While you were warm and dry this week, this homeless veteran was sleeping rough
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AS the nation prepares to commemorate the centenary of Gallipoli, a former special forces soldier in the Shoalhaven is living in the back of a van.
It is far from where the 45-year-old, who spent 11 years in the army, wants to be but he has no choice.
Brian (not his real name) has lived rough in the Shoalhaven since August last year, firstly out of his 23-year-old four-wheel drive and more recently a van.
Camping in state forests, where it is free, or at various reserves and boat ramps, he has survived on food handouts, and the meagre $530 a fortnight Newstart Allowance, while waiting to be placed on a disability support pension.
Brian, who discharged from the army in 2004 after 11 years, including four in the special forces and time in the counter terrorism unit, said since leaving the military his life had spiralled out of control.
After finally seeking help he was recently diagnosed with severe bipolar disorder.
An obviously proud man, Brian is embarrassed and ashamed he has ended up this way and had to ask for help.
“I have always been proud and upstanding. Never asked for help,” he said.
He described his service as “a pretty hectic time” where he saw “some horrible things” in places such as East Timor.
“I’ve lost everything. My partner of 15 years. My children,” he said.
“I haven’t spoken to my daughter for two years. Don’t even know where she and my ex are.
“I do have contact with my son. He’s 20 now, joined the army and has just returned from Afghanistan and has his own problems.
“The rest of my family has nothing to do with me.”
He survives on two-minute noodles, 85-cent bread from the supermarket, Weet-Bix and long-life milk.
“I don’t cook hot meals. Just boil water on a gas stove for the two-minute noodles,” he said.
“You try and get enough food to last for a fortnight, but if you don’t you go hungry.
“After a few days, you don’t feel hungry any more.
“I suppose I’m used to it – I’ve drawn on my army experience.”
He spends his days walking on the beach looking out to sea, which he said calms him. He also sets traps in the bush to catch extra food.
“I travel around reserves and boat ramps in Culburra, Greenwell Point and Jervis Bay but only stay a short while, so I’m not noticed,” he said.
He sneaks into caravan parks after hours to do his washing and take a shower.
“The past week, where the weather has been terribly wet and cold, has been challenging,” he said.
Wednesday was the first time in four days he had showered.
“There’s no point if you are going to get even wetter trying to get back from the shower that you’ve snuck into,” he said.
“The last few days have been horrible. It’s just been too wet to get out of the van.
“It’s a miserable existence but it is an existence.”
After having a shower and a change of clothes he said he felt “human again”.
After his diagnosis, he said he was heavily medicated.
“I didn’t know why I did a lot of the things I did, but this diagnosis explains a lot,” he said.
“Due to my mental illness, my service and stress I used to self-medicate with alcohol and that led to whole range of problems.
“Eventually, it cost me everything.”
He admits to getting in with the wrong crowd in Sydney and as his drinking became worse he “dabbled in other things”.
“I had to get out of Sydney and away to try and give myself a chance. That’s why I went bush,” he said.
“I’m a recovering alcoholic, but I haven’t had a drink in six weeks.”
He recently linked up with a local GP and gained treatment by a psychologist and psychiatrist who diagnosed his bipolar.
“I’ve had help through the Black Dog Institute and Partners in Recovery and more recently the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub,” he said.
From cash donations the Hub arranged accommodation for him in a local motel for a couple of evenings as well as providing food and petrol vouchers.
If anyone has a spare room or granny flat they could help Brian with, they can contact Kerri Snowden at the Shoalhaven Homeless Hub on 4421 8741.
The Hub is also appealing for donations of warm clothing and weatherproof gear for the many local homeless people.
“We have a number sleeping rough locally,” Ms Snowden said.
“Through the cash donations we were able to put Brian up in shelter for two nights.
“If he is going to get any better he needs stable, long-term accommodation.
“Nobody should have to live like this.
“We know at least five people who are sleeping outside or in tents and in the weather of the past week it must be miserable.
“We’ve been able to contact all of them and they have managed somehow.”