One night, in the back of taxi, a friend admitted that he was thinking about suicide. He told me it was black and dark and that he was ready to give up. He didn’t look at me. He didn’t raise his voice... but, in the back of the taxi – he reached out to me.
We talked. We hugged.
We cried. We held each other.
And... he’s still here today.
Every day, people struggle with life... with not giving up.
Years ago, I read an inspiring article about Don Ritchie.
He lives across the road from an Australian
tourist attraction.... The Gap.
The Gap is beautiful – steep cliffs plunging dramatically into an angry sea.
It’s a perfect suicide point.
(It’s the most commonly used suicide position in Australia.)
Don Ritchie lives where he can see people facing death. He is drawn out of his home by people who are giving up... standing on the edge of the cliff, waiting for the moment when they will step off and end their pain.
Statistics show that he has saved 160 people from jumping to their death....
Ritchie believes that he has
stopped more than 400 people.
He is known as the Angel of The Gap, saving people for over 45 years.
The “Angel” walks over to where people have neatly left piles of personal items, and offers cups of tea, beer or a chat. He offers a smile and lends an ear.
Many are saved. Others are lost.
Imagine trying to invite someone to your home only to have them jump.... the wind throwing their hat into the air, before you catch it. Surely, the memory would linger forever...
Don has this in his memory.
Don sometimes receives letters in the mail, presents and offers of thanks. People he has saved have sent their thanks in countless ways. A postcard bearing the words: ‘I am well’, must mean so
much to this amazing man.
Parents of suicide vicitims thank Don, gaining comfort in knowing that their child's last moments were spent in the kindness of Don.
I am not the only person in admiration of Don Ritchie.
He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2006 for his services to suicide prevention.
While Don Ritchie wants us to know that life is worth living, he is reluctant to tell his story. It seems that every time it is told, people realise that The Gap is the ideal place for suicide and more people are lost.
As we celebrate Christmas and welcome
in the New Year,
thousands of people will be lost in dark thoughts.
At 84, Don Ritchie, can’t always be
the Angel of The Gap.
Maybe, we can help someone…
Sometimes, just being there is enough…. Sometimes, listening is enough… Sometimes, a hug is enough… Sometimes, people reach out to us. When they do, make sure you are ready to be there for them.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians under the age of 44.
(Lifeline provides mental health and suicide prevention support and is busiest around Christmas and New Year. Between midnight on Christmas Day and and midnight on January 2, 2010, the service received 9948 calls, a 10 per cent increase on last year.)
http://www.smh.com.au/national/an-angel-walking-among-us-at-the-gap-20090731-e4f2.html
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.medicalobserver.com.au/
http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://29.media.tumblr.com
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/12/23/3100513.htm
1 comment:
Did you see that Don got the 'Local Hero' of the year on Australia Day. A well deserved recognition.
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