Advocacy support delivers positive outcome for Navy veteran

Following a challenging few years in the Australian Defence Force, Navy veteran Rebecca Connolly made the decision to discharge from the military at 22 years old.

“I was still quite young,” she says.

“I was struggling with my mental health, so I was given the option to either hang around a little longer and take a medical discharge, or just take my five-year end of service agreement discharge.”

Navy veteran Rebecca Connolly pictured with her dog Orbit

Immediately after Rebecca discharged, she attempted to submit some of her Department of Veteran Affairs’ (DVA) compensation claims herself.

“It wasn’t until many years later that one of my old colleagues told me that I needed to reach out to the RSL and talk to an advocate about getting compensation through DVA.

“I said back, ‘What’s an advocate?’.”

Finding the support she needed 

After that conversation in 2021, Rebecca reached out to RSL Queensland and arranged an appointment to visit the Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre in Cairns. There she met her compensation advocate, Debb Seabrook.

“Without Debb, I would not have been able to go through this process,” Rebecca says.

“She was very approachable, understanding and just open. She is understandably busy but would always make time for you and just be that listening ear. Or she’d point you in the right direction of what services there are and where to get support. 

“Debb’s been my background supporter. From when I first walked into the office in 2021 to now, there’s been a drastically positive change in me and a lot of that is because of her support.”

Rebecca credits RSL Queensland Compensation Advocate Debb Seabrook with helping her through the DVA claims process

With help from Debb, Rebecca now has a DVA Gold Card and recently received ‘permanent impairment’ status on all her claims that have been submitted to date.

“Receiving this outcome relieved a great level of stress and anxiety in my day-to-day life,” Rebecca says. 

“Now that I receive incapacity payments, I have that sense of financial security for the first time in a long time. I was living in fight or flight mode for so long, struggling to put food on the table for my family. 

“But this outcome has made me feel calmer and I can now focus on getting my mental and physical health back. It has also allowed me to be more present for my family.

“I would never be in this position had it not been for the RSL.”

After Rebecca started visiting the Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre in Cairns for advocacy support, she also started attending some of the Mates4Mates social connection activities that are hosted at the Centre.   

"I’ve participated in quite a variety of activities over the last year or two. I’ve done everything from resin pouring to Bonsai workshops, to art programs and leather and jewellery making,” she says. 

Seek support from the get-go 

Looking back at her advocacy journey, Rebecca encourages others in similar situations to reach out to an advocate for support.

“I tried to do it myself initially, but there was so much legislation that I didn’t understand,” Rebecca recalls.  

“The whole process can be incredibly stressful if you’re doing it by yourself, so I’d highly recommend speaking with an advocate from the get-go. 

Working with an advocate helped Rebecca get the compensation she needed to take back control of her life

“They’re familiar with the legislation, they’ve done the process before, and they’ve likely worked with someone in a similar situation to you.

“I think the best thing you can do is make the phone call and organise to have a chat with an advocate. It’s not only what’s best for you, but also what’s best for your family.

“Your claims won’t be solved in a day, but the process is gentle and supportive the whole time. 

“And at the end of the day, it will potentially get you the support you need for yourself, your future, and your family’s future as well.”