Age 34 and living in a rest home

Published: 8:06PM Wednesday September 23, 2009 Source: Close Up

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As a single girl in her 30s, Robyn Rainey is your typical social butterfly.

And yet there is nothing typical about Rainey's life. Because at 34-years-old she is living in a rest home, surrounded by people more than twice her age.

It's not her choice. She has Downs Syndrome, both her parents are dead, and she has medical problems which require nursing care. And in New Zealand that means there is nowhere for her to go but a rest home.

And so Rainey is lonely. She has no friends her own age and the people around her are sick, if not dying.

She desperately wants help and desperately needs a new home. She's written to the Human Rights Commissioner to see what can be done.

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  • miriamter said on 2012-02-20 @ 19:17 NZDT: Report abusive post

    Just watched the part on the young Irish father who is going to be deported - this is the first time I have ever messaged in. Totally fell his case should be reviewed - as a tax payer in the higher income bracket - I feel that deporting him and separating their family would be such a waste of tax payer dollars, more importantly though - his daughter and wife will be separated from their father/ partner. I think it would be disgusting if this happens!!!

  • justmum said on 2012-02-08 @ 19:35 NZDT: Report abusive post

    I as a mum of four children welcome the findings of the report of childcare for under 3s. Many of my friends are ECE teachers who comment on long hours babies spend there. This report is about what is best for the child. My kids have all attended preschool/kindy for differing lengths of time. Young children attending long hours at preschool are usually from higher income homes where the reasons for returning to work is about standard of living and careers. Well done Bob

  • Remiel said on 2012-02-08 @ 19:18 NZDT: Report abusive post

    Why is it all about the mothers doing things wrong? Where is the emphasis on Dads doing the parenting? Of course, women are the ones who have to stay at home.

  • Kloe said on 2012-02-06 @ 20:07 NZDT: Report abusive post

    Mike's interview on the breastfeeding furore was well done. I find it disappointing though that the Breastfeeding Council couldn't concede that fathers being so intimately involved in their baby's life is a wonderful support for the mother and so special for the new family. My husband bottle fed our three infants their bed-time bottle with expressed breastmilk as his special time to connect without the women hovering about. Piri shows great example to other dads that they can be involved.

  • ProudGingerNinja said on 2012-02-06 @ 19:12 NZDT: Report abusive post

    Breast is best debate - I'm saddened that La Lache league have bullied the smoke free folk into taking out Piri Weepu's feeding his child a bottle - how do we not know it was breast milk in that bottle, his wife had lovingly expressed, so that Piri could have the special bonding time with his child that comes through feeding them?

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