Matthew on road to recovery
Mattie's a happy chappy: he's got himself into rehab and his future's looking much brighter.
"I've done a stint or two before," he said. "I get stronger and more resilient each time but I need to continue my transformation."
Part of that process is the self-help and motivation books Matthew Butler gets from the Gold Coast Street Library table during Rosies Monday lunch session at Tuesley Park, where he called in to see me and have a chat.
We've know each other for a couple of years since I did a yarn on him and his dawg, Alvin.
Mattie misses his sprech-hund.
He moved into an accommodation facility that didn't allow pets and have to have Alvin re-housed. Matt still sees him occasionally. He asks about the photo I took of them together that was used in the article. Over his shoulder comes a voice from his mate Jason. They only get to see each other occasionally these days. "You gave it to me, Ian. Been keeping it for you, Mattie. I've got it in my dresser at home. Sorry, mate, I forgot. Come around later and I'll give it to you." Smiles all around.
Another small joy in Mattie's life. Sometimes there's not many but he maintains a positive demeanour.
More joy: He recently got to spend some time with his son. "Had a good time together but we don't get to do it often enough," a beaming Matthew said. "He got himself a scholarship to Southport School a couple of years ago. He's 10 now. It'll see him through primary school. It will give him a head start on high school."
Even more joy: a local agency funded his bicycle repairs so he can get about freely. "Got to have my independence. I don't like relying on other people."
So while there's some magic in Matthew's life, there's no abracadabra moment, no wave-the- wand cure.
"I know it's a long haul," he said. "But I keep working on myself. I've cleaned up a lot and I'm definitely a lot healthier so hopefully this session will be my last."
"I've done a stint or two before," he said. "I get stronger and more resilient each time but I need to continue my transformation."
Part of that process is the self-help and motivation books Matthew Butler gets from the Gold Coast Street Library table during Rosies Monday lunch session at Tuesley Park, where he called in to see me and have a chat.
We've know each other for a couple of years since I did a yarn on him and his dawg, Alvin.
Mattie misses his sprech-hund.
He moved into an accommodation facility that didn't allow pets and have to have Alvin re-housed. Matt still sees him occasionally. He asks about the photo I took of them together that was used in the article. Over his shoulder comes a voice from his mate Jason. They only get to see each other occasionally these days. "You gave it to me, Ian. Been keeping it for you, Mattie. I've got it in my dresser at home. Sorry, mate, I forgot. Come around later and I'll give it to you." Smiles all around.
Another small joy in Mattie's life. Sometimes there's not many but he maintains a positive demeanour.
More joy: He recently got to spend some time with his son. "Had a good time together but we don't get to do it often enough," a beaming Matthew said. "He got himself a scholarship to Southport School a couple of years ago. He's 10 now. It'll see him through primary school. It will give him a head start on high school."
Even more joy: a local agency funded his bicycle repairs so he can get about freely. "Got to have my independence. I don't like relying on other people."
So while there's some magic in Matthew's life, there's no abracadabra moment, no wave-the- wand cure.
"I know it's a long haul," he said. "But I keep working on myself. I've cleaned up a lot and I'm definitely a lot healthier so hopefully this session will be my last."
