Stephen finds family he never knew he had
February 14, 2025
Stephen has spent much of his life living with a lie, a lie no person should have to endure.
His is a story of separation, uncertainty, grief, loneliness … but ultimately one of joy.
Stephen’s story took a turn for the worst when, in the early 1970s, his parents separated and he and his three siblings were placed into a children’s home. At first, the four children remained together, but eventually Stephen was removed and placed into the state disability system. He would not see his family again for more than 40 years.
Indeed, for much of that time he did not even know he had a family, having been raised to believe he was an orphan. Stephen’s sister Lisa also had a traumatic upbringing and said she spent most of her adult life believing Stephen was dead.
“We tried for years to track him down, but didn’t hear anything, so you just assume the worst,” she said. “I’d given up all hope of ever seeing him again.”
But that all changed in late 2022 when State Trustee, who manage Stephen’s affairs, reached out to the family and told them Stephen was alive and well and being supported by Melba.
“When I saw the letter, I went into shock,” Lisa said.
Initially, she thought the letter was to confirm that Stephen had died. But as she kept reading, shock turned to disbelief, which set off a train of emotions.
“Even reading it, I couldn’t believe it,” Lisa said. “I had to read the letter several times. It’s hard to explain what goes through your head, but I was just so happy.”
I just broke down in tears, thinking about all those years of wondering if he was even still alive
Planning commenced and a date was set for Stephen to meet his mother and sister and, late last year, the three were finally reunited.
“Seeing him again, I couldn’t believe it,” Lisa said.
“Even though I was sitting right next to him, holding his hand, it still didn’t feel real. I just broke down in tears, thinking about all those years of wondering if he was even still alive.”
What also gave Lisa and her mother comfort was knowing Stephen was being well cared for.
“The people at Melba are amazing,” Lisa said. “They treat Stephen like family, you can see how much they care for him. Mum and I wouldn’t have been able to look after him as well as Melba has.”
Lisa said reuniting with Stephen had given herself and her mother a sense of peace.
“My mum was in shock at first,” she said. “It was overwhelming to reunite with a child you thought you’d lost forever. But now, knowing he’s safe and cared for, she’s at peace. She keeps pictures of Stephen by her bed and looks at them every day.”
While the years of separation can never be reclaimed, Lisa and her mother are now focused on the present. She visits Stephen as often as she can, despite the challenges of shift work and distance, and Stephen’s support workers regularly send photos and updates.
“It’s a relief to know where he is,” Lisa said. “And that after all these years, we’re together again.”
