Why Stereotypes are just that: Stereotypes

 

I graduated with an Honours degree in Law in 2001.  I commenced my career in commercial litigation in 2002.  The following 15 years were a, usually wonderful, blur of professional and personal success.

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In late 2014, I returned to work after the birth of my third child.  I had always managed to be the ‘high flying lawyer, board and foundation member, volunteer, and devoted mother’; albeit with a lot of paid help.

However, by the end of 2015, I was struggling and didn’t feel as though I could keep it all afloat.  My marriage was under strain and then one of my parents became seriously ill and I took that on too.

It was then that emotional and financial cracks started to get deeper, but I tried to ‘soldier on’

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However, in July 2016, I had ‘a breakdown’.  I was suicidal and completely exhausted. I was admitted to hospital suffering major depression and exhaustion.  I stayed there for 3 weeks and never went back to our family home.

My kids went to stay with my mother and when I was discharged from hospital, I stayed there too for a couple of weeks before I found us a small, but clean rental in the local area so I could keep my kids at the same school.

My income protection policy didn’t pay out due to an exclusion on ‘mental health conditions’, including ‘stress’.  So, I found myself away from the court bench and into the queue at Innaloo Centrelink.

I also had to sell my house, and quickly, because I couldn’t meet the mortgage payments without my previous income.

The wonderful agency I listed the house with went above and beyond to support me and get the best price possible in the circumstances.

I walked away debt free but with absolutely nothing other than our furniture, clothes, books and photos, which is more than many people!

I am truly blessed that because of my education, support system, and willingness to accept help, a couple of years later, my kids and I are doing really well.  Our home isn’t as fancy as it used to be, but it’s a happy one.  The people mover I drive is truly daggy, but hasn’t let me down yet.  And, we are ok.  Better than ok.  We are good, and we have a bright future ahead of us.

The word crisis exists for a reason.  It’s because the situation is beyond the realms of normal experience and it’s horrendous when you are in the middle of it, but it passes, especially if you have the humility to accept the kindness of strangers and the willingness to be a part of a community and give back when you can.