Honour recognises love and care for the disabled

By ANGELA GREGORY

Among the dozens of family photos which crowd the walls of June Rhind's home, four stand out.

The expensive black and white portraits in large frames are not of any of Mrs Rhind's nine children.

They are of the disabled young people in the fulltime care of the 61-year-old Pukekohe grandmother.

Mrs Rhind has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Year Honours for her services to people with disabilities.

She earned the honour by providing care far in excess of normal expectations.

Mrs Rhind has changed those in her care from having profound intellectual disabilities and extreme behavioural problems to well mannered and behaved people in her home and community.

But Mrs Rhind was bemused by the honour.

"I just do what comes naturally," she said. "It is just part of my everyday life."

Her love for what she does and quiet pride in what she has achieved extends to the bold portraits, which cost her $400 each.

The youngest of her five charges, 10-year-old Te Aroha, is an unwitting advocate for Mrs Rhind's work.

"I was really bad when I first came, eh aunty? Now I am good because I am spoiled," she pipes up.

For "auntie" or "mum" as the young people call her, it is not a matter of spoiling.

Mrs Rhind said she just tried to involve and expand the youngsters. Her lush colourful garden is a testament to their efforts.

Mrs Rhind became involved in foster care after her husband died 20 years ago.

Her own adult children are proud of their mother's work and help where they can.

Most under her care need to be showered and dressed. They have disorders as severe as autism and cri-du-chat (cry of the cat) syndrome, where language is virtually limited to mewing sounds.

"People think I'm crazy. Nobody wants them."

But Mrs Rhind said that in her home, the youngsters - once they got used to the surroundings - were "perfect".

She takes them for holidays and staff where they stay are amazed.

"They don't believe they have the problems they do because they are so well behaved.

"They wait at the table until the food is finished and wash their hands."

Mrs Rhind's seemingly limitless energy extends to working four night shifts a week at a local resthome.

She also takes part in the Counties Special Olympics as a fundraiser and coach.

Hanging on her walls between the beaming children's faces are medals won by two of her disabled foster children for athletics.