Page 11 - Just Better Care Possible Magazine - Issue 3

SINGING TO A NEW TUNE
When a catchy song starts on the radio, Ziad and Stephen turn it up and test out their vocal chords. It’s often the perfect warm up before choir practice.
Image: choir leader Lara, Stephen and Ziad
When was the last time you tried something for the rst time? Sometimes, simply saying yes
to new opportunities can open the door to a new outlook, new friends and new possibilities.
Challenging himself to try new things was Stephen’s main aim when he joined the Newington Community Choir about three years ago.
Music hadn’t been part of his past but a few inspirational words from his daughter gave Stephen the motivation to sing from the heart. He admits he’s no Sinatra but his ability has progressively improved over the past few years.
Stephen was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis about 30 years ago: a diagnosis that came as quite a shock.
“I suddenly went numb down the side of my body. Then the doctors did some tests and the results con rmed MS,” he explained.
“It was dif cult to deal with. I was in my early 30s when it happened and it was a big shock. At that stage, I was a young man, I had young children and family commitments. I just needed to get on with it.”
”We had to make some
adjustments but my family was really supportive,” he said.
Stephen’s daughter was ipping through pages of the local newspaper when she saw a listing for the choir. Wanting to be more active, Stephen decided to give it a go.
“I felt that I wasn’t challenging myself and I got sick of not doing anything,” he said.
“I wanted to go out and do something I’d never done before.
“I was excited, nervous and a bit apprehensive before starting. I had never sung before, but I saw it as an opportunity to get motivated.
“Singing is a part of my life that I never thought I’d be doing when I was a younger man.”
His Just Better Care Support Professional Ziad drove him to his rst practice and assisted by turning the music pages.
Then Ziad decided to join the choir too.
“If he had to stand behind me to turn the pages, we thought he may as well sing along too. He has a very good singing voice!” Stephen said.
Once a month, the choir performs a varied repertoire of music for the local community,
from La Bomba through to Merry Christmas. To keep things interesting, they sometimes sing in other languages like Spanish and French.
“That requires a little more practice and concentration, but I enjoy giving it a go,” Stephen said.
“It’s important to keep pushing yourself in this life, even when it seems really dif cult. You can meet a lot of great people and achieve great things when you are willing to get outside your comfort zone and give it a go.”
Something to sing about!
In December last year, Ziad celebrated his tenth anniversary of service with Just Better Care Ryde/Parramatta. Through the years, Just Better Care has enjoyed his dedication and enthusiasm
for the job.
Congratulations Ziad! We wish you continued success for many years to come.
Visit www.justbettercare.com/ ryde-parramatta to nd out more and contact the team.
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