Issue 76 - Spectrum Care

Farewell to David BullockDavid passed away on Sunday 8 July, on a beautiful sunny day, while having a walk in the park and a picnic lunch.The Spectrum Care management gave wonderful support to our staff – inparticular, Maui and the Awhi team came and prayed and sung waitas andcleansed and blessed our home.Those who have worked with David would like to share the good times we’vehad together for nearly four years at DeBrett House.Canon Ball train tripDavid had such a good day. We dressed up in period costume to reflect thesteam train era. David looked so handsome with his full tux and top hat. Wejoined in the Helensville festivities with stalls and music.Round the BaysDavid achieved this for the past two years, riding his bike and sitting up sotall and proud, I knew David was having a wonderful time because he didn’twant to stop even at finish line…He kept on indicating with his hand ‘Come on! Keep going!’. To get there,we went on the train and disembarked at Britomart. David got on his bike,up the lift and out into the crowds. This didn’t phase David at all, just ‘Let’sget going!’50th celebrationsLast year, David had his 50th birthday at Valentines with his family, flatmatesand friends. He enjoyed being the centre of attention and enjoyed the music,a special cake and yummy food.Spectrum Care ballDavid enjoyed dressing up and watching and listening to all the excitement,and best of all was the wonderful feast!Spectrum Care talent quest showcaseDavid was in the Spectrum Care talent quest in a small pantomime called‘The Lost Dinosaurs in West Auckland’. We won the heats in the west andwere in the big finals for the whole of Spectrum Care. David wore a bird headand a feathery outfit with oversized wings.David did his part so well, strutting his stuff up on stage, supported byhis staff.David’s best friendDavid had a special friend William. He loved to visit William at his house,makinghimself comfortable in his La-Z-Boy chair and sharing cuppas together, aswell as Christmas parties and chats out in the garden.David loved William’s friendship and support.William is unwell himself but, on speaking to his wife, she felt the friendshipwas just as important to William as it was to David.The big adventureDavid had a big adventure on his bike to visit his sister. It was a 2km odyssey,starting with either going up the road and across the bridge and through thepark, or in reverse.The going usually got tough for the poor driver behind, who was both thepusher and the steering person, via a rather ingenious adaption...David was a tough taskmaster, indicating to either ‘Go faster!’ or ‘Don’t slowdown on the hills!’.Since David’s first achievement on his bike, we would often take other tripsto visit his Mum, Raewyn, or meet her at Christmas in the Park in Henderson.The bond between David and his mother was so special.Visiting MumOnce a fortnight we would endeavour to take David to visit his Mum. Davidloved hugs and loves from his Mum, and Mum would spoil David with herunconditional love and attention.David’s mother looked after David selflessly for 46 years. It is with greatsadness that the team at DeBrett say our final goodbye to David.Nora Butler and the DeBrett TeamFaye Vili attends her first conference!Faye attended the Growing Pacific Solutions at Waipuna Lodge on 2-4 April, which was her first-ever such event.The Growing Pacific Solutions was aimed at facilitating collaboration acrossthe mental health, addiction, disability and health sectors.Faye was greeted by a number of people who had never met her before andspoke with her about her interests, work and life in general.Faye particularly enjoyed the performances by Ria, Samoan and Tongancultural groups and the live band at the conference dinner.Overall it was a highly positive experience for her and the delegates.Nite Fuamatu – Outcomes Broker