The First Step
I guess that unless you have lived under a rock or on the moon you will know that the past two months have not been the most enjoyable. If, by some chance you have no idea what I’m talking about, please read Cates blog at www.catherinebolt.com
I have so much to say that it might be best if I break it down into sizeable chunks and post individually. I will however point out that I am not Cate, I have different views, ideas and outlook then Cate. I can not write as well and I can not clearly articulate my thoughts like Cate. I do not speak like Cate and I do not form friendships like Cate and no doubt you will see over the coming posts that what I have learnt and what I am still struggling with is different to Cate. BUT that’s what helped get us through so far the issues we faced to this point, we are different, we look from different angles and we can work together…. To survive.
Strangely enough just like Cate the past couple of months have taught me many things, Things that I thought I already knew about! Homelessness, friendship, crisis management even just trying to keep a family together, So if nothing else good comes of the issues and experiances we have faced, I have gained some very valuable experience in a side of life I actually knew nothing about. All sounds confusing?
Prior to Cates very public description of our families’ homelessness, how many of you had even given a second thought about the homeless situation in Australia? How many of you had/have the same pathetic ideas as I did that only drunks, druggies and those with mental issues were homeless? Well I learnt first hand that is not the case. AND it hurt, it still hurts now. The reasons I’m still hurting I will save for other posts. I never knew how big an issue homelessness is in Australia. I never knew just how little federal and state governments know or care about homelessness. I never knew just how kind some people can be and how destabilising and down right hurtful others including Government departments can be… Again more detail to follow in further posts.
To finish this post may I please request something of you? To help me help a couple of charities? During the period of our homelessness there were two charities that stood tall and forced me to swallow my pride and accept help. No matter how humiliated and humbled I felt, these charities stood by us and helped us survive.
The first is St Vincent De Paul (most importantly the Coolum branch), without the help of a very special group of people we would have faced some even bigger issues. And even as late as today SVDP and there helping me deal with the issues that still affect my family and I. Therefore if it is possible in any way, can you please spare a few dollars and donate it to St Vincent De Paul’s? If you get the chance, say thank you for me.
Second and by no means last is 4Walls. Without the intervention of this unbelievably wonderful group of people I’m not sure we would have survived as a family group. From nowhere they were able to place us in temporary accommodation, furnish the house and make us feel wanted and Human. And through their actions (and a couple of other special people) the Bendigo Bank has opened an appeal to raise funds to help 4Walls with their work with the homeless. The appeal is called “Cates Cause”. Please if you could spare any money at all for this appeal it will go towards helping those who really do need help.
Please support “Cates Cause” a national appeal against homelessness. You can donate online or any Bendigo Bank http://tinyurl.com/catescause
This has gone a bit longer then I planned and I have so much more to say. Please continue to follow my blog and invite others to share my experiences?
Rick
