Accepting help, and giving back

Robbie is a mother of two boys, who the Accoras SIFS team started working with just over 6 months ago.

She is a victim-survivor of domestic family violence from a previous situation, and has had to have treatment for cancer.

While she was going through the medical treatment, however, her boys were experiencing a different kind of ordeal. They were being sexually abused by their father.

Tragically, while Robbie was starting to work with Accoras SFIS, she discovered that she had another form of cancer.

Yet another battle to overcome faced her, but all she wanted to do was withdraw.

From her friends and support network – all the people who wanted to help her, support her, show her friendship and compassion.

She didn’t want to bother people, and her experiences with violence for both her and her boys was overwhelming.

The Accoras SIFS team was able to support Robbie, and encourage her to lean on her social network , to accept their help to get her and the boys through this very challenging time.

Her support circle did everything they could – from cooking and cleaning, to picking up the boys for their psychologist appointments, and other support appointments.

Robbie’s people closed ranks around her little family, to help them get through.

Part of the SIFS goals and framework is to help our clients develop and maintain a support network of close allies. People who lift each other up, and do whatever it takes to help get them through dark days.

And that’s what Robbie’s circle did.

She is now undergoing treatment for her current cancer, with the end of the process in sight.

The mother thanked Accoras for encouraging her to ask for help as she said she would not have done this otherwise. Helping clients develop a support network is an important part of working with clients in the SIFS space.

Robbie thanked Accoras for encouraging her to ask for help, because without their guidance, she would never have been comfortable reaching out.

And without that support, she and her boys may well have been going down a different path, one without light.

Once Robbie has completed her treatment, she said that her experience has made her want to support others who need help, by volunteering at cancer centre.

To give back, and help others change their lives too.