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MY STORY by BEA HANCOCK:
I have lived a very busy life serving 4 years in the signal corps during the war years, thereafter joined Red Cross serving an ambulance duty 6pm to 12pm, clinic duty on Saturdays 8.30am to 12pm handling mostly septic wounds and burns, also assisting the Provincial Hospital whenever short -staffed which sis not happen too often Thank Goodness!!!
Thereafter when the children were older and busy Scouters I assisted at St Paul's Church in a wide variety of duties i.e. "Men's Breakfast" Funeral Teas and Pastoral Care visiting the sick and elderly at Hospital Retirement Homes. ALSO served on the Committee of the Hospice in Stanford Hill Road caring for the destitute women and children - had some hair-raising experiences!!!
It was while I was housesitting for my son during his visit overseas that I began to feel very tired and thought I perhaps needed a holiday. A friend visited one afternoon so feeling very tired I suggested she put the kettle on for tea and promptly fell asleep on the lawn. I awoke in Westville Hospital to be told that I had had several strokes and would be paralysed for life. "No ways" thought I!! - "I'd be walking in three days," I told the doctor and he quietly said "Dream on, Mrs H, dream on!!" and I'm still dreaming!!!!!!!
Being restless it was suggested that I attend Headway, a Centre for Stroke and Brain damage "Here - thought I, no doubt I would attend lectures daily" and consequently was not over enthusiastic but with persuasion decided to attend and, much to my surprise found Cookery Lessons, Pottery, Singing, Sewing and Swimming, much fun and laughter to be a daily routine.
A daily lift to and from Headway very often tea & cake available and a score of visits to the Aquarium, museums different Beaches, Braais, Rugby etc but best of all a quiet Sympathetic Ear to listen to your Problems and heartaches always ready to give advice & comfort.
How can I help but love and appreciate Headway for the steady progress I have experienced through the years!! I'll never be an Angel! But can at least appreciate what I have!!!!
Thanks to Headway and all those who serve her so faithfully!!!
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