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The month kicked off with a Living Books talk at Wollongong High School. An excellent morning spent chatting with a great group of kids!!! I organised a few pre-recorded interviews for Ability Matters and filled in on the Saturday 10am – 12pm slot on Vox FM.

It was an exciting middle of the month with the 2^nd edition of my book (Shit, I’m 26 and had a Stroke) finalised and printed with a revamped colour scheme on the cover. Majority of the month was spent focusing on my role at Flagstaff Group as Project Officer on the new We Belong program.

After a scary end to June with my first seizure ever, I spent the start of the month resting and recharging energy levels. I participated in the last of the Naure Based Rehabilitation After Stroke Workshops which was really interesting to see differing perspectives depending on the background and experiences. There were a few administration tasks and I was also excited to start my new role as Project Officer on the new Flagstaff Group’s program. We Belong encourages community organisations to provide a welcoming environment for people with a disability in groups and activities. Capacity building and confidence for our participants is also a vital component of the program. Flagstaff will develop tools and resources to benefit both parties and promotes social inclusion.

There were great pre-recorded and studio interviews on Ability Matters at Vox FM and I am excited to have another batch of printing underway for my book Shit… I’m 26 and had a Stroke!!! Towards the end of the month, I went for EEG to read my brainwaves before seeing a Neurologist to be cleared for epilepsy and return to driving. I participated in consumer feedback on the Stroke Foundations Stroke Strategy which my contributions felt valued.

The month began with an exciting invitation to speak at the Ipsen Care to know more week in their Melbourne office, an absolute honour to share my story and assist with a brainstorming session. Each week, I co-hosted Ability Matters with Tony and caught up with our Co-host Alan to hear how his medical problems are going, The Cram Foundation Men’s Group and Flagstaff CEO Rod. The last week of the month our Program Sponsor, Sean jumped in to cover for me while I attended Living Books at Figtree High School.

An excellent morning towards the end of the month had by both the students and our speakers, loved engaging with the various groups to share my experience and perspectives. I had my last 2 fill in presenter gigs for the Irish Program and loved my fill in on the German Program at Vox FM. The end of the month saw me travel to Melbourne for my presentation and afternoon at Ipsen, thank you the team for making me feel so welcome!!!

What an amazing month May turned out to be!!! An enormous thank you to my husband John for driving down to Melbourne and back to attend the 2024 Stroke Awards!!! It was well worth the journey as I received the Courage Award, a national award I am honoured to have been chosen!!! ABC Illawarra radio had me on their Wednesday Illawarra Breakfast program at 7:30am with Melinda James, great to have a chat and meet Melinda.

Around the middle of the month, I attended Five Islands College with Living Books. An excellent group of students and very friendly staff!!! Another great month of guests on Ability Matters – look us up on Utube or Spotify to hear some awesome interviews. Attended Berkeley Neighbourhood Centre’s Biggest Morning Tea which had a beautiful spread of delicious food, gigantic thank you to all the volunteers that worked tirelessly to prepare everything!!! Finished of the month with participation in the Stroke Research for Nature based Design Workshop, massive thanks to Louisa for organising a space for us at UOW.

After receiving the exciting news that a was a finalist for the Courage Award at the 2024 Stroke Awards, I was elated!!! Majority of the month was taken up with preparations for accommodation, sending through a Bio and Picture to go in the Booklet at the ceremony and general excitement as the time grew close to head down to Melbourne where the Head Office and Awards were held. A massive thank you to Nicky (CEO) at Community Industry Group, Lilian (President) at Vox FM and my husband John for the nominations, much appreciated!!!

Since January 2024, I have been assisting Nick on his campaign to provide access into Beverley Whitfield Pool at Shellharbour. Using my previous knowledge with Unanderra Train Station, I have been supporting him in his advocacy to Shellharbour Council for this very important inclusion to a public facility. I participated in Consumer Feedback on the ASSET Stroke Project and organised the guests to interview on the weekly Ability Matters program on Vox FM and filled in as Program Presenter for a colleague as he was unwell.

Rounded out the month attending a staff training day at Edmond Rice College with Living Books. Format was a little different speaking with the teachers instead of students although I enjoyed it thoroughly and had a great morning talking with a wonderful group of people!!!

I kicked off the month of March with assistance to Vox FM on their Cadbury chocolate fundraiser, selling both in the community and on my Altered Abilities market stall at Warrawong Markets on Saturdays. Each Saturday, Altered Abilities holds a stall at the Warrawong Markets to raise awareness in the community and provide people an opportunity to purchase my book…. Shit!!  I’m 26 and had a Stroke, my personal experience on the challenges, emotions and dealing with long term hospitalisation.

Continuation of my weekly co-host role on Ability Matters took place each Tuesday with Tony and Alan – awesome team talking about services available for the community to connect with and a great selection of music make a wonderful program. I had the pleasure of a fill in presenter 3 times in the month with regular hosts unable to make it for their usual programs – a massive THANK YOU to VOX FM for their confidence in my ability and support to present!!!

The Stroke Foundation put out the call for participation in a review of their Stroke Strategy as well as input into the current Diet after Stroke factsheet. I felt valued for my feedback and contribution with a great group of people that each brought their own special insights to the conversation.

Late in the month the first Living Books for 2024 took place at Elenora Montessori School. I really enjoyed chatting with the wonderful young students for the morning and catching up with team at Wollongong City Council at lunch afterwards. An excellent way to wrap up the month before the Easter Long Weekend.