Salem was born in Lebanon in 1960 and moved to Australia when he was a young adult. He later married, had two children, and worked as a cleaner for an Australian airline. He loved living in Australia and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
In 2006, Salem was assaulted. It was a very serious incident that left him with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and other health issues.
After a long hospital recovery, he returned home to his wife and children. He suffered memory loss, chronic back pain, anxiety and mood swings. He was also depressed and suicidal. Soon relationships in his family broke down and Salem separated from his wife.
Living alone in the St.George area of Sydney, Salem suffered social isolation and confusion. He wasn’t eating properly and he found it difficult to get out of bed each day. “Everything had changed,” Salem says. “I didn’t really understand what was happening.”
When Salem was referred to Care Connect for case management, he was admitted as a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) Community Options Programs (COPS) client. Salem discussed his life goals with a Care Connect case manager. “I wanted my Victims Compensation Claim settled,” Salem says. “And I wanted to see my children more often too.”
Salem’s case manager tailored a support plan that reviewed his medication and addressed his social isolation, and the estrangement from his family. The plan also provided domestic assistance and psychological support. Today, Salem is happier, enjoys better health, and has stronger relationships with his family and friends.
“I see my children more regularly now,” Salem says, “and my victims compensation case has finally been settled thanks to the help of Care Connect.”
Salem continues to be monitored by his case manager. Important negotiations are undertaken on Salem’s behalf to ensure his financial security. With his money from his Victims Compensation Claim, Salem hopes to visit his sister in Lebanon. He also wants to buy a car so he can drive locally and purchase his groceries.
“I want to do things for myself now,” Salem says. “I want to get out of bed and live my life. I’m pretty happy for a person who has lots of health issues.”
Written by Wendy Cavenett.