It is now 2am on Boxing Day (26th December) in Australia and I am awake, not by choice. But, because I can’t sleep and my leg is giving me so much pain and I have already a dose of pain medication and can not have more for several more hours. I am tired as all hell. But as always I will get through this, I have been doing the same thing since the 9th May 2018 (which happens to also be the day my Aunt was born many years ago) when I entered into Coimba.
We have a nice Christmas Lunch up at the Coimba house on Christmas Eve. And I spent Christmas Day alone at home, just doing things online as I would do any other normal day of the week. But starting in 2020 everything changes for me as to this. Since my NDIS package and plan have all been approved and the funds are now available I will be looking at getting out a couple of times a week, just for an hour or two to start with.
My first NDIS planned outing is on the 30th of December. We are going to get a Slurpee from 7 Eleven and then going down to the Waterfront to either just sit, talk and chill and hopefully go for a slow stroll along the waterfront (if my leg isn’t having a bad day and I can handle it). The next is scheduled for the 3rd January, we are going to the Pool. Something I have not been able to do for a very long time. This has been because I have not been able to talk my shirt off and not been able to wear shorts because of how bad my psoriasis is. But now that it is nearly non-existent, apart from a few little patches here and there, due to the 8 weekly liquid gold injections I am able to start swimming again. Which is something I used to enjoy doing and now something I can do again without any shame and hiding away from other people.
Being on this NDIS funding package is going to be a major life-changer for me. More of a changer than what has already changed over the last 19 months. It also means I am not going to be stuck at home 24/7/365 apart from when I went out to see the Doctors, have my scans and tests and all my other appt.’s. This now changes all of that for the better. But it will take time to get into a routine with this as it is not something I am used too and also it is something I want to do, but I know for myself I need to take it slowly.
I also need to get this place into ship-shape so I can also then start on some other services and support I need at home. Right now I am not comfortable in letting anyone apart from my main caseworker into my unit. He is aware of the situation and going to help very soon. We just need to plan a date to get this done. Which will probably happen early in the new year but before my birthday BBQ down at the waterfront with a few people I know and trust.
I just can not believe how far I have come in the last 19 months since being released from the hospital. Everything in my life has changed. There are still challenges and struggles, but considering over 20 years on the streets that is to be expected. Some people think you can just change overnight, that is a load of hogwash. It takes time. It takes support from trusted people to get through. There have been many times I have just wanted to pick up my backpack and leave. But I have hung in there and am still going strong. I have also done things I never thought I would ever do.
I have even shared my inter-story on video, which took nearly 4 hours of filming. This is currently in the editing stage. There are going to be some mini clips and also the full video, which is expected to be about 45 to 60 minutes long. When the mini clips and the full video is released I will drop you all the link to it. I might even be able to embed it into a blog post, depending on what platform it is posted too. There were a couple of really raw moments for me where I needed to take a short break, calm myself down and have a smoke. And then we were straight back into it. But it is something that I proud of myself for doing and if my story can help to reach just one person, then it was well worth it. In the video, I am not even hiding my face or name. The only part that is redacted is my surname. I don’t want Social Media stalkers so to speak as a result … Anyway, that is all for now and I will write again soon.
Everyone have a safe and happy holiday period. And enjoy the time with your family and or friends. It is the time for love and caring for one another.
