Hope and human potential
“I was at my lowest point before I started working with Deb and Avivo,” said Tom.
Life had not been kind to Tom in the years leading up to his first interaction with Avivo in 2020. A series of devastating events saw Tom’s life spiral out of control.
“In 2009, I had a car accident that damaged my back. I suffer from spinal degeneration now,” said Tom.
“Six months later, we had the Toodyay fires. My partner and I lost everything on our 10.5-acre property.”
Tom and his partner tried to rebuild. But in 2010, their relationship broke down, and Tom was diagnosed with cancer.
“When all that happened, I escaped to Bali. That’s what I did. I’d flee when things got hard… I got a little rejuvenated and started running a restaurant over there,” remembered Tom.
But things soon took another upsetting turn for Tom.
His new partner died in Bali, and he didn’t get to say goodbye. Then the restaurant where Tom was working was being sold off, so he decided it was time to move back to Perth.
With nowhere to call home, Tom ended up homeless on the streets of Northbridge.
Serendipity
In a fortunate turn of events, Monica Lee from Avivo ran into Tom while he was homeless and encouraged him to speak to Avivo for support.
Deb Cording, Team Facilitator for Team Northam knew Tom from years before and put up her hand to support him.
“When I started working with Tom in May 2020, he suffered from severe anxiety and couldn’t go out alone. He just hated being in public,” said Deb.
“He could barely walk due to his back and needed a walking frame and then a scooter.
“And now the journey has come to this! What an amazing man.”
Deb told us this on the day of Tom’s first ever photography exhibit. From battling severe anxiety a few short years ago to hosting a public exhibition that shared his vulnerabilities, it’s been quite a journey.
“I was at my lowest point before I started working with Deb and Avivo,” Tom said. “I was sitting right here writing my suicide note. There was a mental health event over there, and here I was.
“Then I met a lady from Toodyay who worked for Avivo. I told her my story and she said I should speak to Avivo and see what they could do.
“I don’t think I’d be here without Avivo.”
Talent and potential
Through Deb’s work with Tom, she encouraged him to pursue his passion for photography. She saw his talent and how it lit him up.
“I had thousands of photos and eventually, I said to Deb, ‘I want to do an exhibition’. It’s helped me through my mental health journey, and I show that through the photos,” said Tom.
Tom and Deb were successful in getting a Small Sparks Grant through Avivo. The Small Sparks Grants support Avivo customers and employees to follow a dream and bring an idea to fruition through a small allowance. It’s a way to help people to connect to the community and develop their capacity.
Tom put his grant towards buying ink for his printer, which helped print the photos he needed to create the exhibit.
So, once Tom had locked in the location for the exhibition, there was no turning back.
“This is the one thing I can now say I’ve completed and I’m happy I’ve completed it,” said Tom.
“I have a history of jumping ship when things get too hard. I’m still nervous, but I’m really proud of myself.”