Donna Browney, a Gellibrand client since 2014, is a woman who loves to joke around, but that doesn’t mean you should underestimate her.
Donna can’t communicate verbally due to a stroke, so people can sometimes assume she has challenges understanding what’s being said around her. Nothing could be further from the truth, however, as the crowd discovered at a male dance revue Donna attended.
“The performers called for volunteers from the audience,” said Evan Niceforo, one of Donna’s support workers who assisted me to interview Donna, “and some people were surprised when Donna’s hand shot up straight away – and really high!”
Donna laughed as Evan explained that the performers jumped off stage and had a dance with her, an experience she loved – and would love to do again. In fact, anything that involves joking around and having fun makes for a good day for Donna.
“That includes playing tricks on me,” Evan laughed, adding that one of her favourite tricks was to tease him by pretending to ignore him. She gave him a blank face to demonstrate, but soon started laughing.
Donna has three children and eight grandchildren, and numerous family photos decorate the walls of her room. She’s quick to nod when asked if family gives her the most joy and she loves her grandchildren laughing and having fun around her. Some of Donna’s relatives live in Ballarat, where she hopes to go for a holiday soon, while her mother, with whom she has a close relationship, lives only a few minutes’ drive from Donna. Wherever her relatives come from, they all visit Donna regularly, which puts a big smile on her face.
Speaking of putting a smile on Donna’s face, her favourite music, especially Robbie Williams, does that too. Evan supported her to attend Robbie’s most recent show at Rod Laver Arena, an exciting night that Donna chose to remember by buying a Robbie Williams t-shirt that she’s always proud to wear. The singer Pink is another of her favourite artists and Donna is hoping to catch her next time she’s in town.
Donna loves being sociable and getting out and about. That means plenty of trips to the park and the beach, as well as support to go out for lunch and coffees. She’s keen on seeing movies – yes, the Robbie Williams biopic, Better Man, was a recent must-see for her – and, of course, she’s a regular at the many events Gellibrand holds.
“She also likes to just stay at home and chill sometimes,” Evan said, adding that usually meant watching her favourite TV shows: Friends, Frasier, The Nanny, and Becker. “I’ve got to like all those shows through hanging out with Donna!”
Since being a Gellibrand client, Donna has done more rehabilitation work, which has improved her communication and mobility, including a capacity to take a few steps with a walking machine or with her physiotherapist’s support. She said she is happy at Gellibrand and finds team members are highly supportive of her. Of course, her support workers – and everyone else – must always remember one important thing about Donna: don’t underestimate her.
“When we’re out, she doesn’t like people walking slow in front of her wheelchair,” Evan laughs and Donna joins him. “She waggles her foot for them to get moving!”
