Alexia Pickering

Alexia Helen Jean Rae Pickering CNZM QSO JP (née Pilcher, 20 May 1930 – 27 April 2017) was a leading New Zealand disabilities rights campaigner. She was born with spina bifida in Petone in 1930. Aged 10 months, she was operated on by orthopaedic surgeon Alexander Gillies, and they became life-long friends. Her early education was at home or via correspondence. She was head girl at Patea School and won a scholarship to St Mary's School in Stratford, but they would not take her because of her disability. She attended Hawera High School instead.

Alexia Pickering

Alexia Helen Jean Rae Pickering CNZM QSO JP (née Pilcher, 20 May 1930 – 27 April 2017) was a leading New Zealand disabilities rights campaigner. She was born with spina bifida in Petone in 1930. Aged 10 months, she was operated on by orthopaedic surgeon Alexander Gillies, and they became life-long friends. Her early education was at home or via correspondence. She was head girl at Patea School and won a scholarship to St Mary's School in Stratford, but they would not take her because of her disability. She attended Hawera High School instead.