About Care Factor - In Conversation with Sara James

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For Kristine, life had turned out pretty much to plan.  She had two happy kids, a loving husband, and a rewarding job improving the lives of people with a disability. 

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Then, when her husband came down with what everyone thought was an average flu, Kristine’s life plan began to unravel.

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As she sat and watched her husband on life support, Kristine took comfort in the knowledge that she could get her family back on track because she knew the system.  

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The reality was in sharp contrast to the rhetoric she was trained to deliver.

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In the blink of an eye, her family had become welfare dependent and their survival hinged on the generosity of others and the decisions of public servants.

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This story follows Kristine’s quest to regain some control over her life.  A life with palpable grief, tinged with survivor’s guilt, trying to keep her family together as they all adjust to a life less than promised.

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A life of frustration, made worse by ongoing roadblocks and challenges when seeking support through government agencies. 

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A life where humour still exists, even in the darkest places, and this humour is the key to getting you through life’s cruelty.

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And a realisation that human behaviour is fascinating and that times like these bring out the best and the worst of it.