“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever"

From a young age, I have been deeply passionate about supporting children and families. Helping others has always been a core value in my life, and it remains my lifelong dream to give back in the same way I was fortunate to receive support and encouragement growing up.

I spent many days, months and over the years in and out of hospitals, with multiple check up’s, blood tests, scans, imaging etc. I was always the youngest person to be admitted with older people.

I was raised in a loving and stable home where my parents nurtured my individuality and instilled values of self-acceptance, respect, gratitude, and perseverance. Their unwavering support helped me develop the confidence to embrace who I am, even during times when I struggled to fit in.

Living with (Heart Failure) and Type 1 Diabetes presented an array of unique challenges, at such a young age. Despite my auto – immune conditions, they do not define me. Instead, they have strengthened my ability to live with purpose, passion and advocate for others navigating their own challenges.

Like many, I faced periods of self-doubt and difficulty fitting in. I wasn’t always confident or outgoing, and for a long time, I struggled with believing in my own self-worth. But over time, I learned a transformative lesson: the most important opinion about myself; is my own. This journey of self-discovery has empowered me to shift my focus toward growth, authenticity, and connection.

More recently, heart failure led my life of what I could and couldn’t do. Fitting in with others was simply out of the question for someone my age. The struggle to breath, the exhaustion from everyday tasks became both frustrating and very difficult. I had pre-testing for heart transplant work up and 4 years later, I had a heart transplant. I want to thank my donor and my donor family for giving me the gift of life to continue my dream to support others.

Due to my counselling studies; my positive mindset, and my own sheer self determination to make it through, I can happily say. I can now fit in with others and enjoy life. For more information about my heart transplant journey and life; keep an eye on my socials for when I release my book.

I have been passionate about supporting children and families since I was in high school and it has been a lifelong dream to help others. I have always wanted to give something back given how fortunate I am to have a stable and secure upbringing from both my parents. Both parents have allowed me to find myself and be an individual and that’s okay if you don’t always fit in with others. I have been taught right from wrong and to respect and thank others where required during my childhood. I have been encouraged to always do the best I can and not to let my health affect my abilities to just be me. (Self Acceptance) I have never been a social butterfly and have always struggled with fitting in with others and having and believing in my own self confidence this has slowly changed as I have grown older. I have learnt to think less of what others think of me and worry more about what I think of me and what I can achieve despite what others may think of me.

About Me – Jessica

Hello, I’m Jessica! I'm in my early forties and have been lucky to call the beautiful Sunshine Coast home my entire life. As a child, I often found it hard to fit in and spent a lot of time in my own company. I was naturally shy and reserved, which made navigating some early life experiences particularly challenging.

Shortly after birth, I was diagnosed with Dilated Cardiomyopathy (Heart Failure), a condition that weakens the heart muscle and causes severe fatigue, among other symptoms. Then, at 17, I was diagnosed with Insulin-Dependent Type 1 Diabetes, which meant injecting 4 needles a day. These health conditions taught me some of life’s most important lessons early on: the value of resilience, the importance of self-care, and the understanding that a diagnosis doesn’t define who I am.

There were certainly moments when I wished I could be “normal” like everyone else. But thanks to my incredibly supportive parents, I learned to focus on what I could do rather than what I couldn’t. They helped me believe in myself and encouraged me to follow my dreams, even when the path wasn’t clear.

I wasn’t an academic standout growing up—my school grades were average, and while many of my peers moved directly into university, I often found myself wondering, “Why me?” But through personal trials, challenging relationships, and years of self-reflection, I slowly uncovered what truly mattered to me. That journey of self-discovery eventually led me to pursue a long-held dream: becoming a children’s Counsellor. More than 15 years after finishing school, I made that dream a reality.

Before becoming a counsellor, I worked for many years as a Diversional Therapist and Lifestyle Assistant in the Aged Care and Disability sectors. These roles deepened my capacity for active listening, empathy, patience, and providing compassionate, non-judgmental support. I learned the power of being truly present for someone during their most vulnerable moments—and how meaningful it is to walk beside others as they navigate their own challenges.

In 2018, I married the love of my life—someone I found by accident, but who turned out to be everything I needed. Together, we take life one day at a time, supporting each other through every high and low.

I’m passionate about creating a safe, nurturing space for others to explore their own paths toward healing, growth, and self-acceptance—because I know first hand how transformative that support can be.