BRIGHTENING THE AIRWAVES
Jenny uses words to bring light to people’s lives
Jenny Wright, 74, Forde, ACT
My son Chris was just four years old when, in March 1987, his dad Mike, 40, died tragically in a hang-gliding accident.
Suddenly a young widow, with all my family in the
UK, I gained a profound understanding of what it feels like to be lonely.
Wanting to ease loneliness for others, I became a chaplain in an aged-care facility, caring for people from low-care through to palliative care. Many had no-one to visit them.
It’s my honour to bring them comfort, I thought.
Suffering osteoarthritis and various other health issues, I moved from Perth to Canberra in late 2018 to be closer to Chris, 40, who lives here. I wanted to keep helping people, but how?
Then, Pat, a new friend
I’d met at the Country Women’s Association, mentioned she volunteered at radio station 1RPH Canberra.
‘We have a team of volunteers that turn print into sound for anyone who has dif culty reading,’ Pat explained.
Pat invited me to watch the station’s ‘Christian Perspectives’ segment at the studio that Sunday.
When we arrived, I found out I was going live on air!
With no time to be nervous, I put on a headset and, with Pat by my side, spent the next two-and-a-half hours reading news and other articles from Christian publications around the world.
Enjoying it so much, I volunteered once a month.
In 2019, I attended a programming meeting.
‘Perhaps we could do a program speci cally on people with disabilities?’ I suggested.
They loved the idea so, in partnership with Dr Monica Short from the School of Social Work and Arts at Charles Sturt University, we put together a pilot episode.
Now, Monica and I also produce and present a program with stories, poems, quotes and articles to inspire and give hope to people who, for whatever reason, are unable to read for themselves.
I often read uplifting that’s life! stories, and share my own stories, too. Like how my dad, John, cared for my mum,
Ruth Mary, for 10 years after she suffered a brain aneurysm. Despite Mum being paralysed down her right side, Dad’s love and support saw her re-learning to read, write and even take a few steps again.
Each episode takes days to research and write, and two hours to record, but it’s worth the effort.
And the program can be heard on 1125AM in Canberra, 89.5FM in Wagga Wagga, or 99.5FM in Junee. Or anyone can listen online!
I know what it’s like to be lonely, dealing with physical limitations and depression.
I want to give others hope when they’re struggling.
Even just hearing someone’s voice on the radio can help you feel less alone.
Visit radio1rph.org.au to listen
I aim to inspire and give hope