Michelle's SOS Makeover adventure
Michelle is part of the SOS London Divorce Makeover, and she is accessing free information and inspirational advice and sharing her experiences with us.
For an introduction to Michelle's adventure, read on.....
Michelle is taking part in the "SOS London Divorce Makeover". This means she will benefit from some free advice and inspiration from a selection of our SOS exhibitors who have generously donated their time to show what options and choices are available to someone going through divorce or relationship breakup. The story begins with Michelle telling us about the complexity and pain of her situation......
Early November 2009
"My husband has petitioned for divorce and I have yet to receive the court paper work. So we are in the initial stages of divorce. We separated on the 27th December 2007, the timing of which, was down to the house opposite ours becoming vacant and available for rent. My husband moved out of the marital home and into this smaller 3 bedroomed rental property opposite our home, just across a small village green. Many questioned our decision and thought this too close for comfort, but actually the practicality of it worked out very well...
Our marriage failed for a number of reasons. We both tried hard, took advice, and even explored counseling. None of which helped and the marriage was doomed. No-one was to blame for the untimely ending of the marriage, as there were no other persons involved at the time. Things moved on and we were happy going our separate ways. We agreed good contact with the children (every other weekend and half of the school holidays) from the outset of the separation. Living opposite one another this was really just a basis from which we worked. The children afforded themselves a lot more contact with one or other parent as they wished.
Both my husband and I explored other relationships, both of which failed as I personally felt it was too soon for either party to be involved in another relationship (I know this is how it worked out for me). Since then, we both have new steady partnerships. We initially agreed to wait the standard two years separation and then opt for a quickie divorce (if there is such a thing). Things soured between the both of us, after the arrival of his new girlfriend. Her agenda for their relationship was differing to what we agreed and my husband made an application for divorce in recent months.
I no longer live in the marital home due to relocating for a while to care for my terminally ill mother who passed away in March. It was planned I would return to the marital home if/when I returned, however my husband changed that agreement and the marital home is currently still up for sale. My husband secured another rental property (just round the corner from the marital home) of my limited choice of what was available. Of which he now refuses to pay the rent for and which I can not afford to pay for myself. This has thrown me into the hands of the benefit system and I also now face potential homelessness due to the shortfall in benefit and actually how much the rent costs. Due to financial restrictions imposed through mediation I am currently planning to represent myself (in court) and have a fixed fee solicitor to complete all the paperwork as respondent.
Mediation was helpful in as much as outlining the finances, but most of what was agreed has now been changed to suit circumstances imposed. This was a costly process for both of us and I now face bankruptcy due to my dire financial situation. So as the divorce rumbles away in the back ground, my husband and his girlfriend have contact with the children as outlined above and I face the tough job of patching them up emotionally between visits. My husband's parents fail to acknowledge me as the children's mother and after writing them a very heart felt letter I received a very cold response. I now have nothing to do with them, other than encourage the children to call them at least once a fortnight.
In the outset everything was very amicable between my husband and I, now however we no longer speak, unless its of an urgent nature via mobile or the odd email. I'm not sure if their is a way forward to improve our situation and feel it offers some comfort to his girlfriend if we have no communication. I'm Bi-Polar and in receipt of incapacity benefit. Although the government in their infinite wisdom feel it's necessary to apply pressure to me, in the form of getting me back into work, which as I suffer with a mental illness I feel is pretty mad (I can say that being Bi-Polar, its an in joke). Obviously the effects of which contribute to my illness and therefore make the situation worse. This obviously effects everything around me...as well as my day to day moods etc.
I'd like to be able to converse with my husband on an improved level with regards to our two children from our marriage and my daughter from a previous relationship (with whom he has deserted and wants nothing more to do with). He does however see our children on a regular basis. It saddens me the effect this is having on our children, however after making a number of suggestions (family therapy for us all) I was stonewalled and ignored. I now prefer to control the things within my power and let go of the things I can't. Its hard to actually add feeling to the writing of all of this, however I must add I'm not bitter about the situation, just frustrated by it. Any advice or an independent outlook would be most welcomed."
Michelle
So how can we empower Michelle and help her see what choices and options she can access? We are going to arrange for her to receive information and inspiration from the SOS professionals, and I will be interviewing her about her experiences, and how her thoughts, attitudes and actions are influenced by the advice and help that she receives. The journey begins.....
To see a video snapshot of that big day, take a look at the short film below.....
Follow Michelle's full story here........
