Our volunteers

FLORENCE KINGSLEY-MATTHEWS

I migrated from Sri Lanka some 30 years ago and have had extensive Banking industry experience over 25 years. I acquired a life threatening disease in 2004 whilst I was in a senior management role which shut down my heart. I ended up in a coma for 10 days on a heart & lung machine and suffered a stroke whilst in the coma; subsequently waking up unable to move my left hand side. After extensive Rehab & personal determination, I was finally able to walk and move around although I am unable to return to work and still have short term memory issues as well as some ongoing physical disabilities. I was referred to Life Moves and was later asked if I would like to become a Volunteer.

Life moves on and so have I, continuing my journey, and I am now the LifeMoves Relationship Coordinator with Peers Inspiring Peers.

BARRY GODDARD

A native Londoner, I worked for nearly two decades in the Live Music industry before I finally fell in love with the right woman, (semi) retired and moved to Melbourne.

In 2004 I suffered a brain haemorrhage and lost the ability to operate the previously dominant side of my body.

Fortunately, my period in The Royal Melbourne Hospital rehabilitation unit coincided with LifeMoves being available there and the beginnings of what has now become Peers Inspiring Peers.

The medical professionals saved my life but it is my involvement with peer support work that has made me truly alive again.

AUDREY CHEAH

I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 4 years ago. Since then, my life changed. I suffered constant fatigue and was unable to completely meet the physical and mental demands of being a senior executive in a listed financial services company.

As I was coming to the end of my rehabilitation therapy sessions, I was recommended to join LifeMoves. Having been through it, I can say to you that being on LifeMoves can make a difference. It helped me to better accept my limitations. LifeMoves was an important part of my rehabilitation journey.

DAVID BUCKLEY

I had been working for more than 30 years in the travel industry and being fortunate to travel extensively within Australia and overseas my life had a very abrupt change when on 30 July 2002 at approximately 4.10pm I suffered a stroke, which hospitalised me for 5 weeks in both Royal Melbourne and Epworth Hospitals, I then undertook 9 months of outpatient therapy at The Royal Melbourne Hospital Royal Park campus.

It was during my rehabilitation I was given the opportunity to undertake the LifeMoves programme that through its uniqueness has played a major role in me coming to terms with my new way of life.

ROBYN O’NEILL

I worked full-time as a Personal Assistant to the General Manager of a not-for-profit organisation when I had two strokes a couple of years apart. I recovered from the first one after three months and returned to work, but the second one in November 2004 was a different story. I couldn’t speak properly any more and suffered from depression which stopped me from doing everyday tasks.

All of the people on the LifeMoves programme had problems similar to me and I enjoyed the course. I knew my life had changed completely but I could still do some things the same but at a different pace and with a better outlook. It is not easy but if I hadn’t gone to the LifeMoves programme I don’t think I would be where I am today.

CHARLIE ROMANO

My name is Charlie Romano and I have MS. I have been coming to (The Royal Melbourne Hospital) Royal Park since 1999 on and off for physio and rehab. That was all going well and then in 2005 I was referred to LifeMoves. I went in possibly a bit negative and much to my surprise I met a bunch of people who were in a similar situation to me that I could relate to. Throughout the course I learnt a lot about myself and it made me an even stronger person. This benefited me in more ways than all my years of physio. When the course ended, I attended the volunteer training and became a peer.

CAROL MULINDER

My name is Carol Mulinder and I had a stroke in 1961 when I was nine years old. A year later I resumed my education at Yooralla and then I went to Coonac Rehabilitation Centre for three years. I then worked for thirty years as a library assistant, resigning in 2002. I heard about LifeMoves when Florence spoke at a stroke forum I attended; LifeMoves sounded inspiring and I knew that I wanted to do the programme. After completing LifeMoves, I volunteered with Peers Inspiring Peers because I wanted to help this worthwhile programme reach more people. I only wish such a programme had been available years ago.

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