Help Steph & Ben get through this rough patch!
Donation protected
We had a very difficult 2018 - our former housemate stole over $1000 from us, Steph's been working very hard on developing her business despite mental health difficulties, and Ben has been spending all year seeing doctors, neurologists and nurses. Due to Ben's 'unstabilised' condition he cannot get DSP yet, and is on Newstart. Steph's NEIS payments went down in October & since then we have been struggling to survive on just over $500 a week between us, before even paying our rent.
2019 should be looking up - Ben has been readmitted to uni to finish his masters, and Steph's getting a better handle on her mental health. But we are starting the year literally not knowing how we can feed ourselves for the next two weeks, let alone preparing for returning to studies. Steph is desperately looking for work at the moment (although it isn't good for her health) to plug the gaps, but it's a hard time of the year to be looking for employment. We really desperately need some help right now, so we can plough ahead with our plans to turn our lives around and give back to the world! Neither of us likes asking for charity AT ALL. We are sick of needing help. But the system is truly unsupportive - taxpayer funds are wasted on vanity projects and porkbarrelling by a desperate and dying government, whilst those of us with legitimate needs are ignored. Ben has a referral for specialised trauma therapy, which he has had to delay and delay (despite badly needing the help!) as we cannot even afford the gap.
Once Ben's finished his degree, he plans to work in mental health advocacy, campaigning for a better deal for others. Steph is a talented artist and Ben plans to support her in establishing her business as a jeweller once he's earning a real income. We will give back. So please, lend us a hand up! We humbly appreciate any contribution of any size to help us reach our goal, so we can kick more in the year ahead.
2019 should be looking up - Ben has been readmitted to uni to finish his masters, and Steph's getting a better handle on her mental health. But we are starting the year literally not knowing how we can feed ourselves for the next two weeks, let alone preparing for returning to studies. Steph is desperately looking for work at the moment (although it isn't good for her health) to plug the gaps, but it's a hard time of the year to be looking for employment. We really desperately need some help right now, so we can plough ahead with our plans to turn our lives around and give back to the world! Neither of us likes asking for charity AT ALL. We are sick of needing help. But the system is truly unsupportive - taxpayer funds are wasted on vanity projects and porkbarrelling by a desperate and dying government, whilst those of us with legitimate needs are ignored. Ben has a referral for specialised trauma therapy, which he has had to delay and delay (despite badly needing the help!) as we cannot even afford the gap.
Once Ben's finished his degree, he plans to work in mental health advocacy, campaigning for a better deal for others. Steph is a talented artist and Ben plans to support her in establishing her business as a jeweller once he's earning a real income. We will give back. So please, lend us a hand up! We humbly appreciate any contribution of any size to help us reach our goal, so we can kick more in the year ahead.
Organizer and beneficiary
Ben Cook
Organizer
Maidstone VIC
Steph Corthorne
Beneficiary
Raised $190 from 4 donations
