My experience.

[Avacado]

Good afternoon to all, another newbie making a another post. First of all hats off to regular contributors, posters and the people who reply. I'm the person that comes front on with the lights on so I'll just jump straight into it, I am a survivor of sexual abuse from my teenage years, over the 20 years I've tried to resolve my issues with this, no luck yet. Each time I approached the "professionals" it's the same routine, we care, we are here to help, here swallow these pills, I've tried so many pills, my stomach can't take them anymore. Not one doctor has offered more than a band aid solution, the two mental health services refuse to even offer counselling, even after referrals from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, I am further denied physical health care, I am unlicensed and the closest bus service is 170 km away, I sit here with mental and physical issues while others in the community are treated to countless "angel flights" after they spend 7 months of the year driving a 4x4 and caravan around Australia, centrelink has been just a nightmare about things, even to the stage where their "social worker" can freely call me a lair, I'm stuck in the queensland outback, no work due to ill health, no treatment option because of financial and transport issues, no mates that can help, I've gone broke trying to get my health sorted, this year on average I've had to restrict my food to only two maybe three meals per week, repaying cash loans for trips to the hospital, I am participating in the national redress scheme, which has further raised more issues, I've been promised counselling from different organisations, but that was all it was, just a promise. After waiting for now 27 months I might give up waiting for anyone to call me back. Yet I have to watch the local mental heath care workers take on new client after new client. I don't if anyone else experiencing this at all, or maybe its just. 20 years I've tried to resolve my issues "the right way" but all I get is pushed under the rug. "get over it" is another good one. I'm crucified for saying harsh words to someone, but the same people can Rob the community organisations and steal from the people here. Maybe just me being over sensitive, not sure.

[Avacado]

Dear Croix,

Thanks for the reassurance, I've had a chat with the RFDS about the lack of services aswell as the local member, that's how how we got funding for the doctors to do mental health care plans. I'm normally pretty good with the letter writing and will continue to do so for the people out here. With so many organisations it's been a bit difficult to find the right ones. The only time we get anyone political out this way is when election time is about and they kinda seem full of hot wind most of the time. But never the less. Opal mining is an ok life if you can handle the heat and isolation which I love the isolation. When the physical health let's me I swing the crowbar all day, no machines yet. 6 years and I'm still chasing enough for a jack hammer set up. But life can change in a foot. The only hobbie I really do is walking the dogs, I've got a raptor quad that's busted at the moment, maybe I can that going by the end of the year. Its a basic life out here. But very rewarding. You do it all yourself for yourself. You supply your own power, water and food. I know when I'm through this little down spot, the National redress will get back to me, then I'll be back firing on all cylinders. It's just a pain in rear end to stop dead in your tracks when the demons come calling. That's another reason I'm out in the middle of nowhere. When the darkness creeps in I can isolate myself out in the hills.

[Croix]

Dear Avacado~

I guess we have a different line of retreat, when your demons come you isolate yourself with your dogs, and I guess if it works than that's pretty good. I find that although the urge for isolation is great I end up better off with my family - but that's just me. One similarity is we both like a walk with a dog or dogs. I use a riverbank path, just about the exact opposite of your country, very green and lush.

Letter writing is good, and again I'd suggest using organizations if possible. I don't know the Qld setup and as you say finding out which ones are going to be helpful can be difficult, however you get the right one and their expertise, both in wording and who in the administration is worth approaching, can be invaluable. If they know an issue is coming into focus already, it lends extra weight to your actions.

I don't suppose there are many broken Raptors in your area to salvage parts from

Croix