As Long Covid Kids grows, we thought that it is important to bring our country representatives into the spotlight so you, our audience, know who we are, what we've achieved and what we continue to do for those affected by COVID-19 around the world.
Name the country that you represent and how long you have been part of the team
My name is Larisa Hockey. I have been the Lead Rep in New Zealand, since April 2022.
Tena koutou katoa – (greetings everyone)
New Zealand is new to the COVID-19 and Long Covid experience, but with Omicron now rife in the community we are catching up fast and Long Covid Kids NZ has been established in response.
What are the challenges specific to your country relating to COVID-19?
New Zealand avoided the first waves of COVID-19 due to its lockdown strategy, meaning the effects of Long Covid in the community were limited to a small number who were affected by the original or alpha variants either overseas, or in the small outbreaks New Zealand had experienced. However, in January 2022 the first cases of Omicron were recorded and by February COVID-19 was fully established. Soon afterwards the number of Long Covid sufferers started to climb among both adults and children.
What are the challenges specific to your country relating to Long Covid?
As someone who has been living with Long Covid since January 2021 and with three teenage children also living with Long Covid, I wanted to start a support group for other families facing similar challenges. It made sense to join the Long Covid Kids international charity due to their experience and the valuable resources they have developed. I have been joined by a passionate and resourceful team who are committed to improving outcomes for New Zealand Long Covid Kids.
What have you been up to since you began representing Long Covid Kids in New Zealand?
The New Zealand team includes;
Dr Anna Brooks Immunologist and Long Covid Kids Expert Champion
Dr David Davies-Payne Pediatric Radiologist, living with Long Covid & advocate
Miss Vibha Jaiswal ENT Surgeon and mother of a child with Long Covid
Kim J – Freelance writer Living with Long Covid and advocate, and mother of a child living with Long Covid
Our first steps have been to establish the Facebook support group and create a welcoming supportive space for parents of children living with ongoing COVID-19 symptoms. We are also working on awareness through Twitter and are about to start a series sharing children’s comments on how they feel living with Long Covid.
What are your plans for leading your country for Long Covid Kids going forward?
Our future focus is on:
Continuing to support parents in the support group through resources and creating a safe space to share experiences.
Raising awareness of Long Covid Kids to help parents find the support group.
Raising awareness of the impact of Long Covid on children.
Connecting with Paediatricians to create good working relationships.
Working towards getting Long Covid Kids resources accepted into schools and the health system.
Championing safe air in schools to both help children with Long Covid to be safer from repeat infections and to reduce infections overall and therefore the incidence of Long Covid.
New Zealand is just at the beginning of its COVID-19 journey and there is still a lot of education needed around Long Covid in particular. In Long Covid Kids New Zealand we are thankful to be able to learn from the experiences of other parts of the world and are committed to making a difference for our tamariki (children).
Find out more about our visit to No 10 Downing Street on 1st April 2022 to launch the new Long Covid Kids' Support Guide.
SKY FYI - FYI episode 166 - Shown on SKY news.
About
In 2021 Long Covid Kids became the first UK-based, international registered charity advocating for families, children and young people living with Long Covid.
The charity focuses on the recognition, support and recovery and has already received recognition from the NHS and the Centre for Disease Control in the USA, as well as being a recommended resource in the NICE Long Covid guidelines.
Our Mission
Purpose
We believe all children should be able to thrive and look forward to a positive future. That is why we represent and support children and young people living with Long Covid and related illnesses and the parents and caregivers that look after them.
Our Vision
To achieve recognition, support and recovery for Long Covid and related illnesses in children and young people
Support Our Work
While children are living with life-changing symptoms and families struggle to seek support, we need to be here. Your donation will be used directly to support families living with Long Covid. Find out more about our Impact.
