From broken to brave

Rewinding back a few years, life was great for Casey, she had a full-time job, a great rental, and was doing her best to raise her kids in a regional town in WA. But everything changed when she met a man who, instead of bringing love into her life, led her down a destructive path of drugs and domestic violence. 

As the relationship spiralled, so did Casey’s world. Within months, she lost everything: her home, her job, and ultimately, her sense of self. She was lucky to escape with her life after he petrol bombed her car. 

Unbeknown to her at the time, her ex-partner had installed surveillance equipment and listening devices throughout her house, and in her car. “It was crazy – like you’d see in a movie. I had no idea how deep I was in, it all happened relatively slowly and snuck up on me. In the beginning I was too ashamed to tell anyone, let alone reach out for help.” 

It was in this moment of heartbreak that she made what she describes as the hardest but most necessary decision of her life: to give up custody of her children to their father. She knew they deserved a level of stability she could no longer provide. 

She ended up living in her car for almost a year – something she never imagined could happen to her until she finally left the regional town that was the site of so much heartbreak and sadness and moved to Perth determined to get her life back on track. 

Here, Casey has slowly began to rebuild. Supported by a small, trusted inner circle of friends, she has come to understand that asking for help was not a weakness, but a sign of strength. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to accept a helping hand and to believe she truly deserved it. 

Life hasn’t magically become easy. The ongoing cost of living crisis means Casey still faces difficult choices every day – like giving up the simple comfort of colouring her hair so she can instead afford food and school supplies when she has her kids with her. Or so that she has petrol money when the kids call up out of the blue asking for a lift. 

For a long time, I’ve had to say no to just about everything for myself, but that’s ok. When I was in my own rental with my kids full-time, I would do a weekly shop, still buy the cheaper things – but we never went without. I’d always make sure the kids could go to the cupboard and there would be plenty of snacks. I even encouraged the kids to take a little extra to school for the kids that had nothing. I’ve always been big on that because growing up I was one of the kids that didn’t have much.” 

 

For Casey, things finally began to shift when she was introduced to Foodbank and other community organisations designed to help individuals get their lives back on track. Through access to food relief and support networks, she has found some stability and hope. Foodbank WA’s help means she can put meals on the table, easing the pressure just enough to focus on what matters most, creating a better, more sustainable and stable future for herself and her children. “Access to cheaper food means I’m able to do that again now, have snacks in the pantry. It’s amazing. My food budget is no longer a ‘panic stations moment, it means I can focus on other areas of my life too.” 

I don’t know how I’ve coped. It’s been a massive struggle. Huge. It’s one of the hardest things to do – ask for help but you have to want to help yourself. After running my own ship for so long I didn’t really factor in the option to ask for help or believe I was entitled to it – I didn’t want it to be a ‘poor me’ scenario. But there’s no shame in needing help or asking for it.  It’s empowering and gives you purpose – you are taking charge of your own life.” 

 

Today, Casey’s life isn’t perfect, but it’s moving in the right direction, and she is proud of how far she’s come. Her story is a powerful reminder that no matter how far someone may fall, with compassion, community support and the courage to ask for help, it is possible to get back up again.