14/10/2026
In May this year, we found out our beautiful little boy has Batten disease. A rare, terminal childhood disease that is slowly taking away his abilities.
And I completely lost myself.
I fell into grief. Heavy, overwhelming grief. The kind where you look in the mirror and barely recognise the person looking back at you.
For months, I was just trying to get through each day.
But on the 31st of August, I made a decision.
I didn’t want to spend whatever precious time we have together feeling like I’d completely lost myself.
I wanted to be the best version of ME for my little boy. 🧡
And I truly believe that my energy matters. That the way I show up, the joy I bring into our home, the experiences we create and the way I choose to live can make a difference to the life we’re living together.
So I started making little changes.
I started running. Moving my body. Taking care of myself. Doing my hair. Getting dressed. Finding little reasons to feel good again.
And slowly, something started shifting.
Not our circumstances. Not the grief. That’s still there.
But ME.
I’m starting to feel stronger. Happier in myself. More confident. More present.
And for the first time in a long time, I’m starting to recognise the girl looking back at me.
I know I can’t control what happens next. But I can keep choosing how I show up for the life we have right now.
This isn’t really a before and after of how I look. It’s a before and after of me deciding I deserve to feel alive again, even while carrying grief.
And I’m so bloody proud of myself. 🥹🧡
