Story by Dana Flannery.
Just turned 17, abandoned by her parents, living hand to mouth without even a pair of shoes to her name. Sarah (not her real name) was living on the streets and 32 weeks pregnant. The baby’s father was in prison and the Queensland Department of Child Services was ready to take her baby. She reached out to her estranged older cousin Tommy Connolly. It had been 10 years since they’d last seen each other but he was the only family she could turn to. They were relative strangers, but what he did next is both inspirational and heroic.
Tommy Connolly, a twenty something athlete from the Sunshine Coast didn’t just turn his back on his baby cousin, and her unborn child. He turned his own life upside down for them.
“She’s spent more time on the streets than anywhere else. She knows DOCS and the police better than she knows her own family. Not many people know her story; it’s very intense, nobody deserves the life she’s had.”
READ: Interview with Tommy Connelly
He spent the next few months dealing with DOCS and other government departments, having his life scrutinised and jumping through hoops so that he could be declared her foster parent. He then set up a whole life for his little cousin – getting her a bank account, a doctor, furniture, baby items and moving to a place she could call home.
“She’s now living in a safe, stable, awesome house on the Sunshine Coast, away from drugs, violence and drama” he stated on his Facebook page.
He is even teaching her to drive and giving her literacy lessons as she’s had little formal schooling.
“She’s the toughest girl I know and all she wants is for her baby boy to have a better life than she’s had” he said.
Sarah said “I am the luckiest girl in the world, since carrying this gorgeous boy, all of my friends kept telling me that he would be taken away from me. This made my pregnancy very difficult. All I wanted was to give this little man a better life than I had – a second chance was all I wanted. Thank-you, Tommy for everything, and for helping me with my spelling.” she said on Facebook.
Baby ‘K’ was born safely in mid-March and continues to live with his mum and second cousin Tommy. See more of their journey together via his Facebook page
You can show your support by visiting Go Fund Me and making a donation.
So much love for this story. What a good man!
This makes me happy. Ur a good cousin. I hope hood things come to you both. Xoxo
That young man is an example of what every young man should be!
You are an amazing young man and even though I do not know you, I am very proud of you for everything you have done for your cousin and her son!! The world needs more people like you!!!
Your a good man, so good to hear there a decent men left in this world!!. Really happy to hear this story. May good karma come to you tenfold!! Congratulations Kiarna and well done!! 🙂
You are one amazing man and she is a lucky girl to have you 🙂
Your a good person tommy the future looks brighter already for your cousins and yourself good luck and best wishes for the 3 of you
Absolutely amazing and just beautiful.
It’s not about being a good relative, it’s about a great human who shares this world with others.
If I was to ever meet you, the first 2 rounds are on me.
Nothing prouder than helping those in need, even better when you give them the chance they need to change their life.