The Adventures of a "Gangsta Granny"

"Growing up, we never had much. No house of our own, no car. Just us. I spent my childhood in Masterton. It wasn't a bad place, really. But it was lonely. Being an only child, you know? Masterton itself was alright. I guess. I didn't know any different. I lived right in town, and my best friend Janice lived just around the corner. We started school on the same day. My Mum was a policewoman and also cleaned at the State Theatre, so we got to see a lot of free movies. There was a skating rink, and a nice public pool not far away. Compared to other places, Masterton had things to do, and they were all close by.

If I could go back in time, I'd tell my younger self to enjoy those teenage years. They were good years. Masterton was a great place to grow up as a teenager. Johnny Cooper, you know, the musician? He was an entrepreneur, and he used to put on these amazing dances for young people. Big bands like the La De Da's from Auckland would play. I'd love to relive those nights. Then we moved to Palmerston North in 1986. Tony, my son, wasn't doing well in Masterton. He was born in May, and the cold really bothered him. His Dad was a truck driver, so that's why we moved.

Around 1995, I started volunteering with the Lions Club and the Rotary Club. The Lions Club organized magic shows for underprivileged children, and they also provided movie tickets for kids. I even traveled around New Zealand doing that kind of work. The businesses here were so generous. It felt good knowing that children with disabilities were getting to experience things they might not have otherwise. I guess it's because of Tony. I wanted to make sure that kids like him, kids with special needs, wouldn't feel excluded or judged. He used to get teased at the swimming pool sometimes.

Palmy was actually a good place for him to grow up. The kids at school were mostly good. There was only one incident, where he broke a ruler over another kid because they were teasing him and calling him names. They wanted him to apologize, but I wouldn't make him. But that was the only time. He didn't have a lot of friends, but the friends he did have were really good friends. He started at Monrad School, and a lot of the kids there were from different backgrounds, but they always treated him like he was special. They really cared about him.

We lost Tony in 2016. He was only 29. He had Q Deletion 21, and he suffered a cardiac arrest. And then, six years ago, I also lost my daughter, Sherie. She had a massive brain bleed. She was on life support for a while, and then they took her off. The Palmerston North hospital staff were incredible. They were so supportive, even during the Covid lockdowns. They made sure we could see her before she passed.

Even Tony, he had a lot of hospital appointments. His pediatrician noticed something was off when he was just 18 months old. He broke his arm, and the doctor said, "There's something wrong with your boy. He doesn't clean his teeth properly, he doesn't use a knife and fork." None of my kids did at that age, so I didn’t think anything of it. But, they did some tests and found that sure enough, he was missing half a chromosome.

The old house I used to live in when Tony was alive, it burned down after I moved out. Now there are five beautiful new houses built there.

I worked from the age of 16 until I retired in 2020. I really miss work and the people I worked with. But it's my birthday next month, and I'll be 74. I look 21, though. Don't tell anyone, or I won't get a job! People I worked with used to call me "Gangsta Granny." I lived in Highbury for a long time, and I got along with everyone there. They were all so friendly, so cool. I loved them all.

I even did some 'modeling' for a global hotel chain once. Well, not exactly runway stuff. I used to sell their memberships over the phone. But let me tell you, I'd put on a little show in the office, a bit of a catwalk strut. You see, I'm secretly the identical twin of Heidi Klum – didn't you know?! Everyone would get a good laugh out of it. I just love to entertain people.

I've had five kids, thirteen grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren (so far). My advice for young people growing up in Palmerston North? Never be afraid to try new things. Never judge a book by its cover. Give people a chance to show you who they really are.

And always be yourself, unless you can be Heidi Klum."