Vicki Smith

“having five people I lived with die in one year – I couldn’t handle that”

Vicky Smith is a woman with many layers. People who never look beyond the top layer are likely to only see Vicky’s wheelchair. They may hear Vicky’s words, but it is very possible they won’t understand what she has said.

Those who take a longer look may reach the next layer. These people will see a fiercely independent woman who knows her mind. Vicky has an opinion on every topic, and she is not afraid to share it. She will even take delight in offering a controversial opinion!  Those who reach this layer would be likely to think that not much could ever faze Vicky.

Some people – those prepared to invest a little more time, and a little of themselves – are rewarded with another layer. This third layer, in many ways is a stark contrast to the other, more public, layers. Vicky has a level of empathy and sensitivity many people never achieve. Vicky’s journey has profoundly changed and enriched her.

Vicky’s story begins years before her accident. Vicky was an outgoing schoolgirl, with a solid network of friends. She was involved in sport and happy at school. Vicky reacted to the family’s decision to move from her home town of Bendigo with resentment and bitterness.  Her world, and her security were shattered. While she understood the reasons behind this move, in the egocentric mind typical of young teenage girls, she was devastated. Vicky forged on, and began to carve out a new life for herself. However there is no doubt that the rebel in her ensured that those around her knew how much she resented the move!

Late one afternoon in October 1986, Vicky, then 16 was critically injured when the car in which she was a front seat passenger, careered off the highway and slammed into a tree. Vicky’s injuries were horrendous and she spent the next 5 months in a coma. When Vicky woke her first request was for a cigarette or “moke” as she pronounced it. Vicky’s speech, along with her mobility, were dramatically and permanently compromised. Vicky has limited use of her right hand, and her speech is difficult to understand – although those who know her discover quickly that she can articulate a ‘selection’ of words very clearly! Due, no doubt to very regular use! Vicky is patient and tolerant when people don’t initially understand her – she will repeat herself as often as necessary, but it frustrates her when people don’t even try to understand what she is saying.

On discharge from hospital, Vicky was admitted to a Ballarat nursing home. Vicky is vivacious and outgoing, and of course she made friends in the nursing home. Time and time again, she lost those friends.

“having five people I lived with die in one year – I couldn’t handle that”

Vicky hated living in a nursing home, and advocates for the need for alternative accommodation to nursing homes. While Vicky loathed her living situation, in contrast to most young people with disability who live in nursing homes, Vicki was constantly out and about – a notary in the local community.

After 20 long years in a nursing home, Vicky achieved her dream of returning to Bendigo. Vicky now sees herself as ‘home.’ One of Vicky’s sisters, a brother and her father are in Bendigo also, and Vicky is very close to them. Vicky lives in a community house with several other young people with disability, and for the first time in her adult life she is now living with her peers.

Vicky is full of courage and determination. Despite the physical challenges she faces on a daily basis, she never lets these hold her back. Vicky is independent, intelligent and sensitive. She knows she has mellowed. She has found a level of peace, and found a way to temper her anger and frustration with the hand she has been dealt.
Vicky has never let her wheelchair get the better of her – she has travelled to America, several times to Queensland and also to Byron Bay. Vicky’s willingness to share her story, and further the cause to get young people out of nursing homes is a reflection of her generosity and her empathy.