well-being, the environment, education, and sport.
See Hamilton City Council media release.
9 February 2018 – JOHN McINTOSH is pretty blunt when asked what it’s like growing older with a disability.
“Oh, it sucks really.
“The crux of it is we all get older, but it’s worse when you’re disabled.”
The Hamilton resident was born in 1947 with scoliosis – or curvature of the spine. John has never let his disability slow him down. But, he admits, as he gets older his disability is having a bigger impact on daily life.
“In my case, my curvature of the spine is getting worse; therefore my breathing is getting worse; therefore I get more tired [sic] easily. I fatigue easily and I’ve developed glaucoma…and that’s just gradually getting worse.”
When John was very young, doctors told his parents he was unlikely to live past middle age.
“Life expectancy for people a generation ago with my condition meant they didn’t live past 40 in many instances,” he says.
John’s had to take a step back from one of his lifelong passions – performing.
“I’ve had to stop playing drums because I found that towards the end of my playing rock and roll for a long period of time, I was pretty exhausted.”
John acknowledges it’s not always easy to stay upbeat as you age, and some people may start to feel isolated.
“It’s important to take a deep breath and step outside your door. Become involved, keep active and try and stay positive,” says John.
The key is finding things to be passionate about and get involved in. John’s still working as a community liaison for Your Way | Kia Roha, a charitable trust supporting people with disability. He’s also actively involved in Disabled Persons Assembly and he loves being a part of his granddaughter’s life.
He says staying connected with people is really important.
“Surround yourself with good people – people who understand. I get a kick out of talking to other people with disability.”
But the one piece of advice he wishes he’d been told is to plan for later life.
“Planning for your future is really important, because the chances are your disability will get worse. You need to plan for two things – your financial security in retirement, and also your support needs for your disability so you can stay independent.”
John reckons independence is “important for your soul”.
“So wrap yourself with good support. However, try and stay independent as long as you can.”
Finding support
The Office for Seniors is the primary advisor to the Government on issues affecting older people, located within the Ministry of Social Development. It acts as a gateway to information and services for seniors.
Age Concern is a charitable organisation dedicated solely to people over 65 that promotes dignity, well-being, equity, and respect and provides expert information and support services in response to older people’s needs.
