“Learning to Say Maleesh” – Brain Injury is Not The Whole Story

An Interview with Rebecca Viney, 25th September 2014

A meeting with  Rebecca Viney whose most recent creative achievement is to author a book “Learning To Say Maleesh” led me face the learning curve and bring audio recording to Changed Lives New Journeys .

Bec is a multi-talented woman who featured in an article A Pink Bunny, Creativity, and Brain Injury focussing on a small number of people I knew who had explored a range of creative paths . It was (and is) my intention to bring interviews with each of those creative people to you. 

The hiccup and time delay has been my need to learn audio stuff. Today I bring you my first attempt at interviewing live, transcribing and audio editing. Bec agreed to be the  first. Forgive me if the editing here is somewhat clumsy I hope to build on my skills with time!

 

Our Interview About “Learning To Say Maleesh”, Life and Brain Injury

 

So I’ll go through the questions and you just answer however you want to, or not.

I will

 

So first of all I’m going to write an article about you, but also about ‘Learning to Say Maleesh’.

Oooh hopefully people will buy copies.

 

What might be good is to tell people who might read it, just a bit about the book.

I wrote ‘Learning to Say Maleesh’ because in 1989, 25 years ago today, I was hit by a car and I acquired a severe brain injury. Both my legs were broken and my right arm was broken but that doesn’t really matter. Severe brain injury. I was in a coma for 4 months, I think. And I have just written this book to let people know, that it’s not all bad. You know, like obviously I have been to hell and back, and so have a lot of other people out there.

‘Learning to Say Maleesh’ is telling people that you really can live on.

 

Do you want to just explain a bit more about why “Learning to Say Maleesh’?

My Granddad, my Mumma’s dad was in World War 2 and these are Grandad’s words and ya know whatever Grandad says I believe. He said ‘Maleesh’ means “she’ll be right”

 

What in 25 years, and particularly in creating the book, what’s helped you be successful?

Before the accident I was right handed and since the accident I’ve become left handed because I was brain injured on the left hand side of my brain which obviously buggared up the right side. And so I have been learning to draw and paint with my left hand and it’s getting there. Um I really, really, really, enjoy it. Really enjoy painting and drawing with my left hand, which I never thought I would.

 

And do you find that from using your right hand before and your left hand now for art that it’s different

Oh completely different than it was when I was right handed. But other people do it. It’s just different, totally different, as with all artists.

It’s like a different phase?

Yeah

Anything else, that has helped you to get to this point and get your book out there?

Many, many years ago I joined a choir and at the book launch my choir, the choir I am in, sung a few songs

It was beautiful to have my choir there one to support me, and then to sing their little hearts out.

So what do you think, thinking about how you’ve got to this place? It was good you talking about that it is 25 years. I didn’t realise that, when I made the date. Looking back what would you tell, say support workers and therapists what they can best do to support people?

Never ever say “Never”!

Never stop helping, even if they look like they are not getting any better. Take it from me from me they are. I was so disabled.

And what are you personally the most proud of?

I can still walk and talk and be understood, most of the time. You know we all lose the plot sometimes but yeah most of the time I walk not nearly as well as I used to, but if your legs were broken then you probably wouldn’t either.

No I can’t imagine that I would, absolutely not.


And what about in terms of the creative stuff you have been doing- since? I know you did some beautiful stuff before but in terms of some of that – you’ve done artwork, you’ve sung, you’ve written . What of that are you most proud ?

Probably my writing. Probably my book – Yeah.

 

In terms of the book what kinds of support did you have to get the book from an idea to the printed book.

I had been writing diaries forever and Dr Ponsford was one of the ones who said see if you can find someone to turn your story into a book, and then I showed some other people, quite a few other people and they said “Yeah I think you should”.

And I never ever thought it would happen you know, but it did

It did indeed and it’s fabulous

 

So what’s been the hardest thing to get used to?

As I’ve said to everyone, and I’ve probably told you before the accident, you know I’ m not kissing my own arse or anything but I was very popular. I’ve hardly got any friends, well I do, but I’ve got different sorts of friends, I‘ve got friends through brain injury and through attendant care workers and stuff. Like I don’t have any friends with brain injury

No but they are through that field

Yes I’ve been there I’ve done that

 

Who has had the biggest influence do you think, on what you’ve achieved?

Mum, of course if it wasn’t for my tiny little mum I’d probably and I’m serious here, probably still be in bed.

 

What kinds of things do you think she did that got you out of bed and here?

Oh well nurses, and especially the Doctors used to say to Mum “If Rebecca ever gets out of a coma don’t expect much” “Ta Daaaah”

They said “You don’t know a coma” and Mum looked at them and said “And you don’t know my daughter” I just love that. That’s my favourite.

 

So I have got two advice questions. One thing you would say …

First of all What’s one piece of advice you would give to people who are new to brain injury?

That have a brain injury? Yeah that have a brain injury

Never give up the fight

 

and support workers, I know you have had a few of those, and a few ups and downs over the years what do they need to know about brain injury and about how to support someone well?

Not to mess with their minds. People are people, brain injured or not you should just treat them like people.

It has made me fire so many of my workers because they just don’t treat me like a human being. Then I treat them like crap

 

Anything you think I have left out that you would like to say to the world.

Thankyou so much that’s all

 

Do you think we should tell your Mum she can come back in now?

Donna!

 

And Finally

I highly recommend “Learning to Say Maleesh” by Rebecca Viney. I believe it is a book with messages for every one of us – living with brain injury or not. A different kind of memoir, one that combines art, music and writing. Filled with humour, universal messages and a unique presentation of biography.

Of her book Bec says, early in the interview, “Oooh hopefully people will buy copies.”  Please do – You can order a copy by sending an email to – maleeshbec@gmail.com

 

Thankyou dear Bec and Donna for allowing me to practice my recording and include you here.

Please share your messages for Rebecca in the Comments below.

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