Ordinary lives; Extraordinary experiences

Kathy Flanagan

Kathy Flanagan’s warm smile is the first sign of her bright personality and fun sense of humour.

She has been a resident at NZCare’s Spring Lodge in Upper Hutt for six years, and has enjoyed living there because of her close friends and “cool and funny” staff.

Today, she takes great pride in her room, which is decorated in red and pink. She has lots of posters and photos, her own stereo, a television and video-player, and a flat-screen computer.

In her spare time, she makes unique birthday and Christmas cards for her friends, family, and young niece Kera. Each card takes a massive 34-steps to complete, and the end result looks fantastic.

She said she loved it when her Mum and family came to visit. Kathy is from a big family, and has four brothers and two sisters.

Every Sunday, Kathy goes to St Joseph’s Parish in Upper Hutt, and she loves getting out-and-about.

She likes to go shopping, watch Shortland Street, and listen to her favourite Daniel O’Donnell CDs. On her wall is a signed 30th birthday card from the Irish singer and a photo from when they met. “He is good looking,” she says with a laugh.

Also on her wall, is a proud photo of her surrounded by five tanned and topless men. “It is from a girls’ night out at the cossie club,” she explains. “It was so much fun.”

Kathy loves to socialise and had a great time on Christmas Eve when Spring Lodge was filled with festive fun and karaoke. She sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

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Alison Lewis

On November 1, Alison Lewis awoke full of eagerness and excitement. Her bags were packed, her ticket was booked and her big adventure had finally arrived. She was off on a five-day holiday to Auckland, a trip she had planned and looked forward to for months.

For Alison, who had spent most of her life in The Kimberley Centre, this holiday promised many new experiences, including her first trip on a plane – which she now describes as “the best part” of her journey. Before takeoff, the pilot personally welcomed her aboard and wished her well for her holiday. Everyone clapped, and Alison put her arms in the air and let out a mighty “Yahoo!”.

One of the best things she did in Auckland was go to Kelly Tarltons, where she saw fish, stingrays and penguins. “I loved seeing the penguins jump in and out of the water. It was really good.”

Alison loves animals and is responsible for feeding and looking after her cat, Charlie Brown, who sleeps on the end of her bed every night.

Support worker Ari Aranui said it had been amazing to see Alison grow and change since she left Kimberley four years ago. “Alison’s communication has really come on. She talks easily now, which means she doesn’t get frustrated like she used to. She’s very social and loves getting home and telling everyone how her day went.”

Alison loves going shopping and enjoys her Polyventure course, where she gets to meet new people, learns how to cook, does exercise and goes to concerts.

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