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Roseanne's Door

by Chris Pickett

Not long after my bride and I moved onto our lifestyle block near Katikati, we had a visit from a very friendly dog. Fortunately she was wearing her registration tag which enabled us to trace her home: Just a short trot up the road from us.

"Storm" belongs to the daughter of Don and Roseanne who were minding her when she went off to meet the new neighbours. Us!

Don and I hit it off right away and I was smitten by his beautiful wife Roseanne. Shortly after this meeting (reinforced by a couple more visits by Storm !) Don invited us to bring several ofour grandchildren on a glowworm ramble on a nearby property - an activity for the Passionist Family Group from his Church and he explained what a Passionist Family Group is.

At that time we were in a state of flux and were actually attending a different Church out of the area. However, we were soon going to Mass with Don. Roseanne is unable to go to Sunday morning Mass as she is a paraplegic and her daily care takes several hours each and every morning. She is very limited in her ability to participate in many activities as her world is bordered by whether she can gain access using her very mobile but extremely heavy electric wheelchair.

In time, we also wanted to join a Passionist Family Group and were welcomed into the same group as our good friends Don and Roseanne.

After about a year, Mary's Mum moved in with us and we considered adding a Granny Flat to our lovely old farmhouse. We soon discovered that the growing list of improvements that would be needed meant that the most practical solution was going to be to replace the entire house!

By this time Don and Roseanne were firm friends and we realised just how restricted Roseanne was in the homes she was able to visit. She never entered our old home as her wheelchair was unable to climb the steps or fit through the standard width doorways.

We made the decision to build the new home with wheelchair access in mind and so kept it all on one level with all doors being of a suitable width and of course, a special door off the front patio with a gently sloping lead-in that satisfied both the building inspector and (more importantly) Don!

This we call "Roseanne's Door".

It is of special significance to us as it has become a doorway to Love, Fellowship and Sharing.

Not only did we return to the Catholic Church, but we have made many wonderful new friends which is an ongoing enrichment as we stepped forward in faith to become Parish Passionist Family Group Co-ordinators earlier this year.

Chris Pickett.