Kerry Hands

Kerry Hands

It’s nearly 17 years since I made the phone call that changed my life!

I spoke to Fred back in 1993 wanting to know about hosting. He came to visit and check that I was a suitable person and then introduced me to Nakita and her family. At the time Nakita was 15 and we got to know each other quite quickly and found common interests in markets and music and on the Sunday’s she stayed over Nakita came into the city to the crèche where I worked, getting to know my parents, brother and his family and lots of other people.

Later that year I volunteered on an IOE camp to Kangaroobie and then to Cooinda in January, where I heard there was a possible job coming up with Interchange. I applied and was successful in getting a part time position. Because of my nursing background I was asked to work with Troy, who had some medical needs, and by the time the funding ran out he had captured my heart, so he came to stay with me for a weekend a month too; a different weekend to Nakita’s. I took over running youth group on another 2 Saturdays each month and then started working for IOE full time! Life was pretty full, but I loved it!

Having Nakita and Troy in my life gave me a better understanding of what the IOE families were experiencing, although I could never know exactly what having a child with a disability is truly like.

After 8 years I had to stop having the 2 kids regularly as I was working for Interchange in Gippsland and the travel got too much – one of the saddest things I’ve ever had to do. We’ve kept in touch from time to time and they both now live out of home – Nakita in her 30s and Troy in his 20s.

There have been other kids who’ve stayed from time to time – Keeley, Elsie, Nicole, Alison and Ryan - and now there’s Ben. He visits for a weekend each month, although he’s not exactly a kid anymore. I first met Ben when he was a member of that youth group I ran. He has always made me laugh and he also likes to go to markets and to have coffee. He’s more of a friend than someone I “care” for.

I don’t know where I’d be if it wasn’t for Interchange. I’ve learned so much from the people I’ve met and made many friends. Volunteering has given me way more than I’ve ever given and it’s never been hard to do.