Advocacy

I write to make a difference in the world

So naturally, advocacy is a key part of everything I do.

It might be by helping an organisation or business that’s making a positive impact on the world to find their perfect words.

It might be through my journalism, where I share stories that matter, often raising awareness for important causes and perspectives.

Or it might be through sharing my own experiences.

Either way—I know words have power. And I’m committed to using that power to change the world.

CHRONIC PAIN AND DISABILITY ADVOCATE

I’ve always had painful periods. But I didn’t realise just how painful until I was 23, when I broke my wrist and realised my period pain was more painful than a broken bone.

Before long, my pain worsened. It wasn’t just during my periods any more, and a whole host of other symptoms popped up, including fatigue, brain fog, nausea, numbness and tingling in my hands and feet, and difficulty with mobility.

I searched for years for answers to my pain. I had three surgeries, and countless tests and scans. I saw dozens of doctors and specialists, begging to be heard.

Now, I have a diagnosis for fibromyalgia, and am being investigated for a number of other conditions. And it’s because of this lived experience that I’m so passionate about chronic pain and disability advocacy: because it opened up my eyes to many of the challenges and barriers disabled people face.

I try to help where I can by sharing my own experiences, as well as the experiences of others, to raise awareness and hopefully create societal change. I also hope my work helps others who are going through the same thing to know they aren’t alone.

MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATE

I’ve lived with mental illness for as long as I can remember. I have bipolar and anxiety, and also experience PTSD symptoms as a result of surviving the 2019/2020 Black Summer Bushfires, so I’m pretty passionate about mental health advocacy and championing lived experience as much as I can.

I know very well what it’s like to struggle with your mind. I’ve been to some very dark places, where I wished with all my heart that I could cease to exist, just to ease the pain.  But with therapy and a lot of hard work, I’m in a much better place.

I still have my down days; and that’s okay. I am so open about my own journey, because I reject the idea that mental illness is shameful. And I think talking about what we experience is the first step to combatting the stigma that surrounds mental health.

BUSHFIRE RECOVERY ADVOCATE

In 2019, I returned to my beloved hometown of Batemans Bay on the NSW coast, only to be trapped by fire. And on New Year’s Eve, I watched my town burn.

The Black Summer Bushfires were terrifying. I felt so helpless, and so afraid. I didn’t know if the people I loved were alive.

With no power and limited reception, information was a premium, and even the Fires Near Me app was dangerously outdated. So, I decided to use my journalism skills to provide information. I shared what I saw on social media, including photos and images that went viral. I even wrote one story by hand, before driving to a place with reception, using my laptop’s last 20 minutes of charge, speedily typing it up, hot-spotting my phone and sending it to my editor. And after the bushfires, I continued to share the stories of my community through articles. By doing this, I was able to raise $20k+ for my local community.

But I realised articles just weren’t enough. So, I decided to start writing a book. It’s a narrative non-fiction collection of our stories of survival: the good, the bad, the brave and the terrifying.

I’m currently seeking representation from literary agents before I apply to some more publishers. I know there are other bushfire stories out there, but I am adamant all our stories matter. 

They’re our voices. Our history.

And I won’t let the world forget what we’ve been through.

Words of love from people i’ve worked with

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