Locally owned and independent
November 2, 2023
The Northern Rivers Times
NEWS 11
Diary of a Flood Survivor
W
e may be one tiny little area in Australia in the great scheme of things, especially when you see what is happening overseas between different countries and the natural disasters that are taking place. But then you also get to see the best of mankind. Just recently a very good friend of mine was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast
cancer. She went and had a biopsy and rather than just be told, it was going to be alright, she got the news no mother of young children, or anyone for that matter, wants to hear. The cancer had spread and there was possibly a secondary source. This rocked, not only her family, but her very extended group of friends as well.
Not only had this family just moved back into their home, after having floods destroy it last year, they now have to deal with a heavy round of chemotherapy for their mum and wife, for the next eight fortnights. Then, an amazing thing happened. Just like in the floods, people are rallying. One friend established a Go Fund Me account,
e r u t l u C + Arts
so that the family could be supported financially when our sick friend is unable to work due to the after effects of the chemo. Another friend set up a Take Them a Meal roster so all those with the gift of cooking could organise meals for the family when our friend is feeling too sick to prepare meals and her husband is at work. A messenger group
has been set up so our friend can simply update it, letting people know when she needs help hanging out the washing, buying a few groceries or even just having someone pop in to spend time with her. And just like in the floods, the event itself is devastating, but the response of people is incredibly heart-warming to watch. While no one ever
wants to go through another flood or, as in the case of my friend, a huge health scare, the upside is that humanity has the ability to care for and support each other. And the Northern Rivers has proved to me, it is a great example of this humanity. Little Steps
