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A Journey to Healing: Support Rich & Family

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Hi everyone,

I want to begin by saying thank you. We’ve already made it halfway to the goal and that means more than I can ever put into words. Your kindness and support have carried me through some of the hardest days of my life.

I was violently attacked and stabbed multiple times over Easter weekend. I survived a seven-and-a-half-hour surgery but I continue to suffer from life altering injuries, physically, emotionally and psychologically. I now live with chronic pain, PTSD, anxiety and depression. These are not temporary struggles. They affect every part of my life every day.

Since the attack, I’ve experienced flashbacks, fear, emotional numbness and a deep loss of enjoyment in life. The trauma has left a permanent psychological wound.

I’ve also lost fifteen kilograms of muscle I spent three years building through regular training. I used to go to the gym five days a week. Now I can barely move without pain. I’ve had to reduce my work hours to just fifteen per week from home. I may never return to my previous income level and the financial impact reaches into my future, from lost wages to superannuation and career progression.

My parents dropped everything to care for me. Neither of them is working right now. They have been by my side through every medical appointment, every rough night, every small win. Their support has been critical to my recovery. This campaign is just as much about helping them as it is about me.

The attack forced me to relocate and stripped me of my independence, confidence and quality of life. I’ve been working hard with trauma psychologists and medical specialists to rebuild my health, piece by piece. I’ve taken steps to feel safe again in my home by installing proper security systems. It is not just about peace of mind. It is about regaining control after something horrific.

We are now halfway to being able to purchase an electric bed. This is not a luxury. It is essential for pain management, mobility and dignity. One small but meaningful update is that we’ve found a temporary solution, a single mechanical bed that offers some relief. Most importantly, my dad is back in his own bed. That matters more to me than I can explain.

I want to acknowledge how proud I am of myself. I am showing up every day, facing fear and trauma with strength. Healing is not linear. It takes daily effort and relentless courage. I am doing this not only for myself, but for my family, my mob and my community.

I am a proud Quandamooka man from the Ngugi Nunukul mob. The carpet snake is our totem, our creator. We call him Kabul. When it first sheds its skin, the new skin glows with a rainbow tint. This speaks to renewal, to transformation, a story I hold onto every day. I am also a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This part of who I am has given me strength and perspective during this time.

As an Indigenous gay man, the trauma of this attack has impacted me on many levels. My identity, my connection to community, my sense of safety and belonging, all of it has been shaken. And yet, I continue to stand. I continue to share, to heal and to hope.

I have also been advocating for support through Victim Assist but navigating their processes and policies has been incredibly difficult. I will keep fighting not only for myself but for others who are walking similar paths.

This campaign is more than a request for donations. It is a call for support, dignity and healing. If you’ve already donated or shared, thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you are just reading my story now, please know that any amount helps. Every share creates more momentum.

Thank you for walking this path with me.

With appreciation
Rich

Organizer

Richard Gilbert
Organizer
Lytton, QLD

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