Graham remains positive in the face of adversity
Nearly three months after a fire gutted his home, a Glenwood resident had more bad luck to deal with, but has not given up and encouraged others to have a safety plan in place for homes and families in case on an emergency.
WHEN life throws terribly tough curve balls your way, Glenwood resident, Graham Robjant says one cannot give up but press on.
Graham has been through quite a few difficult patches in recent months. Local residents will recall that his home was gutted by a fire in the early hours of New Year’s Eve. While that is enough to make any person deflated, Graham pushed through and has survived the past three months with the generous support of friends, family and the greater Berea community.
The well known electrical technician and pyrotechnic operator told Berea Mail, that while the fire was not the first piece in his string of bad luck, it certainly wasn’t the last. “It all started when I had a fall while walking my dog Kierra in October last year, I was in hospital for two weeks as I had injured my hip and was home for just about a week when my 89-year-old mum had a bad fall and broke her hip. When she returned from hospital, she could not walk so we had to do everything for her because she was very frail. A month later, we had the fire which gutted the house.
“My mum passed away two weeks ago and it has really taken its toll. I have just brought her ashes home,” he said sadly. Workers found my mother’s engagement ring and wedding band, as well as her wedding dress and a few family albums among the ashes. “It would have been nice for her to have come back home when the house was ready but I guess it wasn’t meant to be.”
Since the fire, Graham has moved into his garage which has become his living room, lounge, bedroom, pantry and workshop, while his home which was built in the 1920s is being rebuilt. “It is fine I have my my trusty dog with me guarding the house and my three cats have returned home. We have a makeshift kitchen outside and eat in the garden,” he added, smiling. Graham said he was grateful his insurance paid to have his house rebuilt, the only home he has known in his 59 years. He refused to live in a guest house while the house is demolished and rebuilt because as he puts it, “I can’t just leave, the pets rely on me.”
To add insult to injury Graham had another blow last Friday evening, when the storm sent a lightening bolt through his solar power inverter. “I heard a huge bang and saw a blinding flash and then all the lights went out on our UPS solar power and it took out all the electronic equipment and solar power inverter but the battery and solar panels survived. There was stuff on the work bench that wasn’t even plugged in but the electro magnetic pulse, took everything out.”
Graham hopes the the lightning strike was the last of his bad luck, and remains positive. “All of it really puts things in perspective, especially with what is important. I have to say a big thank you to friends, family and the community who offered moral support, financial and donations. Hopefully one day I will be able to help somebody in need. My daughter Tamlyn has also been amazing. She organised everything and helped us by letting people know what had happened to us on social media.
“We’ve had fire, rain, wind and lightning, yet survived. No matter what happens, you have to pick up the pieces and go forward and try and put yesterday behind you. When you look at how many people have less than nothing you realise how grateful you are.
After all that has happened to Graham, he says he has learnt and encourages everyone to have a safety action plan in case of any emergencies. “It’s also good to go on a first aid course and keep a fire extinguisher at home. When something happens its chaotic so you need to have a plan or buddy system and discuss it with your family and neighbours,” he advised.
