Child hood fear and isolation

I remember my childhood as representing fear and isolation.  No one knew of my difficulties, not being able to communicate, having a speech impediment, difficulty using my palate to drink and pronounce words, speak clear sounds, learning to communicate was a constant struggle.   I faced fear, self-anger and isolation most days.  Not even my mum’s soft skirt that I hid behind, seeking comfort could bring me peace.

Primary School years

Growing up as a triplet was fun, those moments of being in a magical world of make believe where the three of us would share funny stories as a way comforting ourselves when there was fighting in the house.  We would play dress ups to share our fun and silly stories with our parents.

Other times, I was full of tantrums, as my sisters would lock me a room all by myself until the tantrum ceased, the tantrum represented being left out, no one listening to me, fear and isolation.  I couldn’t participate in the games fully as I felt limited by my speech challenges.   Love that only comes from sisters enabled me to feel supported at school.  Bullying was normal as I was different, with my speech impediment, the course of action by teachers was to isolate me from my sisters. I was always in a separate class to them. The teachers thought this would build courage strength and diversity, it only made me feel more isolated and unworthy.

My sisters came to my rescue often, telling bullies off and even fighting in the school yard for me.

Mum's recovery and me

During the times mum was managing her mental health issues well, she often as therapy went out to help assist others less fortunate than her. I remember going to people’s houses where there were disabled children and the physical activities mum assisted and participated in.  This made me happy and I too wanted to help less fortunate people as this made my mum happy.

Home life and teenage years

You would think life would get easier as I grew into a vibrant teen. It was even harder to communicate, school work was a drudgery, challenging and painful at times. I couldn’t write my thoughts down on paper the way I wanted it to flow, there was a isconnect between my head, speaking and writing.  My sisters did well at sport, I just wanted to hide most of the time. My main focus was on finding ways to fit in, so I didn’t feel the pain of my difference as much.  My achievement was to get through college and I was very proud to finish year 12. The challenges continued as I ventured upon the dating scene and I remember being asked to leave a night club on a few occasions, not even getting passed the front door sometimes. They thought I was drunk, when in fact it was just me communicating my way. My speech challenges were a constant source of pain and frustration.

Working brought me solace.

I worked in nursing or homes for the disabled as an allied health instructor with physios and nurses. Assisting kids with down syndrome, young adults, the elderly, stroke victims, and patients with many chronic diseases.

I felt a familiarity with them a oneness, I loved them as I too had experienced the same isolation fear and challenges. I understood what they felt.  Throughout all my struggles, challenges, somewhere deep down was a space for passion, commitment and helping others do well, feel well.  I loved my job and worked to help ease the pain of those less fortunate than me.

Working gave me a new-found confidence, I decided I needed to upskill and I loved sport like my sisters and found amazing teachers who believed in me and assisted me to become a personal trainer and then a Pilate’s instructor. From here it was dedication, passion and delivering my new skills to all those who wanted to be fit well and happy. I worked in many gyms teaching water aerobics, land aerobics and started up my own business Strong and Vital at a home service.  I watched as many of my clients transformed their lack of fitness and self-worth into peak performing joyful spirits.  

Later years

I wanted to expand my passions, my abilities, my capacities, my greatest inspiration was my grandma Joy Richardson, who start her charity work at work looking after stray cats and dog. To overcome social pressure and do what she needed and build a wonderful charity the Animal welfare League, headed up in South Australia in 1956, to become the inspiration of the RSPCA.

From all my experiences in life, I was gaining wisdom the clarity to have the courage to pursue more in life, help more people and help myself. I have formed a charity called strength & vitality to support people in health crises. I have overcome my most challenging fear talking in public and now co-host and host my own show pay it forward, on 3MDR to spread my passion of paying it forward,