Thalidomide victim can stay

Press, 24 June 1983, Page 3

Thalidomide victim can stay

PA Wellington An English thalidomide victim who fell in love at first sight with New Zealand has been allowed to stay to start a new life. After months of waiting and hoping, Terry Wiles, aged 21, his mother, father, and sister, aged 16, have been granted permanent residence in New Zealand, and are grateful for the chance given them by the Minister of Immigration, Mr Malcolm. Mr Malcolm announced the decision yesterday. The family had been searching for a country they could settle in, and having

set their hearts on New Zealand they had to wait five months for their answer.

Mrs Hazel Wiles said, “It was absolutely shattering when we were told we could stay. It is a beautiful country, and we know how privileged we are. It is a great honour, and we fully appreciate what Mr Malcolm has done.”

Mrs Wiles, who is 52, said Terry faced a mundane life in England, but New Zealand had a lot to offer him, and he had a lot to offer in return.

She said New Zealand was more suitable for what

Terry wanted to achieve, and the climate was better.

Terry Wiles was adopted by Mr and Mrs Wiles when he was nine. He was born without arms and legs as a result of a drug his mother took during pregnancy, and has only two misshapen feet.

The courage with which he overcame his disability is know world-wide through a book telling the story of how he and his new family learned to cope. “On Giant’s Shoulders” was followed by an Emmy award-winning film.

Already, in Hamilton where the Wiles plan to settle, Terry Wiles has become well known, helping other young handicapped people come to terms with their own disabilities.

“I have been talking to schoolchildren and other young people about the physically handicapped, and I would like to find a job doing that,” he said. “I want to get involved

with young people and with children with problems and hang-ups and help them overcome them.

“It is great news that we can stay, and I want to go to university next year to study psychology and the Maori language.

“I feel that if you live in another country you should learn something of its language. I have been really knocked out by the people.” Mr Len Wiles, who is 72, a retired truck driver, agreed with his son that the news was “terrific.” He came with his son to New Zealand early last year after the family had been let down by American officials who had promised them a place to live and jobs after a publicity tour. Mrs Wiles said they had sold their home in Cambridgeshire, England, and moved to the United States only to find that everything had fallen through.

“Len and Terry came to New Zealand to look round

for a month and instantly fell in love with the country. “It is like England 30 years ago: there is that feeling of comradeship, and the people are so friendly. I think it is marvellous they way the people take you into their hearts, not just their homes.” Mr Malcolm said the family’s case was clearly outside normal guidelines for immigration policy. The decision was “in the interests of both the Wiles family and New Zealand.” Terry Wiles’s wish to work helping others is believed to be a big factor in the Government’s decision to let the family stay.

Mr Malcolm said some aspects of the family’s life was well known.

“As in many other immigration cases, however, there are also special factors not necessarily known to the public that have had an influence on my decision,” he said. He did not elaborate.