Synopsis
SYD
Placed in foster care at age 6, Syd felt abandoned by his family as a child. Then he was abused by several of those charged with his care. For years he smoked pot and cigarettes and hung out with the wrong crowd.
His life changed when he met his wife.
He now has a loving, stable family of his own.
KEITH
Unable to even pronounce his own name and suffering severe epileptic seizures, Keith was bullied and teased as a child. He was told he would never succeed at anything.
Even as an adult his work colleagues sniggered at his slow drawl and refusal to work on Saturdays for religious reasons.
The torments became jealous whispers when Keith became a top selling real estate agent.
He is now one of the largest private property developers in Australia.
RICHARD
Illiterate until he was age 62, Richard suffered an unhappy childhood and traumatic working life. He kept his disability secret from all but his wife despite not being able to read and write. Although capable of holding down better paying more skilled positions, he stuck to menial jobs which did not involve paperwork.
Then Richard enrolled in a TAFE adult literacy course when he was made redundant from work.
He is now a successful children’s book author.
PAM
Relied upon to always be happy and stable, Pam suffered a breakdown after the death of her father and younger brother. Well meaning friends took her to hospital, where she was admitted to a psychiatric institution.
After years of trauma in the mental health system, she was finally diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and learned to manage her condition and re-enter the workforce.
Pam now helps others with mental illness.
VAN
One of the thousands to join the biggest refugee exodus in modern history, Van survived an horrendous journey from Vietnam to the Philippines with his mother and baby sister when he was a sickly four-year-old. However, settling in Australia was not easy.
Van spent much of his youth in refuges, battled to assimilate into his new culture and he and his family have battled poverty since arriving in Australia nearly 30 years ago.
Through hard work and taking advantages of opportunities offered to him, Van now feels comfortable in Australia and has a university degree and a well paid job.
JIM
Born into an originally loving family, Jim’s home became abusive and poverty stricken when his father became an alcoholic. He and his mother and sisters were eventually forced off their farm after his father left and were forced to rely on the goodwill of others to survive.
Jim worked his way through financial and social insecurity, starting with a paper round at age 11.
He is now a successful businessman, long-term city councillor and former mayor, and enjoys sharing his wealth and helping others achieve their potential.
ROBYN A
A healthy working mother-of-two, Robyn planned to end her abusive marriage after the birth of her third child. However, her plans went awry when she suffered a stroke which left her left side paralysed when her daughter was a few days old.
She spent years re-learning how to do everything from walking, tying shoe laces, cooking, writing and even speaking as a single mother - all with just her left hand.
Robyn now lives independently and is Stroke Association of NSW president.
LOUISIANA
Louisiana’s time living on the streets for several months as a child was all the more harrowing because she was born almost blind. She was saved from the uncertainty of street life by prostitutes who offered her a home and security but also new uncertainty as a sex worker.
She was eventually sent to a youth refuge, where she returned to school at age 19.
Louisiana is now happily married, well travelled and fiercely independent. She also works to ease the plight of homeless youths.
ROBYN M
Blissfully married to her business partner for 33 years, Robyn’s life collapsed around her when her husband died. She spent the next two years numb and unaware.
However, Robyn eventually came to realise her own business skills and now runs a successful business of her own and helps others in similar circumstances.
ROSSCO
Born with chronic asthma, Rossco was a sickly child and not expected to enjoy a long life.
However, his parents enrolled him in gymnastics and tap dancing lessons and he went on to become a world-renowned dancer and choreographer, mixing with the international glitterati.
Rossco now teaches and is a well known entertainer, fundraiser, healer and non-denominational pastor.
JODI
Crippled with irrational fear and anxiety for decades, Jodi became almost housebound. The condition affected every aspect of her life.
Determined to regain her freedom, she joined Toastmasters speaking group and travelled overseas on a working holiday, gradually overcoming her fears.
Jodi now seeks to help others overcome similar circumstances.
| Ellen Hill Journalist/writer 0422 140 528 |
David Hill Photojournalist 0401 460 948 |
Email:
Mail: PO Box 426 Springwood NSW 2777 |
ABN: 43 099 206 151 |
