“We missed a lot of school and sometimes there wasn’t enough for us to eat."

“We missed a lot of school and sometimes there wasn’t enough for us to eat."

My name is Aaron and I am turning 12 this year. I like football, swimming and school holidays. Last year my Mum started acting weird all the time and would go out and not come home until the next day. Me and my older sister had to look after ourselves and then care for our Mum when she came back. We missed a lot of school and sometimes there wasn’t enough for us to eat and no money to buy anything. I didn’t mind though, I just wanted my Mum to get better. She used to sleep a lot and just when we though she was getting better she would disappear again. We tried calling my Dad who lives in Sydney but he drinks a lot and said that he couldn’t remember who we were. One day my aunt came to visit us and when she saw how sick my Mum was she took us back to her house to live. Now we live with my wonderful auntie and uncle and two little cousins. I’m starting to catch up at my new school and I have a tutor who helps me with my reading. I get to play football every weekend and now we don’t have to worry about what we are going to eat. The last time I spoke to Mum was Christmas day when she phoned to wish us Happy Christmas but she was too sick to come and see us. In February she died from the drugs she was taking. Sometimes I get really sad and wish we could see her again but I’m glad she doesn’t have to be sick anymore. Thank-you Mirabel for helping us through and I can’t wait until the school holidays when we go on camp and see all our friends. My auntie and uncle are hoping to take us to Mirabel House again if possible. It was so much fun to go swimming at the beach everyday and use my new boogie board. Me and Larissa will definitely be at the next Big Day Out and I can’t wait to do the footy clinic.