From Struggle to Stability

Born in Sydney to an Italian mother and Australian father, Thomas’ life dramatically changed when his family relocated to Italy at the age of three. What began as a new adventure soon turned into a challenging reality. As he grew older, the weight of responsibility pressed down on him. Living with his parents and working exhausting hours for barely enough to get by, Thomas felt the joy of life slip away. The overwhelming stress took over, leading him into a deep depression. By 2017, it became clear he couldn’t go on like this. On his doctor’s advice, he decided to return to Australia and move in with his uncle in Lismore. What felt like an escape at the time turned into the turning point that saved his life, offering him a chance to heal and rebuild his future.

Still living with depression when he got to Australia, Thomas worked with his doctor to get support from the NDIS. It was through this funding that he was able to receive support from the Community Recovery Mental Health Services at Momentum Collective.  This support was recovery-focused, person-centred and promoted self-directed care, the necessary assistance required for Thomas to build independence while still battling depression.

The Floods That Changed Everything

After a year of living with his uncle, Thomas found a sense of independence, moving into a caravan park in South Lismore. He began volunteering with the Salvation Army, driving trucks to collect donations and for the first time in years, he felt a sense of purpose. He was content, finally feeling more settled.

But in February 2022, disaster struck. Northern New South Wales was heavily impacted by devastating floods, with Lismore among the most brutal hit. The Wilsons River surged to an unprecedented 14.4 meters and Thomas’ cabin, only 20 meters from the riverbank, was swallowed by the floodwaters. Suddenly, everything he had worked so hard to rebuild was gone.

“All my clothes, my appliances, my bedding… it was all gone,” Thomas recalled, the pain still raw.

Though he wasn’t a strong swimmer, Thomas somehow survived the ordeal. The floods may have taken everything he owned, but his resilience remained intact. He had faced hardship before, but survival felt like both a loss and a victory this time.

Getting Back on His Feet with Momentum Collective

After the flood, Thomas went to an evacuation centre run by the Red Cross. As a client of Momentum Collective, displaced and homeless, he was eligible to be housed at one of our residential rehabilitation houses. He spent a week at Mandara House, where he stayed until he was supported by staff in securing a room in a shared house in Ballina, a positive move towards a more permanent roof over his head.

Even though Ballina was a nice place, Thomas missed Lismore and his support network. He also found it hard to afford the higher cost of living there. Luckily, just before Christmas 2022, a one-bedroom social housing unit became available in Lismore, and Thomas moved back. His new home was up on a hill and safe from flooding, so he felt comfortable moving in.

“It’s nice and it’s just me here, which I like,” Thomas said.

A Fresh Start in Lismore

In Lismore, Thomas returned to volunteering with the Salvation Army, eager to stay connected to the community that had seen him through so much. Due to new volunteering rules, he found a new role sorting and unpacking donations. Even without a car, Thomas walks the two-kilometre journey to and from work three days a week. The walk keeps him active and has become a routine he enjoys, improving his health and spirits.

Thomas also loves making electronic music. Thanks to the NDIS support he’s received, he now has the equipment to create his own tracks, which he proudly uploads to SoundCloud. As luck would have it, his NDIS support worker shares his love for music and they often work on songs together.

When asked what else he would like to be doing, Thomas grinned and said, “This is it! I can’t fit much more in; I’m so busy.”

Exciting Plans for the Future

Thomas is saving up to visit his family in Italy next year. He talks to his mum daily on FaceTime and looks forward to seeing his family in person after a long time. His siblings even considered moving to Australia after hearing how happy Thomas was.

When asked about his future dreams, Thomas said, “My dream is this! Living well, looking after my mental health and doing what I love”. He is proud of how far he has come and loves his life in Lismore.

Thomas is also very thankful for the help he has received from Momentum Collective. “Momentum Collective, especially Philippa and Martina, has been amazing since the floods! I’m happier than ever! On a happiness scale from 1 to 10, I’m a 9½ and that’s pretty good!”

Thomas’ story shows how having a stable and safe home and the proper support can improve lives.