Gweneth Hosking is a remarkable woman by any standard.

Seventy seven years ago Gwen was born with double club feet. That means that when she was born both her feet where facing towards her back and not forward as usual. Today this challenge can be more easily corrected (it’s still not easy) but in the late 1920’s to mid 1940’s this was an enormous challenge. Her parents were both ministers and money was very scarce but their beloved daughter needed many, many operations and nothing was going to stop them from finding the money so she could have all the opportunities they could give her. Fortunately they were blessed with friends who offered to lend them the money needed for all those operations.

When Gwen was a year or so old, a social worker visiting from London told her parents not to waste their money on the operations because she would only end up in a wheelchair. They replied, “Well, after we have done all we can and if she ends up in a wheelchair at least we will have done our best by her”.

She had her first operation for her feet at one month old and her last at 15 years of age. She had her bones broken, reset and grafted but she came out of the experience with a lot of endurance and fortitude.

In addition to her club feet Gwen has experienced life threatening cancer twice; had both her right shoulder and right knee totally replaced; she suffers from arthritis throughout her body. She has endured a stroke and the many TIAs that have followed. She has also had a pace maker inserted to keep her wonderful heart pumping every day.

Even so she has lived a very full and demanding life. She married at 19; raised 5 children; worked in the family businesses; was widowed at 49; earned her own living until she was 70 and belonged to several committees and contributed wherever possible.

When something needs to be done Gwen just does it! And, does it well!

At various stages throughout her life Gwen has been acted as Carers and also knows the challenges faced by people who are cared for. Gwen is a perfect example of a strong and vital woman who has overcome many obstacles. She is a wonderful role model for others and we know she will be a remarkable Ambassador for The Friendship Foundation Limited.

Cheryl contribution to developing the momentum that has allowed the organisation to be established can not be underestimated. Ten years ago her son, Jonathan, was severely injured in an accident. Doctors did not expect him to life let alone recover. His parents were told if he did live he would never walk, talk or live a productive life. He has achieved all of that and more.

Cheryl is the author of three books on brain injury:

‘There‘s Always Hope, Just Alter The Dreams’, NSW HEALTH - May, 2006
‘The Courage to Care ‘ NSW HEALTH - September 2007

‘Paper Cranes — A Mother ‘s Story of Courage & Determination’. This book is her masterpiece. Paper Cranes tells the story of personal journey; the pain and the subsequent achievements.

She is a consumer representative/advocate with the Greater Metropolitan Clinical Taskforce – Brain Injury Rehabilitation Directorate.

She applied for this honorary position with the expectation of improving clinicians’ understanding of issues of concern to consumers. She brings to the Directorate a consumer perspective that reflects her enthusiasm and optimism for improving and developing health care services. She is strongly committed to the ideology of a health care system that is accessible and equitable to all sectors of the community. To date she has attended regular Directorate meetings and bi-monthly Consumer Forums at the GMCT.

Her personal experience in the extensive rehabilitation of her own son, along with gaining a wealth of insight through meeting and interviewing many other consumers, she feels she can contribute a wide reflection of consumer perspectives that would be beneficial and constructive in any discussion relevant to improving the policies, plans and initiatives in most areas of health care services.

She is a member of the NSW Brain Injury Association’s Mentor Advisory Panel - which has been set up to design and implement a mentoring program to assist people affected by brain injury. She was recently appointed as a Consumer Representative on an Advisory Panel for MSAC (Medical Services Advisory Committee) which reports directly to the Federal Minister for Health & Ageing in regard to the approval of a new surgical procedure. This appointment is short-term and should conclude in February 2008.

She is a member of an Advisory Panel for the NSW Brain Injury Association.

Cheryl has been a guest speaker at several Carer Support Groups. There is no doubt she will make a major contribution to the projects undertaken by the organisation.

Cheryl has a wonderful husband, Robert, and a remarkable son, Chris. Both men have taken on many tasks to release Cheryl to make a change in the lives of others.