Dear Peter and Crew,
In the past I have gone through life with the idea that no
matter how bad the situation just might be, you can ensure that
something positive will always transpire, either as a direct or
indirect result, and generally you will walk away better off.
In saying that, the recent sudden news that our son Joshua has
lost his battle with cancer and his time with us is to be short
blew all my theories and any understanding of the world out the
window. With medical teams arguing as to who was on the right
track, which is the right medicine, is Josh in pain or not? I
became confused and lost all faith.
Most recently a goodbye trip to Queensland in order to find some
quality time with our son quickly became a logistical nightmare as
my partner and I had exhausted all other financial avenues. For a
time it did look like it was to be a non-event, another let
down in Joshua's short life. We realized that we required some
third party assistance. On approaching the usual charitable funds
that assisted people in situations such as ours, I was gutted as,
one by one, they refused to assist us due to Joshua being under
four. We continued our search and finally approached your
organisation.
Yet again, Camp Quality put the proverbial best foot forward and
did what they simply do best. Had Camp Quality not assisted in the
way that they did, then that important week away to share all we
can with our dying child would definitely not have gone ahead. Both
Katherine and I are fully aware of the mountains moved to assist us
and I guess this is the reason my short note is so long. I cannot
begin to find the words to express, explain, or even wash over, the
appreciation and deep respect both my partner and I have for you
and the entire staff of Camp Quality.
lt is also very important to note the assistance from other
members of your organisation interstate. This alone shows us that
honesty, integrity, compassion and a simplistic "can do" mentality
is entrenched deeply throughout the entire Camp Quality within
Australia.
During the entire nightmare that has evolved over the past 12
months Camp Quality has to date been the one organisation who has
continuously offered support to my family, be it financial or
emotional. Such simple things such as "pop in for a coffee and chat
whenever you need", is an invitation it appears offered exclusively
by Camp Quality and was indeed extended to my partner and I by
every member of your team in the past on more than one occasion.
Camp Quality have always treated us with dignity and have
continually offered us support and options with regard to short
respite parking and many other items but recently, despite our
necessary financial conditions needed to ensure continual support
across the State you took the perhaps not so unusual step of
modifying or adjusting your position to suit.
The entire team at Camp Quality are an amazing bunch here in
Tasmania and I am a proud parent when I say that my son has been
touched by each and every one of you in a very special way. ln
reality, even before my son passes, many more children shall fall
to this horrid disease, I pray that in the not too distant future
mankind shall find a cure to eradicate cancer. I wish for many
things right now but one of the things on top of my list is that I
wish Peter and his amazing crew every possible good fortune. They
have given my partner and I an opportunity to show something of the
world to our little boy before he goes and they have also taught me
along the way not to lose faith in the world. There is a lot of
good out there, but sometimes you need to see past the tears.
Regards
lan Roberts & Kath Brown