At just 13 years’ old Betty Lane was already taking risks and shunning convention, a trend that followed her throughout the rest of her life. It was 1942 and air raid sirens blared across the school at Bulimba and she knew she was meant to go into one of the air raid shelters. Curiosity got the better of her and she ran outside to catch a glimpse of the Japanese planes flying over Brisbane a sight she remembers to this day at 95 years of age.

It was just a few years later that Betty started working, at just 16 she continued to work until her late 20s’ when she contracted tuberculosis of the lungs and was told she wouldn’t be able to work again. Of course that didn’t stop Betty and she was back at work after spending 9 months in isolation at Chermside Chest Hospital.

Betty chose not to marry or have children and she spent her working life at Customs House in Brisbane after becoming one of the first women to get the “Third Division” while studying at college at night. Throughout her extensive career she spent her time off traveling through Asia, the Pacific Islands New Zealand and America.

Despite some health concerns over recent years that left Betty’s memory and eyesight affected, Betty has continued to defy odds with an impressive recovery due to her perseverance and determination. Both her eyesight and memory are improving, and she has just started going to the gym and physio thanks to her HCA Home Care Support Workers. Betty lives at home in her family home where she has lived since 1938 thanks to the support she receives from her Support Workers. Betty has been a HCA Home Care customer for over 18 months now and says she couldn’t continue to live her independent life without the care and support she receives from HCA Home Care.

If you or someone you know would like to receive support at home with HCA Home Care visit healthcareaustralia.com.au/services/home-care-services or call 1300 422 111.