Laura: *cuddles you tightly* Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Hun, I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know that you have read. It means a lot to me. I'm trying to hang on. *big hugs* once again.
Hayley: Thanks so much for responding. There has been such a lot going on. I'm also hopeful that the changes to the medication help, in a good way. At least it cuts down what I take at night, right? Anyway, thanks so much for your warm wishes. *cuddles you*
Kat: Thank you so much for your kind words. I really appreciate it. *big hugs*
My friend - the one whose daughter destroyed my monitor - has been pretty much rendered homeless. She left her husband some time ago and moved back into her mother's house. Unfortunately her mother drinks and becomes abusive, and that abuse includes the kids.
The abuse has been getting stronger and stronger as you might have guess from what I wrote the other day. Anyway she came around last night in tears and with the kids. We offered for her to stay here last night, but she made an arrangement with her estranged (or ex) husband, which she thought would be better as that way at least the kids would be sleeping in their own beds.
She came around this morning after dropping the kids off at school and kindergarten respectively and we had a chat about the plan for the day. She has arranged a Mail Redirection so that all her mail (except parcels) comes to our house for 3 months, so that once she has removed all her stuff from her mother's place she will no longer have to go back there. Right now she and my housemate are organising a budget plan for her so she can work out what she can afford.
Anyway, this morning I had the appointment with the Advocate. I only got home a little while ago. Unfortunately she was NOT able to help us, BUT ... she has referred us to a program that can help step in and provide support with our mental illnesses, and also help out in other ways if required. She has also given us information and supplied a "referral" for systemic advocacy to the highest advocacy person/group in the State, AND she's looking up how we can put in a Ministerial complaint and advised us both to do so. She is going to get in touch to pass on that information, as well as keeping in touch in case the situation does turn into something that she/their agency can help with. So, I guess it's a good thing, right? I mean, she took the time to listen, then she realised that at present she couldn't help us, BUT she tried to refer us to what could help us - and when I say us, I really do mean us, not just me but my housemate too - and promised to keep in touch for if the situation does arrive where they can help. What more can you ask for?
Feeling like I could collapse right now. But I did really well. Gave the Advocate heaps of information that was probably more than she needed. She was really surprised (in a good way) of how organised we were. AND I didn't freeze up, so yay me.
Now I'm counting down the hours until 9am tomorrow when I hit my next milestone on my SI free journey - not a big one, but still an achievement, 21 months. But right now I'm just oh, so, very tired. *sigh*
Is it sleepy time yet???
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