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.
6 comments:
I am deeply sorry to read about your loss. I cannot begin to imagine the impact your son's death is having on you and your family.
I appreciate the kind words you share about the TAC scheme. Our people care deeply about their role in accident prevention or where crashes occur, caring for people touched by the road toll and helping crash survivors in their return to health, work and independence.
The scheme is very effective and is in place in Tasmania (see www.maib.tas.gov.au). Limited care models have recently been estabslished in NSW for catastrophically injured people (see www.lifetimecare.nsw.gov.au) and in the NT.
I wish you well in the future.
I am deeply moved by your story and encourage you to continue on with your campaign. TAC is a great scheme and one of the best in the world. May you find the courage and strength to continue your journey.
Thank you,your comments have been of great assistance to both my wife and myself. We do have a firm vision for implementing a scheme in Queensland and ultimately Australia wide. The two sites for Tasmania and New South Wales have given us hope that the task may not be as dificult an undertaking as first envisaged.
Thank you especially to tac ceo., I have placed both these sites into my folder of favourites for easy reference. At present I am dealing with the State Member for Waterford and the State Member for Springwood, as well as the Premier's Office in Queensland.
Now that the election date has been set it is my intention to e-mail both the Prime Ministers office and the Office of the Opposition Leader Mr Rudd. Hopefully, one or both may wish to run with this issue as an election promise for all road users in Australia.
Hi. I am greatly sorry for your loss, but glad that you had TAC help! My parents could have been in the same situation without the TAC. However, thankfully, i made it with only brain injury.
My accident was in May on Mt Cootha, and i made use of the public health in Qld because there is only the public brain injury unit at PA. I came to Melbourne where there are more services for brain injury because there is more private funding, like that from TAC.
So after experiencing the services in both states (as an inpatient for 6 months) I want to help push for a TAC in Qld. I hope that together we can implement this scheme in Queensland.
Please contact me by posting a follow up comment.
Hi Hamlet,
Many thanks for your comments, and we are sorry to hear of your experience, but thankfully you and your family have been spared the horror of the unthinkable.
I'm sorry I did not respond to your comment sooner but I hope that you still see this response. I would be most interested in making contact with you in order to push ahead with this most worthy cause. I have in the meantime sent correspondence to both the Prime Minister and Mr. Kevin Rudd, suggesting that they include this project in their election campaign either Federally or as a requirement that all States should undertake to implement a scheme along the lines of Victoria.
You can contact me through this blog or via my email at dippy2@optusnet.com.au
I look forward to your contact in the near future, and maybe we will be able to achieve something of value for others. Any help or ideas on this matter will be greatly appreciated.
Regards Terry.
The Touch of a Master's Hand
Myra B Welch
Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar, then, two! Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three . . ."
But no,
From the room, far back, a grey-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.
The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low, said:
"What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
"Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
"Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
And going and gone."said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand, what changed its worth?"
Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a Master's Hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A 'mess of potage,' a glass of wine;
A game - and he travels on.
He is 'going' once, and 'going' twice,
He's 'going' and almost 'gone'.
But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's Hand.
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