By Laura Frykberg
More than 422,000 New Zealanders care for elderly and those with disabilities full time, many of whom receive no support from the Government.
An exhibition launched in wellington tonight gives some of those carers recognition in a different way.
It all started with one photo.
“All of a sudden I saw this fork pass between them. And it was so poignant because it was like all of the things she must have done to actually get to that stage where they could sit there, under the umbrella [and] enjoy the view. It must have been quite stressful for her,” says photographer Terry Winn.
The 38 photos which followed capture other carers who look after elderly or the disabled.
Terry's ambition? To raise awareness of stories like those of Karl te Nana.
The Sevens' player’s brother Peter was a boxer until a brain injury left him with a permanent disability.
He's now cared for by his wife.
Women make up 63 percent of all carers. A recent study found only eight in 300 carers remain in paid work, and many find it too hard to get assistance from the Government.
“New Zealand is a wonderful country in terms of supporting babies and young children at the beginning of life and carers need that same sort of support when life gets more difficult,” says Laurie Hilsgen of Carers NZ.
Last year the Human Rights Review Tribunal found the Government discriminatory in not paying family members who cared for their disabled adult children fulltime.
The case is still before the courts.
“If they can't get certain things in place for the ones they care for, then they're just at it all the time, and I said to one woman ‘you know instead of 24/7 it's more like 38 to me’, it's just on call and some of the stories I could tell you are just heart wrenching,” says Mr Winn.
Stories Mr Winn wants to share with others, and give recognition to those who smile in the face of adversity.
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