Thanks to Patricia’s compassion and advocacy, Dianne has regained a vital part of her past and her identity, her family.
Image: Dianne at the reunion, sitting with her family member.
After 28 years apart, Dianne recently had a joyful reunion with her family, as told by Patricia, House Supervisor.
When Patricia began her new role as House Supervisor at Smith Street in June 2024, she quickly discovered resident Dianne’s warm and lively presence. Known affectionately as a 'beautiful Mama', Dianne is nurturing, cheeky, and full of laughter. She also has a strong sense of independence, takes pride in supporting others, and brings a genuine community spirit to her home and those around her.
It also didn’t take long for Patricia to notice something else, Dianne’s longing for connection with her family. Dianne, who has lived in care since the age of four, was diagnosed early in life with an intellectual disability and has also experienced mental health challenges.
She spent much of her life at Kew Cottages and now calls Smith Street home, where she’s cherished by friends, staff, and her beloved 'babies', two toy dolls named Little Boy and Anna, who have been by her side since she adopted them in December 2024.
At the Smith Street Christmas party, Patricia noticed Dianne wasn't quite herself. After the party, Dianne took her by the hand and again led her to a wall of family photos in her room. Something about this moment stayed with Patricia.
“I felt compelled to reach out, even though the records clearly said the family didn’t want contact, it just didn’t feel right.” Patricia said.
After the busy holiday period, Patricia took a leap of faith. She picked up the phone, found a number listed in Dianne’s file, and called. On the other end of the line, Dianne’s sister Eyleen picked up.
“She was overjoyed to hear Dianne was alive and doing well. We spoke for over an hour,” Patricia said.
“Within days, Dianne and her family were speaking regularly on phone and video calls.”
A date was also set for a family reunion in May. On the day, Patricia and Dianne took a taxi to her sister’s home. Dianne, nervous but excited, held Patricia’s hand the whole way. What followed was a long awaited reunion, nearly three decades in the making.
Emotions ran high as Dianne was welcomed with hugs, laughter, tears and birthday gifts, with her birthday just two days earlier. Spotting slabs of beer and coke, Dianne grinned, pointed, and declared, “beer!” before cracking one open and settling in like no time had passed.
Dianne instantly recognised her nieces and nephews, now in their 30s and 40s, despite not seeing them since they were toddlers. “Hello, Aunty Di!” they called, and Dianne beamed with joy.
“Her family were amazed she still remembered them,” Patricia shared.
“Her sisters couldn’t stop hugging her.”
That day, Patricia also learned more about Dianne’s history, her Papua New Guinean heritage, her health, and even a long-lost love.
One of the gifts was a photo album filled with memories, including a clipping of a newspaper story about Dianne and her boyfriend Tomas attending a dance when she was 19.
“She kept kissing the photo and calling out, ‘Tomas!’ She would love to find him again,” Patricia said.
Although Dianne finds it difficult to express her emotions verbally, her gestures speak volumes in regards to how she feels about reuniting with her family, having found a renewed sense of happiness and purpose in her everyday life.
She often blows air kisses, smiles warmly, cradles her baby while saying, 'Mama, beautiful mama,' and signs 'sister' while saying, 'my sister.' She lovingly refers to her nieces and nephews as 'little ones'.
Dianne frequently kisses the family photos displayed in her room and proudly shares the family album created for her by her eldest sister, Julia. When out in the community, Dianne sometimes expresses a desire to buy gifts for her sisters, she selects the items herself and completes the purchases with enthusiasm.
Dianne has also expressed a heartfelt wish to cook dinner for her family in her own home, with Patricia actively working towards making this special moment happen soon. This beautiful reunion reminds us all of the power of listening, trusting instincts, and gently challenging the status quo when something doesn’t feel right.
Thanks to Patricia’s compassion and advocacy, Dianne has regained a vital part of her past and her identity, her family.
