It’s vital to get the support that’s best for you. Client Neil Mansfield – and his sister Pam – talk about why moving to Gellibrand was the right choice for Neil and how life-changing it’s been for him.
I met Neil Mansfield where he lives at ‘Rosella’, one of Gellibrand’s shared accommodation properties. He’d just come back from an appointment at the podiatrist and was a bit tired – but still happy to talk. Neil is always up for a chat.
“It’s quiet here,” Neil said when I asked him what was the best thing about living at Rosella. “And I can be more independent.”
Neil explained that about nine months ago he was living in a nursing home. He said the support he received there was more about a medical approach than the personal support he now receives at Gellibrand.
“I’m getting the right care at Gellibrand,” Neil said. His sister, Pam, joined our chat by speaker phone and agreed with Neil.
“It’s been a really positive move,” she said. “Everyone at Gellibrand has a lot of respect and the whole process for Neil isn’t clinical like it was at the nursing home. His care was like being in a hospital and it was intimidating for him. Now, he’s part of a house and not just living in it.”
Neil loves the fact that he has plenty of space at Rosella, so much that his family like to say he’s living in his “bachelor pad”. Both Neil and Pam agree his environment is now much more peaceful and that Gellibrand caters for his individual needs.
“It’s like chalk and cheese the comparison between where Neil was living and his life at Gellibrand,” Pam said. “He’s got nothing to worry about now.”
Neil was born and bred in Maidstone and he said life got off to a challenging start for him.
“Mum gave birth to me on the front doorstep in July and it was minus two degrees,” he said, while Pam added that Neil’s birth circumstances weren’t responsible for the disabilities with which Neil lives. “There were no mobile phones in those days,” Pam said, “so we were lucky we had good neighbours who helped Mum.”
Neil started his education at a special school, but ended up in a mainstream primary school and then at Maribyrnong High School (now Maribyrnong College). He has always had great memory skills, especially regarding the former Melways road map, and he drove his mother around town for many years.
Nowadays, Neil still loves getting out and about. He goes to church weekly and visits friends he made when living in the nursing home. He also enjoys Gellibrand’s events and gets to as many as he can, including the recent Biggest Morning Tea where he had his face painted.
“I love music,” he added, saying that folk, country, ‘70s and 80s pop, and light classical crossover were his favourites and that he likes to sing along with the hits. Neil’s family, including his sisters Pam, Lynne, and Debbie – and his brothers Robert and Andrew – are very important to him, and he sees them as much as he can. He’s also a huge fan of the Western Bulldogs.
“I like the whole team; I’ve got no favourites,” he said, adding that he’d go to games if it wasn’t so expensive. He might not play football, but he does keep active, doing the leg exercises his physio has prescribed. He cooks, too, for his housemates Vicki and Martin.
“Mainly cakes,” he said, while Pam added that Neil’s “wonderful support” includes “specially cooked meals”.
“They just open up the freezer and there you go,” she said. “It’s a personalised, warm and kind environment. I know the effort that goes into looking after Neil; it’s a big job. The Gellibrand staff are just really good people.”
Pam has to go so Neil gives her a boisterous goodbye that makes them both laugh. Then he echoes Pam’s assessment of Gellibrand.
“I’m happy here. They’re really friendly people.”
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