So much of life we simply take for granted.
We go to bed each night without giving a thought as to the prospect of not being here in the morning. This can be ourselves or some loved one, and amidst all of this we live in a world where this can never happen to us, or so we believe.
Well, what my wife and I thought could never happen has in fact happened. This time it was our turn. The impossible had happened to us.-----------
-------------------------------Our eldest son was dead.
At 5-25 am on Friday the 24th of August 2007, we received that life shattering phonecall from interstate Police to advise that our eldest son had been killed instantly in a single car accident.
How do you imagine you would respond to such a call? Shock, horror, sadness, anger, disbelief, and a million other feelings. As this dramatic announcement slowly starts to sink in you start to believe that you have dreamt the whole thing, only to realize that it's not a dream. This is in fact your waking nightmare and it will live with you the rest of your days. For the next few days you go through the motions of life like a zombie, and the hardest thing you have to do is to let family and friends know of the tragedy.
One of your very own invincibles has been taken from you so savagely and undeservedly.
This is the situation that now faces you for the rest of your life, however, there are arrangements to be made, certain things need to be done. First of all you have to arrange to get to the state to claim the body, and arrange for a funeral and so many other things and all the while time is the pressing agent, followed by the heavy financial burden. Don't get me wrong but stop and think for a moment,---- how would you pay approximately $7000.00 to $8000.00 to finance a funeral for anyone? Would you draw it out of the bank? Would you get a loan? Would you borrow from a friend?------ So what would you do?
Because it's a loved one you want to do the right thing to remember them, but how to do that when your'e not that financial?
Well, all that we are able to say is, thank God the accident happened in Victoria and thank God for the foresight of the Victorian Government and the existence of the TAC (Transport Accident Commission). Through this body, assistance is given with burial or cremation expenses as well as support with family counselling and support for a dependent spouse or partner, and also support for dependent children.
Never be of the opinion that this could never happen to you, but, heaven forbid, if it did,
wouldn't it be nice to know that there was someone there to help in your hour of need.
As a legacy to our Son it is my aim to ensure that a similar body is established in Queensland and ultimately Australia wide.
If you would like to visit the Victorian website:
Go to www.tac.vic.gov.au
If you wish to contact me please feel free to do so.
