Diversional therapist wins top award

• Author: Rosalie Willis
• Published date: 01 September 2021
• Publication title: Kapiti News

Receiving the Judy Cooper Excellence Award which is given to an outstanding individual who works in the diversional therapy field, Annelize stood out for her inclusion of everyone from co-workers to volunteers and residents, excelling in her career all while coping with her own disability.

Diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy when she was 17 years old, Annelize’s condition slowly deteriorated and for the past three years she has been in an electric wheelchair.

Nominated by Kāpiti registered diversional therapist and NZSDRT executive board member Yvette Hughes, the nomination said, “To encounter a diversional therapist that has a special gift to draw people to her, to truly light up the room with inspiration, is rare.

“Annelize represents the best ideals of the NZSDRT Inc where we seek to improve the lives of the people in our care with the meaningful activities we offer.

“She is a true champion for diversity with a tireless commitment to serving the people in her care.

“Annelize does not see her disability as a hindrance, but rather as an intuitive tool, that makes her more understanding and more empathetic to the vast range of diverse people she deals with on a daily basis.

“She believes in total inclusion of all races, gender, and cultural backgrounds, as well as all diverse disabilities.”

Graduating as a registered diversional therapist at the same time she was awarded the Judy Cooper Excellence Award, Annelize said, “I was hugely humbled to be nominated and receive the award.

“It was such a humbling experience having only just completed and submitted the last of my papers to become qualified.

“I always wanted to be a social worker, but my father said no because he thought I’d never earn enough money to bring everyone home with me.

“I came from the generation where you had to have something to your name and when I was first diagnosed my father wanted me to do some form of training.

“I did a secretarial course in South Africa which allowed me to work as a secretary and personal assistant at a high level. When I emigrated to New Zealand I just wanted to follow my heart and follow my dreams of being a counsellor.”

This began Annelize on the pathway to working...