Sean’s reliance on alcohol continued. On more than one occasion, he spent the night in a police cell for being drunk and disorderly. Then one morning, Sean’s world came crashing down.
Facing consequences, thoughts of self-harm
"I was pre-drinking before a mate’s 21st and the next thing I know, I'm behind the driver's seat of my car trying to drive home.”
“On the way, I crashed into a parked car before taking off on foot. Someone saw me walking down the road and not long after I was arrested,” says Sean.
“I remember that sinking feeling in my stomach when I woke up and remembered what had happened. I told my parents and then found out I had written off both cars and lost my license for 12 months.”
The next few weeks were tough. Sean had just started a business with a friend, so money was tight, especially with what he owed for the cars. He was embarrassed about the accident and battling to come to terms with his sexuality.
He was also losing interest in things that previously brought him joy. Even being at his local football club, his happy place for so many years, started to wear thin. As captain, not being able to bring his full self to the club started to take its toll.
Sean started to think about taking his own life.
“I remember sitting at mum and dad's house place one Saturday night thinking, ‘tonight is the night. If you end it now, your family and friends don't have to suffer through the fact that they have a gay brother, a gay son or a gay friend,’” says Sean.
Fortunately, Sean was able to push these thoughts away. In a bid to keep himself busy, Sean threw himself into his work. That’s when he met Mike.
