Donna & Brenda - Becoming Good Friends

Hi, I would like to introduce myself to you.  I am Brenda and I joined IA only recently.  My boss received an email about the All About Advocacy course and I asked his permission to contact them to find out more about it.  After meeting with Lorraine, an extremely enthusiastic spokesperson for advocacy, for several weeks to gain more insight I was eventually introduced to Donna as a possible Advocacy Partner.  Donna and I hit it off almost immediately and she soon asked me to take up the challenge of partnering with her.  It is a fortunate choice for both of us.  Donna is extremely witty and I have to be sharp to keep up with her sometimes.  Over the weeks we have developed a strong relationship.  I have met members of her family and she has been to meet members of my family.  I like to think we have become good friends and Donna and I can share whenever there is a need to.  We meet at least once a week and talk often by phone.  Donna is well aware that I am here when she needs me and if, or when, I cannot help I fortunately have both Lorraine and Debbie to turn to.   

I had a bit of a rough time just after meeting Donna because my mother died.  However Donna’s extremely considerate, and considers not only her feelings but mine too and that makes for a good relationship.  Donna’s the first to remind me “You must put yourself first Brenda”.   

I sincerely hope and pray that our relationship will grow from strength to strength and we will share lots of experiences in the future.  I certainly will be there for Donna as long as she wants and I just know she will be there for me too.   

We all need friends in life and Advocacy gives you the opportunity to supply and fulfil a need equally. 

I can use my knowledge and skills to aid Donna and she can help me to grow in so many different ways.  We all play a part in the great learning curve of life and IA gives us the opportunity to address any imbalance.  Thank you IA.

Donna says “It's good having a friend like Brenda and she's polite.  We get on very well together.  She’s kind and she cooked a nice dinner for me.  It makes me feel good talking to Brenda and taking her to the Link group.  It was good going out for a Christmas meal. It's good getting advice off Brenda.  She’s good and doesn't look down on others – she’s not posh and my mum likes her and everyone at the Link group likes her too.  Brenda is cool and buzzing”.

Donna & Brenda

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