Rebecca

“My health is really bad from being homeless,” Rebecca said. “I have Type 2 diabetes, asthma and pneumonia.

“My asthma flares up in the winter when I can’t get shelter. I waited five years for a house but got three strikes. I don’t like the three strikes system.

“It would be brilliant to have a home.”

“I get antibiotics from the hospital. One time I went to hospital, but I feel like they look down on you, they finally did X-rays and I have osteomyelitis and I had a fracture, and it was infected but they didn’t believe me at first.

“I’m very unwell because of the streets. It would be brilliant to have a home.

“If it wasn’t for that I would be stuffed.”

“I get my asthma puffers from the doctor at Tranby. Because I’m a First Nations Ballardong I get Closing the Gap funding and I get free medications. If it wasn’t for that I would be stuffed.

“You can’t eat well on the streets – there is no healthy food. I’ve been told I’m lactose and gluten intolerant, there’s something wrong with my stomach.

“I’m now 30 and I’ve spent 15 years on the streets. I don’t sleep well on the streets, I have to be alert all the time and sometimes I don’t sleep.

“It makes you feel lethargic and have no energy.

“I’m waiting for a new home now.”

“If it’s raining I try and find a place to sleep somewhere.

“I suffer from schizophrenia and depression, I get streets counselling and a psychiatrist from MCOT (Mobile Clinical Outreach Team) – he’s good.

“I’m waiting for a new home now.”