Why I do what I do.
My Father became acutely unwell when I was 17, resulting in him being quadriplegic. My hero went from being the best provider for our family, a man who still had me standing on his toes for a waltz, to being totally dependant on others, even to breath. I was in overwhelm. It was the day Australia won the America’s Cup. We almost lost Tony.
Our whole lives changed, my Mum, my sister and I. He did not recover, he was left with severe disability but he was alive.
After nearly two years in hospitals, Dad came home. Nursing homes were for the elderly, Dad was 52. Mum nursed him for 5 years before he passed away. He was 57, I was 25, married with a toddler. Those years in between were focused around family times, celebrating births, holidays, and anniversaries. Mum was a rock.
This was the catalyst behind me becoming a nurse, where I wanted to give my clients and their families the care, compassion and hope around their complexities. I started my hospital based training in 1986 and went on to complete my Degree, and two post graduate certificates. I even embarked on a Masters program which is in itself a story that I divulge in my third book.
I believe nursing is a wonderful profession, with many opportunities and areas for personal growth. Through my career, I reflected and learned. I developed an innate resiliece in myself that I did not know that existed. I now recognise my parent’s innate resilience in myself. I now value each day with my own growing family, and have made this a priority over relationships, career and my own priorities.
“Never mess with a Mumma Bear” (Jim Rohan.)
I’m described by others as being “tenacious”, “goal focused” and “resilient”.
I learned through those impressionable years, a strength of character that has taken me through my marriage difficulties, my health journey, my nursing career challenges, and learned how to love and trust another man wholeheartedly.
I am not only a survivor, but thriving in a world full of commercialism and materialism. I love the natural, the simple and relish in the brilliance of each day we have here.
I love the person I am. You can love the person you are, too.