Community Mentoring – changing peoples lives

Tina and Brian Breetz of Westward Ho, Bideford, North Devon pictured with mentor Maria
Tina’s storyTina and Brian with mentor Maria

In 2007 without any warning or recent illness Tina Breetz suffered a major heart attack during which there was a shortage of oxygen to her brain resulting in brain damage.  At the time Tina was not expected to be able to walk again if she survived at all.  However Tina had other ideas and just over a year later has not only learnt to walk again but she can also talk and make herself and her husband Brian a cup of tea.
Although Tina had made huge progress the impact of such a major change in their lifestyle was taking it toll.  Tina was extremely anxious with very low self esteem and a real lack of confidence and Brian was under enormous pressure caring for Tina and supporting her in her recovery.  It was at one of Tina’s physio sessions at Bideford Hospital that her physiotherapists Suzanne explained to her about the ‘Time for Life’ community mentoring service and Tina agreed for Suzanne to refer her.

Time for Life became involved in March 2008 with mentor Maria visiting Tina and Brian.  Since this time Tina has come on in leaps and bounds and some of the pressure than Brian was feeling has been relieved.  

Tina explained how she felt when her mentor Maria first started to come and visit her.  “I was very nervous to begin with and I was worried about what would be expected of me and that I might let everybody down. Now Maria is like a friend to me, her support and help over the last few months has made such a difference to both me and Brian.  I can now be myself when I am with Maria which to begin with I couldn’t have been.”

Maria said, “In the time that I have spent with Tina she has grown in confidence so much, it is quite amazing and she continues to improve further every time that I see her.  She can now walk confidently with the help of her walker into Westward Ho and is able to enjoy chatting whilst we are walking which is a real sign of her improved confidence and belief in her self that she can do it. Each time that we go out Tina wants to go that little bit further which shows the determination to get better and stronger that she has. ”

Maria added “Time for Life has reduced Tina’s feelings of being socially isolated and at the same time increased her feelings of self worth.  The service has also helped to build a support network for her very caring husband Brian.”

Brian and Tina have a real love of animals.  They belong to an animal charity which helps injured animals and although they do not do as much for the charity as they did they have several pets that they have ‘adopted’ over the years.  These include dogs, cats, rabbits, tortoises, birds and even at one time they looked after a seal before it was taken to the National Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, Cornwall.  

Brian said, “We have always taken in injured animals and looked after them until they are better and ready to be re-homed or released back into the wild, it is part of our life.  The only thing is that we cannot leave animals for any length of time and so getting a break away can be difficult.  Tina’s mum has been really supportive and now that Tina is more confident we have been able to go out for lunch together which we have both really enjoyed.    

Although our lives have changed dramatically and at times it has been very difficult there is one thing that has not changed and that is that Tina and I want to be together and so spending some quality time together out of the house is really special for us.”

Tina and Brian have joined the Headway Support Group which is a weekly support group for people with brain injuries. Tina said, “When Maria first suggested that we joined the support group I was very nervous and dreaded going.  Now I enjoy it as I can have a chat to other people who are in a similar situation to me.  It helps me as they know how I am feeling and they know how I am feeling and that helps.”

Much to every ones surprise Tina has wanted to get more involved with the support group.  They recently attended a charity auction in Barnstaple organised by the support group and at a local Fun Day they organised a Tombola stall to raise funds for the support group.

Day to day Tina enjoys doing word puzzles in magazines as they are helping her to improve her reading and writing and she also enjoys playing ‘Deal or no Deal’ and ‘Brain Training’ on her Nintendo DS.

Tina explained about her Christmas shopping trip that she has planned with Maria. “Maria and I are going to go Christmas shopping so that I can buy some presents for Brian.  Last year I had to ask Brian’s brother to get some for him as I would never have been able to have gone myself but this year I am determined to do it myself.”  

When asked about the future Tina told me that she has one major goal which is to cook Brian a meal.  “Brian does everything for me and never complains but I would like to be able to cook him his tea one night so he can have a break and watch the television.  It is really part of my overall goal which is to get back a sense of normality.”