Visiting Beresford Close
When he was a child, David played cricket and football for the school team, whilst weekends meant running around getting into harmless mischief.
But from the age of just 10, David would wake up with terrible headaches. He went for tests and Doctors discovered a brain tumour. It was benign, but it would slowly reduce his mobility over the next ten years.
“I always thought I’d get better. It was devastating when one day the doctor said: ‘You’re not going to be able to go to work again, David.’ My life just caved in.”
David can’t now walk without help and uses an electronic wheelchair. He quickly gets tired, and is often in pain. The worst is when his hands cramp up, preventing David from his passion: painting beautiful wildlife pictures.
For the last 20 years, David lived with his mother. But he had few friends and often felt lonely. When his mother passed away, he knew he had to make a change.
David describes the day he heard he would be moving to Beresford Close, a John Grooms residential home in Essex, as the happiest day of his life. David moved into his own room, with a specially adapted bed and electronic equipment to make his life easier.
“There’s a family atmosphere here,” said David. “I used to ask people to make decisions for me. But since I’ve been here, the staff have encouraged me to make decisions for myself.”
David has started attending church, has taken up photography and wants to try archery. He now spends most mornings painting.
He loves to paint real life landscapes and occasionally, specially adapted transport can take him and other residents into the countryside. “I’m so lucky to be here. I have my painting, my faith and my friends. My whole life being here has completely changed.”
Your support for Action Not Disability could help more disabled people like David get out and about in specially adapted transport and take part in activities with friends.