C ut up the card

Norma’s language of love

For most of us, having a window to the outside world during social isolation was good for the head and the heart. But for Norma Levitzke, who lives at Baptistcare David Buttfield Centre Residential Care in Gwelup, it had even greater significance.

It allowed the 96 year old, who has been profoundly deaf since birth, to have precious signing conversations with her family.

It’s heartwarming to see them signing, laughing and maintaining their closeness during these difficult times.

When COVID-19 lockdowns were introduced for aged care facilities, the team at David Buttfield Centre realised that while phone and video calls could help other residents stay connected to their families, it would not be as effective for Norma.

The solution – a chair positioned in clear view of an exterior door with a large windowpane, enabling her three children to sit in the garden and communicate using Auslan – the sign language of the Australian deaf community.

Norma’s son Trevor, his brother Phillip Levitzke and sister Gail Manton took turns to visit their mum for a daily chat and a laugh.

“Our Dad, who was also deaf, passed away when we were all very young, so mum brought us up and we all learnt sign language from an early age,” Trevor said.

“While Mum became quite adept at lip-reading and following oral communication, she also socialised a lot within the deaf community and has always recognised the importance of Auslan.”

“The current visitor restrictions are necessary, but our family is grateful to have found a way to keep seeing Mum and being able to have our daily conversations.”

Baptistcare David Buttfield Centre Residential Care Manager, Jane Green said whenever her team looked out and saw someone sitting on the garden chair, they knew Norma had visitors.

Norma Levitzke using sign language to connect with her loved ones during lockdown.

“It’s heartwarming to see them signing, laughing and maintaining their closeness during these difficult times,” Jane said.

“It reinforces how important it is for us to do whatever we can to help people maintain their relationships during social isolation and for families to stay in touch.”

Baptistcare CEO Russell Bricknell said he was immensely proud of the organisation’s employees working on the frontline, who have gone and above and beyond to ensure aged care residents remain connected with their loved ones.

“Helping our residents stay connected with their loved ones has been challenging in the current circumstances, but it has never been more important,” he said.

“Our team members have shown remarkable creativity and compassion to facilitate these connections, which has led to some wonderful outcomes like those experienced by the Levitzke family.”

Author – Alice Hennessy

PM’s prayer for the nation

In April, the Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison committed Australia to God in prayer as he sought to lead the nation through the COVID-19 crisis.

In a video filmed from his parliamentary office, he thanked the people of Australia for their prayers. Mr Morrison prayed the following:

“Heavenly Father, we just commit our nation to you in this terrible time of great need and suffering of so many people. And we do this also for the entire world.

In places far from this country, there are people suffering even more, going through tremendous hardship, crying out.

Lord, we pray you will hear their voice, we pray you’ll deliver them, you’ll send them peace and you’ll send them comfort. And you’ll send them strength in this time of their great, great need.

Father, give us strength here in this country, give us wisdom, give us judgment, give us encouragement.

Let your peace reign, let your love shower this nation at this time, and let your people – those who trust in you, Lord – be instruments for your love, for your compassion, for your justice, your mercy, your grace. Let us be lights, Lord in a time of great darkness.

May you lift us up at this time. May you strengthen us and encourage us. And in all things Lord, may you shine upon all of us at this time as we seek your grace, and as we seek your strength and your favour. We pray this in Jesus’ name.

We pray also for our leaders, my colleagues in parliamentary roles – it doesn’t matter what party they’re from. I pray particularly for my colleagues in the cabinet and ministers making difficult decisions each and every day.

And I especially pray for my colleagues on the National Cabinet, the premiers and chief ministers who are faced with terrible challenges that were unthinkable a few days ago, as they become realities and they must deal with them. I pray that you would keep the National Cabinet strong and united, and that we might be able to face each day and each challenge in unity of purpose. As we pray your words: ‘May your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.’

Bring peace to our world. Bring it to our nation, in Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”

I pray that you would keep the National Cabinet strong and united, and that we might be able to face each day and each challenge in unity of purpose.