Letters: A farewell from Kirsty Gerlach

Kirsty Gerlach. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

Five months ago I was given a death sentence. Neurologists analysed myriad diagnostic tests and sadly declared that I had Motor Neurone Disease. That is a no-hoper of a diagnosis, as the medical field knows well. The rapid progression of symptoms and the bulbar nature (mouth and throat) of the disease, meant the prognosis was grim indeed.

I had to leave my wonderful career as an audiologist – a career that lasted 33 fulfilling years.

To the many Rotorua clients I had the pleasure of serving and helping, you made it easy to go to work every day. You caused me to grow skilled and confident in my field of work. I was honoured to walk alongside you through the difficulties of your hearing impairment.

You taught me so much about the power of communication in the human experience – without it we are lonely wanderers. What a privilege to "restore hearing", then watch confidence rise and relationships revive.

I am not the capable professional you knew me to be, but I am still mostly well and independent. The core of my being is the same as it ever was, so I remain joyful. You see, Jesus is my core. He always was but now I experience this reality so much more. He promises to never leave me, even in the midst of terrifying loneliness, and He doesn't. He promises to give me peace when the broken world fails me, and He does. He lights up this Valley of Death with His presence and directs my gaze to a glorious future with Him. I have had so many delightful experiences in my life, more than most I would dare to say, but Jesus is my sweetest delight.

In case I fully lose the ability to speak and to write, I fondly greet and bid farewell to all of you that have touched my life. There was a grand purpose. But in case I am dramatically and wonderfully healed, and you see me walking and leaping and praising God down Tutanekai St, don't be at all surprised. Chalk it up to Jesus.

KIRSTY GERLACH
Rotorua

Block vision
Rotorua Lakes Council must stop Vision 2030. 2030 will take care of itself, leave its own mark/identity.

We must preserve the wonderful assets we have, focus on the now and take better care of skilled staff. As Dr Macpherson says (February 15) this will need a change in the council's vision.

C SPITZ
Rotorua

Wrong way round
The questions raised by Paddi Hodgkiss re the Aquatic Centre (Letters, February 14) going backwards after being well patronised and profitable for so long, do require answers. It's doubtful they will get any though.

Perhaps this is another example of the "Rotorua Way", as that results in strange doings at times. When we first came to Rotorua I quickly observed that hot taps were often fitted on the right side of a sink or hand basin. I could never fathom why, as hot taps on the left have always been the rule elsewhere and I think is a worldwide standard. Only in Rotorua do we find them on the right side. Nowhere else in the country have I ever seen them other than on the left side.

I used to wonder why until I heard that slogan, "The Rotorua way!" Back to front is the norm, obviously.

Since both issues have to do with water, it makes me wonder if the plumber who had a hand in the above has also had one in rearranging the aquatic centre. We couldn't blame our council, could we?

A.J. MacKENZIE
Rotorua