Recently bereaved mum, Fiona Hallum, shares how she’s finding her feet after the loss of her son Max. With the support of Carers NSW and Service NSW Women’s Return to Work Program, Fiona will be undertaking 100 hours of work placement as a School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) at the school Max attended. “It was confirmation I was doing the right thing; it was just meant to be!” Read on, below.
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For a long time, it’s been my heart's desire to do something at Max’s school. The inner thoughts turned to discussions about 18 months ago when I met with the social worker through our local hospital. We talked about practical things that could be done to address my thoughts on what I would do for work after Max passed away. We didn’t know when his time would be, the warrior he was, he had already surpassed all expectations. As it turned out, nothing came of it. Max had other ideas, but I kept planning, thinking, praying about it.
The week after the BDSRA Australia’s Family Retreat in November 2022, I took a personalised copy of Ineka’s book about Batten Disease, “Max and Abby”, to Max’s school. That’s when I planted the seed with the Assistant Principal (pictured), saying “I’m coming here to work for you next year!” I really wanted to be an SLSO at Max’s school to honour his memory, and give something back. They do such great things for the kids and school community there. Plus, I could be home outside school hours for my daughter Abigail.
Each week, things kept aligning and ultimately landed me in a workshop run by Carers NSW and TAFE NSW just before the end of the school year. Unknowingly, that day I would actually be enrolled at TAFE for 2023! In the meantime however, Max had become increasingly unwell and before I knew it, Term 1 was coming to be end and felt I was failing.
Then Max passed. Life went on hold. To say the least.
Some weeks later I learned I was eligible for the Women’s Return-to-Work Programme offered by Service NSW, and registered my interest for SLSO training. It was an incredibly daunting step for me, especially because I haven’t worked since I was pregnant with Max… 16 years ago!
But things continued to align for me. Right when Max passed, an old friend I hadn't seen in over 15 years reached out to me on Facebook. She came along to Max's funeral and - amazingly - it turns out she works at the local primary school and was able to guide me through the process of becoming an SLSO. There was paperwork, of course. A LOT of paperwork. But it didn't deter me. I rang Max's school to see if they might have an available opportunity for me to undertake some of my SLSO work placement training. They were pleasantly surprised to hear from me - in the week prior, my name had been mentioned at a staff meeting. Short staffed, the Assistant Principal had asked, “What about Fiona?” She remembered our conversation from last year! It was all the confirmation I needed - they offered me a job as a casual SLSO at Max's school!
I’m currently working through the lengthy screening process. In the meantime, I’m also supporting two clients through NDIS disability services which I’m able to do through a connection with one of Max’s support workers Kristy. My experience with caring for Max enables me to advocate and care for these clients. I am so excited about this next stage in my life, and I’m thankful that it is something that honours Max’s life. Yay!
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Max taking in the 'Max & Abby" children's book on Batten Disease to school[/caption]
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Fiona and Max out the front of his school[/caption]
Max taking in the 'Max & Abby" children's book on Batten Disease to school[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1585" align="alignnone" width="525"] Fiona and Max out the front of his school[/caption]