Aromatherapist finds therapy in learndirect
Constance Yabantu dedicated her adult life to practising and teaching nurses - then studied alternative therapies herself. At the age of 70 her interest in healing and her thirst for knowledge are stronger than ever:
'I've worked as a teacher, a state registered nurse, a midwife, an intensive care nurse, a ward sister, a tutor and an examiner. I've studied a lot - in education and counselling as well as nursing - but when I became paralysed in a car accident I found conventional medicine couldn't help me.'
Her disabilities forced Constance to retire. But not one to sit on her laurels, she wrote two plays, both of which ran at the Northern Stage Theatre in Newcastle and were very well received. It was during this time that Constance became interested in natural healing. Using a combination of complementary therapies, including crystal healing, massage and aromatherapy, Constance gradually improved until she fully regained the use of her muscles. With first hand experience of how powerful these therapies can be, Constance went on to qualify as an aromatherapist herself:
'Then last year I started a course in crystal healing and decided I wanted to learn more about the science behind it, so I got in touch with the learndirect advice line. The adviser was great! She was so helpful and thorough. She referred me to the Lifelong Learning Centre, which was a real breakthrough for me. Through them I went on to do a course in hot stone massage and I'm also studying petrology now, learning more about rocks and precious stones.
'Calling the learndirect advice line made a big difference to my life. They took away the cobwebs from my eyes, made me realise how much you can do if you are just pointed in the right direction. They have helped me realise my potential and go so much further with my interests than I knew was possible. They are very open-minded people and looked at all the possibilities for me.
'I think I tell at least one person every day about learndirect and that if there is something they really want to do, the learndirect advice line will be able to get them started.
'learndirect got me thinking - and working harder than ever before! I wouldn't be where I am today without their help.'