“It always a blessing to learn the wisdom from elderly people.” ― Lailah Gifty Akita

St Francis Aged Care resident, Stephen Lane.

Age: 62

Where were you born? Orange, at the old Base Hospital.

What is the most important lesson that you’ve learnt in life? Oh... now you’ve got me...  be nice to everyone.

What was the naughtiest thing you did as a child? Oh... I got up to some mischief as a child. I had an air gun when we were living out at Mullion Creek, my sisters were hanging around me when I was handling it, when I fired the gun, the slug nearly got one of my sisters in the eye.

What makes you happy? What I do like, I only started a couple of years ago, I started colouring in, when I do it, I do a fantastic job, I mean it. I don’t go over the lines. I really enjoy arts and crafts, some things I can do some I can’t do. I do also love my music, anything from the 80s I enjoy.

What’s the weirdest trend that you remember growing up? Actually... I grew my hair right down to my shoulders *laughs* it was shockin’... at the time I thought it looked pretty good.

What was your first job? I worked at Canobolas Holden, I used to wash the cars there and detail them inside.

Who is the person who influenced your life the most? My sister, she looks after me.

What is your favourite memory? When I was younger, I was always riding push bikes around, then I turned into a motorbike fanatic and then it changed to cars and I’ve loved cars ever since.

How has Covid 19 affected your life? It’s been awful, usually I go to LiveBetter on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, now I cannot go there until the ban has been lifted. I’ve been doing my activities here instead, although it’s not the same.

What are you most proud of? I try to do things that keep me going, I was very sick for a while I’ve had two strokes and a seizure amongst other things. So, I’m proud of how far I’ve come, I’m trying to pick myself up. When this is all over, I can’t wait to go back to my activities at LiveBetter.

For those feeling a bit down and out at the moment, what’s your advice on how to bounce back? Try and do something for yourself, like I have. I know it’s not easy, but you can do it. Like on the weekends, I take myself to Cook Park, it’s beautiful over there, I love it.