Just before he passed away, Bob Smith, former committee member and lifelong supporter of the Cerebral Palsy Society, completed his autobiography, ably assisted by his great friend Doug Astley. Bob insisted that any proceeds from the sale of “Overcoming Disability with Determination” will be kept as a donation, benefitting various disability groups, including our Society. Receive your copy now of this entertaining book by donating $20 to the Cerebral Palsy Society. Contact Harvey Brunt for details ph 0800-503-603 or email harvey@cpsociety.org.nz. Book Review Robert Hancox Smith, Bob to his mates, had a remarkably “normal” life for a Cerebral Palsy kiwi boy growing up in the 1930’s and 40’s.

Bob at his Bond & Bond Office

As it states in the forward to his self published autobiography “Overcoming Disability with Determination” he managed to pass School Certificate, ride a three wheeler bike, graduated to driving a car and even owed a small boat. He was married and divorced, travelled overseas and worked at Bond and Bond (later known as Associated Wholesalers), for 30 plus years. He also held various committee positions over the years, including the Cerebral Palsy Society

Bob was surrounded by a great family which included brother John and sister Joyce. Right from the start he was accepted as just another member of the family. Such support gave him the confidence to try anything and certainly he gave everything a go.

As per usual the family struggled to enrol Bob at school. Inevitably he was put into the too hard basket. Initially, through lack of choice, Bob was a pupil of the correspondence school. Fortunately his mother Betty Smith (nee Hancox) was a teacher and she gave him a good grounding in education.

However when the school gates eventually opened for him he didn’t hold back, even when it came to sports. On the practice fields he was blitzed by a cricket ball, trampled by a rugby scrum and knocked to the ground in the boxing ring. But he still got up for more. After being teased at Primary school he didn’t do too badly at Timaru High School, befriending fellow pupils and teachers who helped him overcome obstacles, like carrying books from one class to another. One of his most vivid memories was taking his typewriter to the changing room, right next door to the men’s toilet, to sit his School Cert English exam.

In 1960 Bob received a major boost to his confidence when he was employed by Bond and Bond. The company took him on for a four week trial period, checking invoices. He got the job but received under rate pay subsidized by Social Welfare. For years he diligently worked over time and finally produced enough output to receive a full clerk’s wage. He stayed at his post until 1991