Balancing a New Career & Unpaid Care while Navigating Stay-At-Home Restrictions with Leonie Mulgrew
Leonie Mulgrew married her husband Shane nearly 36 years ago. They built a life together, with Leonie working as a beauty therapist at Myer and Shane running his business. In 2021, Shane was diagnosed with stage four melanoma after a misdiagnosis. This critical moment changed their lives, leading to an extensive, 15-hour surgery and significant […]
A Mother’s Care and Love for a Child with Down Syndrome with Deb McNair
Deb manages each day’s start with Ella’s varying capabilities. From making breakfast to struggling to rise, her mornings are governed by Ella’s unpredictable moods and behaviours. Deb’s husband Dave, provides crucial flexible support, enabling the family to handle challenging days. Together, they prioritise self-care and navigate the complexities of their caregiving responsibilities. Strategically planning family […]
Transformation after Generational Trauma, Abuse and Addiction is possible with Alex Brandt
Alex’s parents were displaced WWII refugees from Europe, eventually moving to Australia where Alex was born in the 1960s. She faced cultural and language barriers growing up. Because she started school at eight and a half, Alex missed the early formative years. She attended irregularly, faced integration challenges, and was labelled as a slow learner. […]
Caring for a Partner with Dementia and for Yourself with Joe Coppi
An active IT consultant and community volunteer, Joe first noticed his wife Joyce’s memory lapses during an overseas trip. Seeking medical advice, their journey with early-onset dementia began. Seeing Joyce’s desire for a move, Joe transitioned them from Greenwood East to Geelong. Downsizing made life simpler, providing easy access to essential services and a senior-friendly […]
A Generous Life of Advocacy and Community for Men’s Mental Health with Filipe Gama e Silva
Raised in Brisbane, Filipe’s parents immigrated to Australia from Portugal, driven by the allure of “Skippy the Bush Kangaroo,” grounding his understanding of belonging and community from an early age. Filipe’s family, especially his mother, supported him through his dyslexia, teaching him resilience and fostering his self-confidence despite academic challenges. At 17, a formative trip […]
Loss & Healing through Music, and “Keeping it Simple, Sovereign” with Bob Eden
Born in the UK in 1952, Bob’s early life was tough. He was premature, had a volatile relationship with his mother and was often bullied at school, he shares these formative experiences. He began as an engineering apprentice but found his true calling in music. Bob played music on boats during pub nights, entertaining the […]
Working through ADHD, Psychotherapy, and Finding your Power with Gina McClement | Kintsugi Heroes
Gina McClement has a story of resilience and her dedication to healing and helping others. She grew up in a structured, education-centric environment, which fostered critical thinking, but as a child, she experienced a high conflict separation between her parents. Despite a privileged education, Gina grew up with undiagnosed ADHD not receiving a diagnosis until […]
Navigating Loss and Adversity Through Family, Farming, and Male Bonding with Wes Bending
After retiring from rugby, Wes Bending purchased a farm in Bunya in 2006, fulfilling his father’s dying wish to retire in the countryside. His father, terminally ill with cancer, passed away the day after the purchase. This period marked the beginning of Wes’s journey into farming and a rural lifestyle. In memory of his brother […]
Clinical Depression, Diagnosis and Advocating for Struggling Men with Wayne Wigham | Kintsugi Heroes
Wayne’s early years were filled with rugby union and league, providing him companionship and a mental outlet. Despite personal struggles with depression, sports helped him cope. From a young age, Wayne faced debilitating depression, navigating periods of despair unseen by others. Misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment marked his early experiences with mental health systems but did […]
Courage, Compassion and Commitment to a Better World with Jetha Devapura
Born in Sri Lanka with limited career options, Jetha’s perfectionist tendencies and cultural isolation triggered mental health challenges early on. His parents’ courageous move to Australia provided new opportunities but also difficulties adapting. Jetha battled obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety in silence for years, with the conditions significantly impacting his life. He felt shame about the […]