A Life of Giving: From family to community - Lisa S.

“I was born in Malaya, an army brat who moved around a lot. The first time I came to Palmerston North was in 1991 to marry my husband. We didn’t stay long, life took us back to Wellington, and later to Carterton, where we poured our hearts into fixing up our dream home. But everything changed when my daughter called to tell me she was pregnant. I didn’t even hesitate. I packed up my life and moved back to Palmy to be close to her and the kids. That was 19 years ago now, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Living with them, helping with the grandkids - it’s just magic.

My grandmother, Jessie, was the most incredible person I’ve ever known and my biggest inspiration. She had a heart of gold. She started a program at Kimberley Hospital for kids who didn’t have family visiting, rallying her church to make sure those children felt loved. She’s the reason I started working with intellectually disabled children straight out of school. And it’s funny how life comes full circle - I’m back working in that space now. I care for a young man with Down syndrome. He’s 30, and his excitement for life is infectious. We crack codes on the PlayStation, go to escape rooms, paint rocks and plant them at the Esplanade, or just walk and talk. It’s all about what he wants to do, and honestly, it’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

Over the years, I’ve worn a lot of hats. I worked for Birthright for a while and trained as a counsellor, doing my placement there about 18 years ago. I started my counselling course in the Wairarapa, then transferred to UCOL when we moved to Palmy. I volunteered as a counsellor for nearly two years, but it wasn’t for me-I wanted to take all the kids home and love them. I also spent nine years as a Lifeline counsellor, which was different because you didn’t see faces, but it was still hard. Life just kept pulling me in other directions.

It hasn’t always been easy. I was diagnosed with MS 31 years ago, and fibromyalgia joined the party eight years ago. When I first found out about the MS, I was devastated. I spent two years in a wheelchair, terrified because I didn’t know what to expect. But my mum’s partner learned reflexology just to help me, and it worked - I eventually got out of that wheelchair. These days, I know my limits. Some mornings, I wake up and just know it’s going to be a rough day. The fatigue from MS is hard, but the relentless pain from fibro is worse. Add diabetes into the mix, and it’s a lot to manage. But you just get on with it, don’t you?

Volunteering has been a lifesaver for me. I work with Just Zilch, helping sort donations, working with customers, and being part of something bigger. It’s a good way to get out of my own head. The people who come through the door have their own struggles, and being there to help feels good.

But the best part of my life is my grandkids. They’re why I get out of bed in the morning. I’ve always said I want people to remember me as someone who was never too busy when they needed me. I think that’s how my grandkids will remember me. I’m the one who says yes to the park, yes to painting rocks, yes to whatever they want to do. That’s the best thing about being a grandparent - you don’t have to make the rules; you just get to love them.

Life’s had its ups and downs, but I feel lucky. Lucky to have had a grandmother like Jessie, lucky to have my family close, and lucky to be part of a community where I can give back. It’s not always easy, but it’s a life full of love, and that’s what really matters.”