+++Your Voice (page one of two)


++When Susan met Simon

Sue and Simon La Barbera take turns to tell the story of how a case of mistaken identity at a Vitalise Centre led to love and marriage.

Sue's Story

"After finishing school, I decided I wanted to become a nursery nurse. I enrolled on a GNVQ in Health and Social Care. This involved doing work placements. My tutor encouraged me and my fellow students to volunteer at Netley Waterside House. I was very scared at the prospect but before I knew it the day arrived for me to go.

We got to Netley Waterside House and I remember thinking that it looked quite a nice place. Nervously we went in. We had a meeting for the volunteers in the afternoon where we were given details on what was expected of us. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I then went to meet the guest who I had been assigned to for the week. I started to relax and meet new people and as the week progressed I began to make good friends with the people there.

Before I knew it, Saturday arrived and it was time to go home. I remember crying because I didn't want to go. On the way home we were all sad. None of us wanted to leave. I remember approaching my tutor and asking her when we were going back. After my experience there, nobody could keep me away. I would return to Netley at every opportunity.

After a couple of spells of volunteering I decided to volunteer during a youth fortnight. I loved it so much that I started to do all the youth fortnights and would meet up with old friends. One particular week, I saw a man sitting on the sofa. I thought to myself 'he's nice, I'll introduce myself'. I went over to chat to him, and he introduced himself as Simon. I could not see that he had a disability so I asked him what duties he had for the week. He then explained that he was not a volunteer but a guest! Embarrassed, I made my excuses and went over to meet some of the other guests. It took me a couple of days to pluck up the courage to talk to him again after making a fool of myself, but as the week progressed we became good friends."

Read Simon's story on the next page...