Gaylene Crabtree of Bethungra shares health journey amid pandemic

Particularly so for Bethungra business owner Gaylene Crabtree who this year entered her fourth year of a trial medical procedure to address her deteriorating lung health.

More than two decades ago, Ms Crabtree was diagnosed with Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disease. The disease, which is similar to emphysema, was once thought to be rare but is often misdiagnosed acute asthma.

Prior to her diagnosis at the birth of her son, Jess, Ms Crabtree believed her poor breathing was a result of asthma.

The global pandemic has thrown some unforeseen spanners into her plans to set up the Gaylene Crabtree Foundation in partnership with Amaranth.

It has also meant that she has had to reduce her previously regular travel to Sydney and Port Macquarie for treatment.

"I'm just trying to say positive, you've got to be. You've got to keep smiling," Ms Crabtree said.

"With everything that's happened, it's been very emotional but you can't afford to stay there. It only gives you a headache."

As the owner of the Olde School T-House in Bethungra, Ms Crabtree and her family have also been hit by the severity of the lockdown and the economic downturn.

But now that the restrictions have allowed the return to business, Ms Crabtree has been delighted to see her community rallying around her.

"It's a joy to have people to help you," she said.

"With COVID-19 we have had to cut back our days at the tea house. But they're still coming in and it's an absolute pleasure to have people around you who will support you.

"God gives me strength through people with loving hearts who surround me in my walk."

In recent weeks, hope has emerged with Ms Crabtree and husband Gary signing onto the waiting list for a lifesaving double lung transplant.

Each fortnight, three women - Susan Maloney, Glenn Robertson and Sharon Ormond - organise events and fundraisers to keep the community's spirits high and Ms Crabtree's foundation hopes alive.

Ms Maloney and Ms Robertson together host the fortnightly fundraiser. Having hosted three so far, the next will be held at the teahouse this Friday.

"During the first fundraiser we raised about $500, and the second we raised nearly $1000," Ms Robertson said.

"Gaylene has a lot of expenses and she's going to have a lot of costs by the end of it all, so it all helps."

For each fundraiser, people from all over the country have donated gifts to be raffled. Everything from tea sets to handmade decorative hessian bags, gardening tools and vouchers.

"I have a friend in Brisbane who makes glass beads and has donated about 30 Merano beads, all individually made, people really love them," Ms Robertson said.

Ms Ormond organises a sewing group who meet at the teahouse each fortnight on a Thursday.

"We have 12 or 13 members who used to meet at InterReach but when COVID-19 closed that, we were looking for somewhere else," she said.

"When cafes re-opened, another group went by for morning tea and Gaylene said it would be nice if this could happen once a fortnight. The lightbulb went on."

The group has been on hiatus but is planning a return on September 10.

"We try to put as much money as we can in to help Gaylene. Whenever we're there, we add to her fundraising total but try to do it without her knowing because she never asks for help," Ms Ormond said.

The anonymous help is something Ms Robertson tries to advocate for too, constantly telling Ms Crabtree that they are "honoured" to be walking her health journey alongside her.

"She and Gary don't like taking charity, but I tell them they're just health workers because when you help someone you feel good and when you feel good your health improves. So they're just helping people to stay healthy," Ms Robertson said.