My Son Leigh
Biography
Don’t call me Mother
LUPUS
I didn’t have time to be a moody, sullen or ungrateful teenager. I had skipped that station. I was fast-tracked to a place where having perspective and wisdom were needed if I was to join this army of chemical warfare and be at peace with the uncontrollable changes that had happened to me … I was lucky because for the first time since I had become unwell, I was able to take medication that was trying to save my life. I didn’t want to let my army down. And so, my new life as a Lupus Warrior had truly begun.”
In 1989, inexplicably, Rachel Lea went from being a quiet but energetic, conscientious and healthy fourteen-year-old girl to being incapacitated, bedridden and with severe chronic joint and muscle pains. Suffering from a mysterious, debilitating disease, her struggle to find solutions to her ailment was fraught with distress, misdiagnoses and experimental treatments.
Rachel chronicles her journey from the first appearance of symptoms to a confirmed lupus diagnosis, as well as her ability to adjust to life with an incurable, chronic disease as a teenager. With the loving support system of family that lifted her up, Rachel found hope and perspective in achieving her dream of becoming a secondary school teacher. Lupus = Lift Up, Persevere and Use Strength is a raw, moving and uplifting memoir – essential reading for Lupus Warriors, members of their support systems and for those who want to learn more about lupus and a Lupus Warrior’s fortitude in living life with courage, always trying to find the silver lining.
I didn’t have time to be a moody, sullen or ungrateful teenager. I had skipped that station. I was fast-tracked to a place where having perspective and wisdom were needed if I was to join this army of chemical warfare and be at peace with the uncontrollable changes that had happened to me … I was lucky because for the first time since I had become unwell, I was able to take medication that was trying to save my life. I didn’t want to let my army down. And so, my new life as a Lupus Warrior had truly begun.”
In 1989, inexplicably, Rachel Lea went from being a quiet but energetic, conscientious and healthy fourteen-year-old girl to being incapacitated, bedridden and with severe chronic joint and muscle pains. Suffering from a mysterious, debilitating disease, her struggle to find solutions to her ailment was fraught with distress, misdiagnoses and experimental treatments.
Rachel chronicles her journey from the first appearance of symptoms to a confirmed lupus diagnosis, as well as her ability to adjust to life with an incurable, chronic disease as a teenager. With the loving support system of family that lifted her up, Rachel found hope and perspective in achieving her dream of becoming a secondary school teacher. Lupus = Lift Up, Persevere and Use Strength is a raw, moving and uplifting memoir – essential reading for Lupus Warriors, members of their support systems and for those who want to learn more about lupus and a Lupus Warrior’s fortitude in living life with courage, always trying to find the silver lining.
To Cancer with Love
After her own diagnosis, Taryn Claire soon discovered that people craved an understanding and awareness into the nitty gritty details that come with a cancer sojourn. Everyone was curious and interested in what was happening behind closed doors.
She started a Facebook group to keep her close family and friends abreast of what was happening, and the group grew to include the support posse of others traversing the cancer countryside, seeking information for how to best support their loved ones.
One in eight women in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer and yet it’s barely talked about in a frank and direct way. Statistically, someone near and dear to you will go through cancer in some capacity at some point in time, and you will find yourself at the coalface.
Taryn Claire gives permission to be a voyeur into her voyage, through a series of diary entries that sparkle with humour, warmth and honesty.
After her own diagnosis, Taryn Claire soon discovered that people craved an understanding and awareness into the nitty gritty details that come with a cancer sojourn. Everyone was curious and interested in what was happening behind closed doors.
She started a Facebook group to keep her close family and friends abreast of what was happening, and the group grew to include the support posse of others traversing the cancer countryside, seeking information for how to best support their loved ones.
One in eight women in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer and yet it’s barely talked about in a frank and direct way. Statistically, someone near and dear to you will go through cancer in some capacity at some point in time, and you will find yourself at the coalface.
Taryn Claire gives permission to be a voyeur into her voyage, through a series of diary entries that sparkle with humour, warmth and honesty.
Go my way
A story of cricket but not just of cricket. Death, politics, travels abroad, family, Christianity, heartbreak and triumph are all part of this story.
Life is full of ups and downs. There are plenty of both in this book.
A story of cricket but not just of cricket. Death, politics, travels abroad, family, Christianity, heartbreak and triumph are all part of this story.
Life is full of ups and downs. There are plenty of both in this book.
The Wye, Sep and Pat
A police woman’s song
‘Whose beat do I walk to? My own beautiful, honest, strong, whole beat. Much music, gratitude, and love have brought me to this point. It all started with “The Explosive Hits of 74”, and I unexpectedly found that record again some 36 years later.’
Pauline Hamill has come to a peaceful point in her life and would like to share that place with you. Walk with her through her story of life, love and policewoman-ship.
This book will resonate with anybody who feels unanchored in life, looking for peace and fulfilment.
‘Whose beat do I walk to? My own beautiful, honest, strong, whole beat. Much music, gratitude, and love have brought me to this point. It all started with “The Explosive Hits of 74”, and I unexpectedly found that record again some 36 years later.’
Pauline Hamill has come to a peaceful point in her life and would like to share that place with you. Walk with her through her story of life, love and policewoman-ship.
This book will resonate with anybody who feels unanchored in life, looking for peace and fulfilment.
All the days after
Local teacher Sue Gunningham waits impatiently for news of her
long-time partner Barry, who has been caught in the savage bushfires
on a day that that would later be known as ‘Black Saturday’.
‘It was still hot. The soft drink cans would have to be cooled before Barry could open them. I wished I had brought some ice in a little Esky to keep them cool.
Still, I had not realised it would all take this long. At least I had brought the drinks. I fleetingly wondered if I should have brought some food for Barry as well.
Up ahead of me I saw the police officer get out of his car.
Little does Sue realise that the loss of her partner is just the beginning of her own battle to not only find the strength to go on, but to cope with ongoing police interviews, disputes over legal entitlements, sessions with case workers and psychologists, and participation in a Royal Commission inquiry. On top of this Sue has to fight a frequently overwhelming bureaucracy in order to identify and keep Barry’s remains, and preserve the memory of their love.
Raw and compelling, this story of the aftermath of a natural disaster will resonate with anyone who has suffered through devastating grief and emerged on the other side.
‘I would like to congratulate Sue on not only her story and her courage, but the quality of her writing … This book should be required reading for everyone setting out to “help” those faced with the trauma of disaster, grief or other events which test people to their core.’
Dr Rob Gordon, clinical psychologist, and emergency and trauma consultant for over 20 years
Local teacher Sue Gunningham waits impatiently for news of her
long-time partner Barry, who has been caught in the savage bushfires
on a day that that would later be known as ‘Black Saturday’.
‘It was still hot. The soft drink cans would have to be cooled before Barry could open them. I wished I had brought some ice in a little Esky to keep them cool.
Still, I had not realised it would all take this long. At least I had brought the drinks. I fleetingly wondered if I should have brought some food for Barry as well.
Up ahead of me I saw the police officer get out of his car.
Little does Sue realise that the loss of her partner is just the beginning of her own battle to not only find the strength to go on, but to cope with ongoing police interviews, disputes over legal entitlements, sessions with case workers and psychologists, and participation in a Royal Commission inquiry. On top of this Sue has to fight a frequently overwhelming bureaucracy in order to identify and keep Barry’s remains, and preserve the memory of their love.
Raw and compelling, this story of the aftermath of a natural disaster will resonate with anyone who has suffered through devastating grief and emerged on the other side.
‘I would like to congratulate Sue on not only her story and her courage, but the quality of her writing … This book should be required reading for everyone setting out to “help” those faced with the trauma of disaster, grief or other events which test people to their core.’
Dr Rob Gordon, clinical psychologist, and emergency and trauma consultant for over 20 years