A TRIBUTE TO BRIAN
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the sad passing of Brian Kibblewhite.
Brian was a highly valued member of the A1 Wheelchair Services (2007) team from Nov 2007 til his retirement in Oct 2018. Brian worked in the disability industry with many suppliers, therapists, and clients throughout NZ for over 34 years.
BRIAN AT WORK
Before he retired Brian was the Senior Technician / Foreman at A1 Wheelchair Services (2007) Ltd. Brian had over ‘34 years’ of extremely valuable experience in the disability industry. He initially worked as a wheelchair technician for Mid Central Health for 13 years from 1984 before taking on a position with A1 Wheelchairs in 1997. The business changed hands in 2007 where Brian continued to work conscientiously for his clients and the current owner until he retired in October 2018 after 22 years in total with A1 Wheelchairs.
Brian was very much missed by his work family/friends who were very fond of him. He was a wealth of knowledge and had a wealth of experience. He had gained a very wide range of skills over those 34 years and was very talented. He worked closely with many suppliers and occupational therapists and assessors throughout the industry and was highly regarded, appreciated and respected by them, his work family and his clients.
Brian specialised in modification, custom manufacturing, specialist seating, upholstery manufacture, repair and set up of disability and rehabilitation equipment. He was sought after by therapists all over NZ for his problem solving and custom manufacturing.
BRIAN’s CLIENTS
Brian had a client in a wheelchair, many years ago now, whose wife was having a baby. The client wanted to be able to independently look after his baby.
Brian brainstormed and modified a piece of equipment that enabled the client to be able to get down on the floor to play with the baby, another piece of equipment to enable him to change and bath the baby and then he manufactured a tow bar that pivoted beautifully to connect the baby buggy to the back of the wheelchair.
His client was wrapt and could be seen all over town safely taking his baby out with pride. Brian often knew what the therapist or client wanted before they even did. He took great pride in his work and got a lot of pleasure in solving problems and making life easier and less painful for his clients and in seeing their happiness. He was very talented and dedicated. He saw many clients grow from children through to adults.
Brian always turned up for work early right through the years, was an inspiration to us all and very appreciated. He would often find a bottle or two of red wine in his car to show our appreciation. In fact we knighted him ‘Sir Brian’ at one of our Xmas functions and Brian graciously got down on his knees and accepted his knighthood!
We shared a lot of laughter and many many good times with Brian and could tell you a few stories.
Brian always went the extra mile for his clients.
I got a call from a client one day who said “I love Brian – he does extras”
Well! - I had to call him into my office to find out exactly what those extras were! Brian hated the phone and would walk backwards swearing and cussing if you were holding one out for him.
If we didn’t know how to mute it we would have to shove it behind our backs or down our tops in horror, freaking out that the person on the other end might hear his cussing, but when you persuaded him to take it he would ‘snap turn’ from jeckle and hyde to an angel and answer it with the most beautiful phone manner 😊
Brian sneezed so hard at work one morning his top teeth shot out hitting the concrete floor and smashing in two. He quickly shut his mouth tight but laughed so hard he nearly broke in two. He used to poke his teeth out at us at times just to be funny.
Brian cut his lower arm at work one day ‘doing something silly’ he said. It needed stitches so I drove him to the hospital. He reported at the window at A & E, held up his arm and said I’ve cut my wrist.
The receptionists face fell off as she backed away in horror. We got the giggles and had a hard time persuading her it was an accident. We were ushered to a cubicle with just a curtain between us and the next patient who had a doctor with her.
Brian began mimicking the doctor and coming up with the funniest stuff, we laughed so hard I was terrified that we were going to be thrown out before he was stitched up
We had to explain to every nurse and doctor that came in several times over ‘it was an accident’ while trying not to giggle.
Brent our Company Director is quite upset that he can’t be at Brians service on Tuesday, he will be in Auckland for an appointment that can’t be cancelled. Brian would have understood and respected him for it. However Brent is supporting the rest of our entire team including ex-employees to all be there.
Brian and Brent shared the same passion and joy from their work, they also shared a few beers together on many occasions. Brian was always keen and the first to offer to pick Brent up for a ‘work do’ knowing that the two of them would get a head start on the others of a beer or two. When Brian got sick he worried that the clients and Brent needed him, Brent worried that Brian needed to work to keep busy and supported him well. They appreciated and had great deal of respect for each other.
At a work do one night Brian was challenged by a young fella from work with shots.
Well! - Brian wasn’t going to let this young fella beat him.
He won and was really ‘happy’ However while the young man was ‘talking’ to a ‘toilet bowl’ a taxi was called to take Brian home.
As he got in the taxi van he tripped and fell headlong into it hitting his head on the other side but came up laughing - not feeling a thing. He came to work the next morning with a sheepish grin sporting a bruise and a bump on his head with a pocket full of money wondering where it came from and how he got home.
To Margy and Brians family and friends we extend our heartfelt sympathy. We miss Brian terribly and will treasure our memories with him always.
Cheers Brian! - on behalf of your ‘work family’ and all the clients, therapists and suppliers you helped for so many years
Thank you!
