Beverley Livingstone

I used to love singing to the Lord with all my voice but one day someone said to me "Beverly, you're a terrible singer. Can you just pretend that you're singing?" Well after that I had a really bad inferiority complex in regards to my singing. I knew that the Brain Injury Association in Otago ran a singing group but I had no intention of joining because I'd been told I couldn't sing.

That all changed when I was looking after a lady called Esme who had Alzheimer's. I'd heard singing can be good for people with that kind of condition and I wanted her to have a good quality of life. So I went along for Esme, it was an outing for us. She passed away three years ago but I still go because the people are lovely and I do love to sing. You don't have to be a good singer to join, but if you're keen, they do teach you breathing techniques and all sorts to improve your singing.

It was my counsellor who first suggested I contact Cathy from the Brain Injury Association because she noticed that some of the problems I was having after my head injury were getting worse. Because of my initial brain injury my speech was terrible. I couldn't guarantee that the words would come out. Sometimes I would start a conversation and my tongue would stick on the top of my mouth. I used to be a toastmaster and do speeches so it was very frustrating. I was also a fitness fanatic so when my stomach became bloated I was very self-conscious about that. When I developed other symptoms I finally contacted Cathy she was quick to get in touch with my counsellor and my doctor to sort out further testing. A few weeks later my doctor called

to tell me I had a brain tumour and I had to go to hospital straight away. Well, that was a

shock. The surgery was successful and I'm very fortunate because a lot of my symptoms could have been explained away by the head injury but Cathy and my doctor recognised that there was something else going on.

After the surgery I was so relieved to be able to speak again and the bloating disappeared. I could read a book without getting distracted and go for a walk without getting lost. I continued to receive support from the Brain Injury Association and when I began looking after Esme, that's when I asked Cathy if it would be okay to bring her along to the singing group. Because even though I'd been told I was a terrible singer I knew Esme had a lovely voice and she absolutely revelled in singing with the group. My singing has improved since I joined and I've made some lovely friends. I'd encourage anybody who's got a brain injury to come along and sing along with us. We're a friendly bunch and there's no need to be shy when there's someone like me around.

"My singing has improved since I joined and I've made some lovely friends. I'd encourage anybody who's got a brain injury to come along and sing along with us."