Maxine

Welfare

Maxine had a triple heart bypass in 2003, leaving her vulnerable. The following year her husband was admitted to a hospice, but sadly he passed away five days later.

Maxine says her husband’s sudden death was such a shock that she had a nervous breakdown and became depressed.

‘I was going downhill fairly quickly,’ she says. ‘My daughter, who lives in a different town, rang The Salvation Army and asked if someone could come to see me.’

Maxine was in a poor state emotionally and physically when a Salvation Army officer visited. She was living on a hill with lots of steps, which was only adding to her misery. She had a tendency to black out when climbing the steps, so had submitted to staying home and was becoming increasingly isolated.

The Salvation Army worked with Housing NZ to find her more suitable accommodation. Then Salvation Army volunteers helped her shift house.

Living on a pension was also difficult, with Maxine finding money increasingly tight. Skyrocketing food prices were making things even harder. The Salvation Army helped her get through the worst times with food parcels, and also helped her establish a budget.

She is also receiving regular counselling, which is helping her come to terms with her grief and other life events. As well as the loss of her husband, Maxine is coping with the death of her sister just before Christmas and the loss of a number of close friends.

Maxine says that while she still suffers from anxiety and panic attacks sometimes, she is feeling a lot more upbeat about life. She credits her improved mood as having a positive effect on her health.

‘The Salvation Army has helped improve my outlook on life. I am very grateful at every step of the way for the help I have received,’ she says. ‘I don’t think I could have survived doing it on my own.’