I’ve been on very strong medication for years due to the high level of pain I’m constantly in for a debilitating genetic deformity. I didn’t feel safe in the accommodation where I was staying because there were rough people there and my medication was stolen by drug addicts, so I left and slept in parks.
Because of severe pain I can’t raise my hands or arms above my head. I can only carry a maximum of two kilos in weight which makes it difficult for me to bring food home from the Supermarket. I suffer from chronic anxiety, anaesthesia amnesia’, pulmonary disease and get a maximum of two to three hours sleep at night due to the severe pain. These are only a few of the challenges I face every day.The ladies from Homestead of Hope found me when I was sleeping rough in the park. Straight away they provided me with emergency, short term accommodation in the local Motel while they looked for a place for me to stay.
During the eighteen months Homestead of Hope supported me with rented accommodation, they also provided me with friendship, some meals, changing and washing my sheets regularly along with many other supports. They also helped me to apply for Government Housing with the help of the local Member Gareth Ward.
I am now in my ‘forever home’ and Homestead of Hope are still there for me. They still come and change my sheets and bed linen, take them home to wash them and clean the whole unit for me on a fortnightly basis. They support me with regular meals, friendship and emotional support. They were there for me when I was admitted to the Emergency Ward at hospital and visited me for the three weeks I was there. They are now in the process of assisting me to apply for the NDIS which I so desperately need.
I don’t know where I would be today without the amazing assistance of the lovely ladies at Homestead of Hope.
