931 days ago

Unbroken Wings Authored by Glen McMillan

Glen from Central Whangarei

Unbroken Wings a girl named Lily.

Once upon a time, in the city of Whangarei, there lived an effervescent young girl named Lily. She was a talented ballet dancer, her agile movements embodying the artistry of her spirit. She was often seen dancing with the wind, her feet barely touching the ground, the city as her stage. But one fateful day, everything changed.


Lily was walking home late at night after a riveting ballet performance when an unexpected accident occurred. A reckless driver lost control of his vehicle, striking Lily before she could react. The next thing she remembered was the stark white ceiling of a hospital room. She had survived, but her spinal cord was severely damaged. The doctors gently broke the news: she would likely never dance again. Her world came crashing down around her. The stage she loved so dearly had been snatched away.

Days turned into weeks, then into months. Lily wrestled with depression, confined to her wheelchair, watching as the world moved on without her. Her dreams were shattered, her spirit broken. The city that once felt like a lively stage now loomed over her like a giant, unscalable wall.

One day, a man named Oscar moved into the house next to Lily's. He was a friendly, cheerful person who painted for a living despite being visually impaired. Oscar's unyielding spirit, despite his disability, ignited a spark of hope in Lily. She began to visit him, intrigued by his world of colours unseen.

Oscar, realizing Lily's pain mirrored his own, encouraged her to express herself again, not through dance, but through paint. Lily was hesitant at first; she thought she had lost all her artistic abilities. But Oscar insisted, "Art is not about the medium, Lily. It's about the soul that pours into it."

For the first time in months, Lily decided to give it a try. She picked up a brush, and as the colours danced on her canvas, she discovered a new way to express herself. With each stroke, she painted her emotions, her dreams, and her dance. The wheelchair didn't bind her; she was dancing again, just differently.

Lily's transformation was profound. She began to emerge from her shell of despair, reclaiming her life. Her paintings were heartfelt, filled with emotion that moved those who saw them. The city that once watched her dance was now captivated by her art.

In her struggle, Lily found a new purpose. Her life wasn't over; it had simply taken a different path. She missed dancing every day, but she found joy in her art, in the vibrancy of her paintings, in the dance of her brushstrokes. Her spirit, once crushed, now flew on unbroken wings.

She was no longer just Lily, the ballet dancer. She was Lily, the artist, the survivor, the beacon of hope. Through her journey, she discovered that while accidents can steal dreams, they can also give birth to new ones. Through her courage and resilience, she taught her city that while life can change in an instant, the spirit remains unbroken.

Authored by Glen McMillan

Please support our young disabled
www.childrenwithdisability.co.nz...

More messages from your neighbours
5 days ago

Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙

One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.

So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?

Image
Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
  • 59.5% Yes, supporting people is important!
    59.5% Complete
  • 26% No, individuals should take responsibility
    26% Complete
  • 14.5% ... It is complicated
    14.5% Complete
972 votes
6 days ago

A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?

Image
12 days ago

Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.

Image