Victim Support

"Victim Support provides 24hr emotional support, personal advocacy and information to all people affected by crime and trauma throughout New Zealand."

This organization includes both paid and volunteer workers. There wasn't a single day of my hospital stay that I didn't have at least one visitor from Victim Support. These people were kind, generous and compassionate. Robert and John were the volunteers that visited most often. I enjoyed their visits and friendship.

Victim Support knows how to get things done. Anna, the Nelson Service Coordinator, made arrangements for Sarah's accommodations and travel upon her discharge. She did the same for me when I was released. All I had to do was show up at the airport and get on the plane. They had a volunteer come to the hospital when I was discharged. She gave me and all my gear a ride to the airport. We detoured along the way to see some of the beautiful hilltop views. I also talked her into a stop for ice cream!

I picked up a travel companion on my way from Nelson to Lower Hutt. Emily is from Traverse City MI. She graduated from Kalamazoo College with Sarah and happened to be in the Nelson area at the time. She generously agreed to allow us to 'adopt' her for awhile. She is living and traveling with us for the time being. It's good to have her here. She's good company and she and Sarah handle most of the errands, cooking, etc.

Each hospital has a group of social workers that care for its patients non-medical needs. I add them to my list of those to whom I am forever indebted and grateful.

At some point, I'll tell my stories about the generous and caring people from the city of Nelson. Anyone living in that community should be proud to call Nelson home.