ECL Braintree Day Centre makes a dream come true
ECL Braintree Learning Disabilities Day Centre recently made a dream come true for Susie Brennan who attends the service, by organising for her to meet her pop hero, Jason Donovan.
Susie, 43, has been a huge Jason Donovan fan since began his career appearing in the hit Australian soap Neighbours.
The Braintree local, has learning disabilities, epilepsy and had also overcome breast cancer. In recent years she has been battling brain cancer and her health is gradually declining.
Susie has attended ECL Braintree Learning Disabilities Day Centre twice a week for almost 20 years. Her ECL support worker Michelle Embleton got her tickets his concert at the Cliffs Pavilion on Saturday 1 March. And fellow support worker Kathryn collaborated with Jason’s manager to get VIP access for Susie to meet Jason backstage after the show.
Susie was over the moon to meet Jason who spent time chatting to her and signing her treasured scrapbook of his pictures and t-shirt. During their conversation Susie told Jason that her favourite songs are ‘Everyday’ and ‘Too Many Broken Hearts.’
Susie said: “It was a truly unforgettable experience; I have loved my gorgeous boy (her pet name for Jason) forever and it’s a life -long dream to have met him.” She continued: “The concert was alright, and I enjoyed it! He signed my book and t-shirt.”
While at the centre Susie enjoys participating in a range of activities but her favourite thing to do is sing. The centre regularly puts on Karaoke and Susie delights in singing all of her favourite Jason Donovan songs, often performing a duet of ‘Especially for You’ with support worker, Kathryn.
Her support team have helped her to create a scrapbook with pictures of Jason which she updates regularly and carries everywhere she goes. Jason singed this at their meeting, making it even more special.
To say Susie loves Jason is an understatement! She adores him and has done since he first started out in Neighbours. She is always singing his songs and showing her friends her scrapbook of his pictures. Her health has worsened over the last few years and so as soon as we heard his tour was coming to Essex, we contact his manager who kindly organised for the VIP tickets. It really was the experience of a lifetime for her - she’s still on a high from meeting him a week later. It is a memory she will treasure and we’re so pleased to have been able to make it happen for her.
ECL’s services support older people; adults with learning disabilities and/or autism; adults needing reablement services following a spell of ill health, surgery or an accident; and people with sensory needs to live safely and independently within their own homes and engage with their communities.
Its learning disabilities day services are available to people over the age of 18 years with autism and all types of learning disabilities; from mild, to severe and profound. All activities are designed to increase confidence and provide more opportunities for friendship and relationship building. The support teams work with individuals to create a personalised plan to work towards desired life goals.