Couple plan respite centre for children

One Horowhenua family are making big moves to set up a new respite centre in Levin for children with special needs.

Jude and Adam Bignell, of Te Horo, are the pair behind Rainbows Respite, a charitable trust that is working on setting up a respite facility in a building on the old Kimberley Centre site in Levin.

The Bignells have two children with special needs, Sian, 11, who was brain-damaged as the result of medical misadventure, and Jack, 8, who has autism.

After 11 years of not having suitable respite from caring for their high needs elder son, Jude said she decided to take it into her own hands.

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Battle For Respite

Jude Bignell and husband Adam are in the unenviable position many families of the 900 or so special needs kids in this region are in. The Bignells’ two special needs sons, one the result of medical misadventure at birth, the other autistic, need round the clock attention.

“If we need to go to something as simple as a dental appointment, we need to feel reassured our children are safe, being well cared for and above all, are happy” Jude said. “We need to have access to a reliable respite facility where we can take our children short or medium-term.”

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