Sharyn Smart – Page 3 – Smart Writing

Peyton Heart Project – raising awareness for suicide, bullying and other mental health issues

September 13, 2015September 14, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Emily_Julia_Jill_2015Selfie — Emily. Julia and Jill Kubin

With World Suicide Prevention Day September 10, 2015 Sharyn Smart talks with the Kubin family about their efforts to save vulnerable lives.

The Kubin household in Morristown, New Jersey, USA is bursting full of generosity, caring for others and a huge hive of industry.

Three years ago Emily created Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative. At 17 years old she wanted to help the homeless and started making hats, scarves and afghans. Her first donation was a total of eight hats. After only three and a half years she has now donated over 18,000 hats around the world and also has over 40 global spinoffs of her original initiative.

Corey Peters – World Champion sit down skier

August 29, 2015September 13, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up” – Corey Peters 2015.

Achieving World status after three years of dedicated training has been an incredible journey for Corey Peters.

“I certainly wasn’t thinking that when I first started skiing that I would be the best in the world. I couldn’t really believe I had won the World Championships.”

In September 2009 Corey was paralysed from the waist down after a jump landed terribly wrong at a motor-cross event in Taupo.

After only a couple of laps to warm up, it was time to race on an unfamiliar track. A very miscalculated decision of holding the throttle open as he hit the jump meant that he “absolutely, completely, overshot” the landing. “I was so high in the air it wasn’t funny.”

Split seconds in the air turned into what seemed like forever. “Time kind of slowed down when I was at the peak of the jump in the air.” The bike making contact with the ground, therefore landing the jump, was actually the worst thing that could have happened.

“As soon as I hit the ground, still on the bike because I landed the jump, the suspension bottomed out and my butt smacked the seat. With the suspension bottoming out it was like landing in a seated position on concrete as there was no travel left in the suspension. That was when my vertebrae completely burst on impact. In the air I just lost all feeling in my legs and ended up crashing into a wall made of hay bales.”

Upcycle Fashion Designer Zoe Beck

August 19, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Zoe Beck has impressed organisers at NZ Fashion Week with her up-cycled designed garments.

After being told she was just too young to model in 2014 the15-year-old from Tauranga is not only modelling but showing eight of her pieces this year.

“I was so excited. I have been accepted as a designer and am modelling as well,” said Beck.

Zoe has entered into the “Walk the Line Show” which is presented by the YMCA and is an amazing opportunity for young NZ designers to show off their passion and talents on an international platform. She has entered at least one garment into each category of High Fashion, Carnival, Cultural, Recycled and Open design.

Makeup artist Codi McMurray-Young in semi-finals

August 10, 2015August 19, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

11407129_873586462709805_4210803236914200279_n Makeup artist Codi McMurray-Young is one step closer to taking part in NZ Fashion Week.

“I enjoy doing makeup because I get to make people feel happy and feel good about them-selves. Movie makeup is heaps of fun because I get to make someone’s dream a reality.

The 18-year-old from Inglewood has been picked from hundreds of entries as one of five semi-finalists for the HITO Hot New Talent Competition which is part of NZ Fashion Week.

“I saw it on facebook. I said to Mum maybe I should enter. I then completely forgot about it until I went to Mums and read an email saying congratulations you got into the top 5. I got really excited.

“They said in their email there were 100s and 100s of entries so it was pretty amazing to be hand-picked for the top five.”

It is now down to the public to vote to determine the final three in each category. Voting will be open from Friday 7^th August to Friday 14^th August.

“NZ Fashion Week is the first competition that I have ever entered. It is really exciting but really, really hard as well. It’s about who you know and how many people you know. I definitely really need the votes and shares.

“Hopefully I will get enough likes go to Auckland and help out with the NZ Fashion Week and show everyone my skills.”

Jo Seagar’s devotion to Hospice and Cooking

August 9, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Jo Seagar at the release of her book "A Bit of What you Fancy" Photo by : Sharyn Smart — Jo Seagar at the release of her book “A Bit of What you Fancy”
Photo by : Sharyn Smart

Jo Seagar is well known for her passion as a cook but many people do not know about her other passion – Hospice.

In the 2014 New Years Honours she was privileged to be named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the community, including 15 years helping Hospice New Zealand.

“I’m as passionate about Hospice as I’m about cooking. I’ve been the Ambassador for all the Hospices in New Zealand since 1999. My job is to raise funds and awareness by just getting the message of Hospice out there. It’s all about a philosophy of care and living each moment surrounded by your loved ones.”

The philosophy behind Hospice and the level of care they received meant a lot to Jo and her family when her father was fighting for his life.

“I started volunteering at Hospice in 1999 shortly after the death of my father. Thanks to Hospice he was able to die peacefully at home surrounded by family.”

Ben and Chrissy Hekenui’s life changing journey

July 30, 2015October 8, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

IMG_0289E Having his legs severed off in an industrial accident in 2008 abruptly changed the direction of Ben Hekenui’s life. He talks to freelance photojournalist Sharyn Smart about life after the accident.

“It was either all of me or a part of me. And I said you aren’t going to take me!”

Ben’s positive attitude throughout his horrific ordeal comes from a life-time of playing top level sports.

“Through all my sport I’ve had that determination, courage and that never give up attitude – this won’t beat me.”

After 26 years together, his wife Chrissy keeps him in line and keeps him focused. She has lovingly stood by his side and supported him throughout his ordeal.

“Usually they say the man is the rock but in this case she’s the rock.”

Today the 43-year-old double amputee has a passion for wheelchair basketball and captains the Taranaki RollersTeam. He has recently been named in the New Zealand training squad.

“If I was still an able-bodied person I wouldn’t have known what wheelchair basketball was like. I wouldn’t have been Taranaki Person of the Year, Countdown hero or nominated for the Spirit category at the Attitude Awards held on World Disability Day.

Lantern House Trust supports community

July 14, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

This story is about two families who have gone to extreme lengths to ensure not only their own children but many families in the future have a safe, nurturing environment to grow in.

Sheri and Andy Hay’s daughter Monique is 20-years-old and has very high special needs as she has Dravet syndrome. She has autistic features and requires 24 hour care.

Monique Hay.jpg.opt401x439o0,0s401x439 Mitchell Landers 1.jpg.opt401x360o0,0s401x360

Julie and Roger’s son Mitchell has just turned 20-years-old. He has very high special needs as he has Cornelia de Lange syndrome and also requires 24 hour care.

These two special needs young adults are part of an increasing group that society is failing. More funding along with better support has to be found to work along-side families to enable their children to have a greater quality of life.

Heart but No Wins for Fighting Airs

July 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

19068447649_d2c86a8067 The Airs’ season ends winless but with huge heart.

As the season ends for the Augusta Taranaki MountainAirs the records are mounting even though win eluded them.

On Sunday night the Airs came out fighting and gave their home crowd an awesome end to the season. Aaron Fuller played an outstanding game breaking the NBL record scoring 54 points in a game and pulling in 19 rebounds.

“It feels good to take the record but it would have been a lot sweeter to finish the season with a win. Individually it is kind of good but I would have rather got a win with the team to be honest,” said Fuller.

“Tonight’s game felt pretty good until we made a mistake and didn’t go into overtime. It would have been better to have a win but I mean we had some injuries. We just kept fighting and I’m proud of our guys in how we finished the season. We just didn’t lay down and give up but we kept fighting.”

The Airs challenged the Super City Rangers the entire game with the lead changing 12 times. The Rangers jumped ahead 14 points with the Airs’ determination pulling them back in to the game.

With import Chris Hagan out with injury Houston O’Riley stepped in to help adding 11 points, five turnovers, one steal and three assists.

Airs Suffer Heavy Defeat

July 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

A win still evades the Augusta Taranaki MountainAirs as they went down heavily to the Canterbury Rams in New Plymouth last night 106 – 68.

Coach Daryn Shaw said it is a constant struggle to keep the team motivated.

“We just had no energy tonight. We were just flat. We found it hard to get into a rhythm. We just couldn’t combat their size and their zones.”

The highlight of the game was an outstanding performance by Xavier Shaw with the game high of 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and three turnovers.

“It felt good. I just tried to bring some energy off the bench. I tried to lift the intensity on the court. It was good that my shots were able to fall and it got my confidence up which was good.

“Stats wise it was probably my best game yet. I just go out there and play as hard as I can. That is all I can do.”

Quintin Bailey also made the most of his 13 minutes of game time adding six points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one turnover.

Airs come off second in scrappy battle with Rangers

July 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

The Augusta Taranaki Mountainairs attacked the James Blond Supercity Rangers head on in front of a home crowd last night at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth.

In a battle that resembled a rugby game more than a basketball game, bodies were sent flying and at one stage were even stacked up as Rangers’ Reuben Te Rangi flattened Airs’ Derek Albertson.

“On the score sheet we don’t have the biggest line ups and don’t have the biggest names. You look at that team. Anyone of their players can be in the starting five in the country really. We always look to come out and take everybody by surprise and work our arses off. I think we did a pretty good job,” said Albertson.

“We have to take positives out of everything. We only lost to them by 2 last time. We are a young inexperienced team and we are still growing.”

During most of the first quarter the Airs were matching the Rangers. Airs’ Brad Anderson was shooting well from deep while both Aaron Fuller and Dyson King-Hawea had a strong game on defence as well as attack.

Lantern House Trust brings community together to build a “home”

June 26, 2015July 3, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Dow AgriSciences

Dow AgroSciences, Habitat for Humanity and the Lantern House Trust have partnered to build a residential home in Inglewood.

The house will home up to five disabled people with their caregivers which is a first for Taranaki.

“It’s really exciting to come here and work on this house where we are collaborating to not just make it a home for a family but for the young adults who have disabilities to live together with their caretakers,” said Production Leader, Shannon Oglesby.

“This is our 6^th house in Taranaki and I’ve been involved in several that Dow has done in the United States. We are excited to get a team out today to work together to make some significant progress.

The company is very passionate about every build and uses each opportunity for team building.

“We have expertise at our manufacturing facility like electrical, construction and engineering so it was fun to get people to come out and use their skills to help.

“We’ve got people from all our different functions, manufacturing, supply chain, commercial all working together from leaders to operators to engineers. We wanted to get a cross section to come out and work together to build.”

Dow AgroSciences have been involved in Habitat for Humanity globally for over 30 years.

“This is our second one in Inglewood, though this build is different from the first, being a residential home. There are then two in New Plymouth and two in Waitara,” said office manager, Dana Candy.

“We have people volunteering today that don’t necessarily work or interact with each other each on a daily basis at work so it’s great seeing them here working alongside each other doing something a little bit different.”

Staff member and volunteer Clare Nolan said when the call went out so many people stepped forward it was overwhelming.

“I think that it is fair to say that the idea of helping out was very, very popular amongst the staff. We have got two shifts with 10 on each shift as we had more people than we could accommodate.

“We intended to paint, but of course with the weather that didn’t work out so we have been doing insulation. We have brought one of our builders with us so he is out the back helping with the carpentry. We have got some of the maintenance staff in here helping out with the roof.”

Sherry and Andy Hay along with Julie and Roger Landers formed Lantern House Trust to ensure the future care and safety of their children.

“We are all quite similar in our philosophies of raising our kids and we are quite proactive about making sure there are good choices and they have a good quality of life. We go out there actively looking for those things,” said Julie Landers.

Jay-Jay Harvey and Enrique Johns talk about week one on Dancing with the Stars

June 10, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Photo supplied “Jay-Jay Harvey and Enrique Johns please take to the floor!!”

These are words that Jay-Jay is still coming to grips with after being talked into taking part in Dancing with the Stars NZ 2015.

“At first I said no as I thought it wouldn’t be cool. I didn’t think I would have the time and I had no interest at that time. Then I got talked into it by Dom and my best friend and my boss. So I decided – oh fine I’ll do it – and now I love it!!

Jay-Jay and Enrique have spent many hours together rehearsing with Enrique talking leave from his job to ensure his full focus is on the show.

“It’s been SO tough. It is completely out of any realm of anything I have ever done before. I’m uncomfortable …..

Enrique jumps in and adds “You are out of your comfort zone! She likes to be the boss!!”

Jay-Jay bursts into laughter and admits “yea I like to be the boss.”