I had my surgery late yesterday afternoon. Everything went really well. I wanted to say even though I don’t know you all, I absolutely love and appreciate you all with my whole heart. I can’t thank you enough for helping me make this happen. I already feel 10000 times better. Thank you, thank you, thank you. When I’m better if you ever need me for volunteer work please reach out to me and I will always be there for you all.
Xx Thank you 
May 2024
I was diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes… I was already having difficulty trying to maintain my tasks at work but was reluctant to admit… my job was at risk… declined treatment…
I owe so much to all the people involved in the ARCH Trust and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Restoring my eyesight has also restored my life .
What a wonderful group of people I have encountered since.
From the speedy reply to enquiries and courteous staff, to the effect this restoration of full sight has had on my life is unbelievable. I have now returned to work full time. If it were not for this group of generous people and their sponsors who give freely of their time and skills, I would still be ‘a ward of the state’ surviving on a welfare sickness benefit and an unnecessary drain on society (and by now slowly going round the bend. Without full sight there was little I could do safely or with any confidence.)
I give my warmest thanks to all who helped me , and to the many others that pass through your hands. I offer my support and I encourage others to support the work of this organisation, without which many people would be left in limbo on our inefficient health system.
I would like to thank Luigi Sussman and all at ARCH for giving me a better quality of life.
For four years I had suffered extreme abdominal pain and swelling from hernias. Several times I was taken to North Shore Hospital in excruciating pain only to be turned away each time. After a long period of time I received a letter stating that I was no longer on the public waiting list for an operation as they did not do hernia operations any longer.
Being on a pension and not able to afford this operation privately, I thought I would be in pain for the rest of my life.To my surprise I received a letter from ARCH for an appointment for my hernias. I was elated when I visited Luigi and he said he would perform my operation at no cost to me.
Since my hernias have been removed I am able to do things I couldn’t do previously, e.g. my gardening, walking and kicking up my heels.
I am full of gratitude to ARCH and Luigi Sussman and can only express how much I appreciate what has been done to improve my quality of life.
Thank you all you dedicated doctors who give up your time and skills to help people like me.
(Abbreviated)
… I had a major fall from a horse and landed on my right hip and shoulder. It was a massive problem as I was already a below knee amputee. I had learned to ride with a prosthesis, and represented New Zealand at the Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, winning gold and silver medals.
The fall meant I was in constant pain. I was unable to keep my prosthesis on and didn’t sleep well at all. My job riding, teaching, and caring for horses was severely limited. It was very depressing as I was a very active and competitive person.
I could not believe it when my surgeon, Matt Brick, told me about ARCH. I (went on to have) my hip repaired with a fabulous team of nurses and doctors in a wonderful hospital.
(When I got) back into training I won two major NZ titles and two qualifying scores for Rio 2016.
So thank you for all you do, your generosity. You have restored my belief in there being some lovely people out there in this world.
Words cannot really fully express how grateful I am to ARCH.
I have had ongoing hip pain and issues for the last 14 years, since I was 23. I’ve had 2 previous hip surgeries and I was told there was nothing else that could be done for me. The pain impacted on my ability to do my job properly and to engage in physical and social activities, even something as simple as cleaning the shower was an issue. The pain was always there – it was just the degree of pain which fluctuated, and something I just accepted was going to be part of my life.
My physio referred me to a private orthopaedic surgeon, Matthew Brick. He told me surgery was actually possible, but my husband and I simply couldn’t afford the private cost and the surgery was not available through my DHB.
I am incredibly grateful to Matthew Brick for mentioning ARCH and I am beyond grateful to ARCH for approving my hip surgery – it has given me hope that I can live a mostly pain free life.
My surgery was done 6 weeks ago and while the recovery and rehabilitation is slow, which is expected, I at least now have a chance to lead a more normal life. I hope to one day walk the Tongariro Crossing, something that pain would have stopped me from doing before and certainly something that would never have been possible without ARCH.
So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
Thank you for giving people who fall through the gaps in our health system and don’t have the financial means to pay privately, a chance to lead more normal lives and thank you so much for giving me that opportunity.
Dear Trust members,
I wish to thank you for accepting my referral from Keith Miller at Visique, Tauranga and for arranging my appointments with Re:Vision Auckland. Dr Mo Ziaei and his team could not have been kinder to either my son (who took me to all appointments) or myself. I was especially delighted with the results of the cataract surgery when I discovered I could read the daily paper after struggling with magnifying glasses on top of my glasses. I’m waiting for new glasses and hope to be able to drive myself again instead of having to ask friends to drive me to appointments.
Just thought I’d let you know that my surgery went really well and my recovery has been really good too. My back is already feeling so much better – I’m no longer hunching over like I used to and the pain I had is practically gone too. I know it’s a little way off yet, but I’m looking forward to returning to a more active lifestyle once I’m fully recovered – something I’d never have been able to do if it weren’t for you and everyone else who helped make this surgery a possibility for me. You’ve truly changed my life, and for that I am forever thankful. Words can’t even describe how much I appreciate what you’ve done for me. Thank you all so much!!
Best regards,
Amy.
Dear ARCH, I am reaching out to offer my most sincere gratitude for my recent surgery and second one in the near future. At just 20 years old I came to the conclusion that I was going to have to live with constant discomfort until I was old enough to fund the required surgery myself. However, because of you this is no longer something that will play on my mind. I can now continue to do what I love and be involved with cricket for as long as my improved hips will allow, with the appreciation that this may have been a different scenario if it wasn’t for ARCH. You have truly changed my life and taken a financial burden off my hands. I can assure you that this opportunity will not be taken advantage of and I will be forever grateful. Many thanks again,
Sincerely Monique Rees.
April 2021