Rooted deep in an Ashburton farmhouse echoing with love, loss and happy memories you’ll find Rose Keen, ex-farmer and Chair of the IHC’s Ashburton Branch.
For many years Rose farmed crops and a few cattle on a 140-hectare farm with her husband Barry, and their son Daniel in a tight-knit rural community.
Daniel, now in his 40s, has a disability called Angelman Syndrome and the Keens have maintained a connection with the IHC for most of his life.
In his youth, Daniel attended IHC’s preschool programme and his local school. High schooling proved slightly more difficult but with help from an IHC day programme and home care split between Rose and Barry they lived happily as a family.
Rose’s world was turned upside-down in 2009 however following Barry’s death in a rural firefighting tragedy, leaving her Daniel’s sole guardian.
In addition to her grieving, Rose faced a heart-breaking decision. With the increasing care Daniel needed as he developed, was it in his best interests to do her best as a solo mum or send him into state care far away?
“I thought if something happened to me, what would happen to him?”
Had it not been for services funded by farmers’ donations to the Calf & Rural Scheme, Daniel’s future may have been less bright.
The IHC swiftly set things in motion to ensure Daniel got the residential care he needed only a ten-minute drive from his mum, who he visits regularly. The ability to maintain these connections to family and place represents value beyond measure.
“In a rural community everybody knows who’s associated with people.
“Locally I know a lot of people that know Daniel, know me, and know who his father was. That wouldn’t happen if he was living elsewhere. He’s just thrived and grown ever since.
“You can’t put a price on family, and when you lose some very special family members it makes everybody else even more precious and important.”
Following Barry’s death, the farm was leased and while no longer involved in operations, Rose still enjoys living on the property.
“I love living here. No plans to go anywhere else anytime soon.”
Feds and the IHC recognise long-standing supporters of the scheme including those who may not be in a position to donate this year. This is a long-standing community effort and we acknowledge your past pledges which continue to make a positive difference for rural communities.
Listen to the interview with Rose here: You can’t put a price on family [7m:47s]
To arrange a donation to the IHC Calf & Rural Scheme call 0800 442 500, email [email protected] or visit www.ihc.org.nz/rural.
Useful Links:
Video overview of scheme [2m:50s]
Sale dates and how to donate
40th Anniversary of the IHC Calf Scheme – still going strong [5m:49s]
