World-record wheelchair attempt
Despite rainy weather in Auckland on 3 December, around 140 people in wheelchairs and supporters gathered at Eden Park for a world-record attempt to form the longest moving line of wheelchairs. While the current record of 400 remains unbeaten, the atmosphere was filled with encouragement and community spirit.
Held for International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the event recognised the valuable contribution of more than 1.1 million tāngata whaikaha (disabled people) in Aotearoa and echoes cbm’s global work supporting children and adults with disabilities in some of the world’s poorest places. The World Health Organisation estimates that around one in six people worldwide live with disability, reminding us that inclusion is both a local conversation and a global need. Music, shared conversations, and the opportunity for non-wheelchair users to participate alongside wheelchair users reflected a caring feeling of belonging, helped along by a typical Kiwi sausage sizzle.
We were pleased to connect with familiar faces from within the disability sector, including cbm Board Member Mike Potter, and journalist and disability advocate Olivia Shivas, who features in a podcast interview as part of cbm Bible Study Belonging – Reflecting on disability inclusion in the church. Both contribute significantly to strengthening understanding and engagement around disability inclusion.
At cbm, we are grateful for supporters like you, and for leaders such as Mike and Olivia, whose care for persons with disabilities, both here in Aotearoa and globally, makes events like this especially meaningful.
If your church or community feels called to advocate for disability inclusion, the Belonging Bible Study offers a thoughtful and prayerful way to begin.