Kim

I was told to leave home by my mother when I was twelve. I lived on the streets and moved from place to place in Brisbane. When I was fifteen I moved to Sydney and lived with family and friends until I was seventeen. I lived a rough life mostly off the proceeds of crime and I did substance abuse and drank alcohol to excess. I began a series of abusive relationships and was dealing drugs as well. I have had five children one is deceased.

Over the last 8 years I have had several jobs the latest job of which I am most passionate about. This is because I am able to help people who experience mental health challenges and as a result have suffered disadvantage and in many cases been denied basic human rights.

I am currently studying to gain a Diploma in Business Management and Community Service as well as completing my traineeship in Disability and Mental Health.

I currently have my two beautiful daughters with me and I work to give them the up bringing and future that I didn’t have. This includes setting an example for them to follow to achieve goals they set for themselves which never was a possibility for me.

My advice to people is:

“respect yourself, plan the future you want, accept your past lovingly because it has set a bench mark that will guide you towards being the person you want to be”