DPA emphasised the fact at its first conference that it did not provide services but support groups that do. CP member Honor Morton who attended that conference expressed disappointment that there were only two women nominees for the executive and no “spastic “on the executive. She also thought there should be a fairer representation of all major disabilities but welcomed the able bodied presence which she felt important to develop true integration.

The most fundamental alteration to our society was our name which changed from Spastic to Cerebral Palsy Society. The reasons given were CP is a term which covers all categories of people with the condition, while spastics strictly refers to only one, if major, category and the name Cerebral Palsy would be more acceptable internationally.

During the 80’s our Society had strong leadership where Auckland’s Mayoress Barbara Goodman chaired the committee. During this era our society established sub committees. The initial officers were Finance convenor Jim Driver, Publicity and Information convenor Steven Spring, Welfare Officer Honor Morton, Fellowship Chairman Elsie Barrowman and Parents Group convenor Mary Armstrong. Sub committees and general meetings met on alternative months

Florence Hutchins was the first (part time) paid officer of our society who started compiling an Auckland and NZ wide register of spastics. She also obtained and catalogued information for our society and supported the sub committees. She worked for the society for a little over two years.

Tom Hutchins was appointed the society’s Liaison/Information Officer initially for a 1 year full time term. His job description was to liaise with medical and related professions to promote the prevention of CP. This was a major long term goal of the society. His main aim was to increase medical related professional awareness of CP as a major disability, which needed more research both for prevention and treatment in early life. Regular readers of our society’s quarterly publication “The Review” would be aware that Tom sadly passed away earlier this year. We should never forget his fantastic contribution to the welfare of CP people and their families.

Anne Young was appointed the Society’s Welfare Officer in 1984 initially for one year (full time.) Her aim was to “help my fellow spastics help themselves” By all reports she worked very hard for the society setting up a members based action group, with the purpose of a better understanding of the existing disabled scene. She also wrote very interesting reports on various seminars she attended including sexuality and the disabled.

Admittedly I’m only scratching the surface of this period. I’m hoping to talk to as many people as possible, before 2007 ends, who were involved in our society activities to ensure a reliable history is written. So put your thinking caps on folks I need your input.