My Life Lately: A Deep Dive into the Highs, Lows, and Everyday Moments
Life never really slows down, does it? Over the past months, my world has been filled with everything from moments of joy to real challenges that have tested my patience and resilience. This blog is my way of putting it all down—reflecting on family, health, work, my social life, and even the things that keep me up at night (hello, bank issues). Grab a coffee or a tea—this one’s a long read.
Family: Love, Strength, and Challenges
Family is at the heart of everything I do. Mum’s journey has been the hardest—her cancer has come back, and while it isn’t curable, it is treatable. Watching her go through injections, appointments, and the daily ups and downs has been tough, but I’m inspired by her strength. I’ve been with her at the Mater Hospital for oncology check-ups and treatments, supporting her as best I can.
Dad and my sister Claire have been my anchors too. We may not always have the words for what we’re feeling, but we show up for each other. My cousin Jacqui Gasper has also been a huge part of my support network. Living in Brisbane, she often checks in on me and even looked after me when Mum was hospitalised for 10 weeks earlier this year. Those bonds mean more than I can say.
Health: A Team Effort
My own health is something I work hard to manage. Living with arthritis in my T12, DISH (Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis), shoulder and neck issues, and plantar fasciitis means I can’t take mobility for granted. That’s where my health team comes in.
Physiotherapy: George Campbell at Active Care, give me good techniques and perspectives. I’ve also been seeing Isaiah Snell at Active Care since 2023. Together, they’re helping me manage pain and stay mobile.
Psychology: With Jodi Ord from Maxwell and Moore, I’ve been working through stress, anxiety, and the mental toll of health and family challenges. She’s shown me ways to release tension and even explained how our brains hold onto memories of pain and stress.
Occupational Therapy: Katrina Scott from Adaptability Therapy supports me in building independence and making daily life easier.
Speech Therapy: Emma West from Adaptability Therapy is helping me with communication goals.
General Practice: Dr. Julie Hall and Dr. Eimear O’Brian at Whites Hill Family Medical are my go-to GPs. They’re across all the moving parts of my health and coordinate the big picture.
Chiropractic: Jake Mead at Cleveland Chiropractor keeps my spinal health in check.
Podiatry: I see Aaron Anger and sometimes Cooper Redhead at Active Care. They help keep my feet (literally) on track.
It’s a big team, but it shows how much work goes into keeping my health on track. And honestly? I’m proud of myself for sticking with it.
Work: Routine and Purpose
I’m still working as a sales assistant at a fruit and vegetable shop. It may not be glamorous, but it gives me routine, structure, and pride in putting in a good day’s work. Early mornings, long hours on my feet, helping customers, stocking fresh produce—these are the simple rhythms that keep me grounded.
Sometimes, after work, I’m exhausted, but I remind myself that contributing to the community and earning my income is something to be proud of.
The Bank Saga: Stress and Frustration
This is where the stress really builds. My Bank of Queensland (BOQ) accounts were compromised after suspicious transactions. Scammers managed to make transfers, and since then, my accounts have been locked. The bank’s response? “It could take more than 28 days.”
Not having access to your own money—money you’ve worked for—is beyond frustrating. I rely on those funds for rent, bills, food, and basic living. Amanda Watt, the branch manager at BOQ Capalaba, has been nothing short of amazing. She’s gone to bat for me, escalating issues to the state manager and pushing for answers. The reception team there have been kind and supportive too. But no matter how hard they try, the process is slow, and that leaves me anxious.
The waiting game has tested my patience and mental health. Some days I feel okay, but other days the stress builds to the point where I just want to scream. Writing about it helps me release some of that pressure.
Friends, Social Life, and Community
I’m lucky to have good people around me. My best friend, Mandy Prout, has been there through thick and thin. She’s the kind of friend who listens without judgement and always knows how to lift my mood.
I’ve also been connecting with real estate agents around Brisbane as I save for my future home. Meeting Nyree Ewings and her team was a highlight—I even got a photo with her! Collecting business cards and making contacts has become a fun part of exploring that dream.
Catching up with Jacqui for coffee, hanging with support workers, and going out to Apple events all give me a sense of belonging. Social connections are just as important to me as medical ones.
Hobbies: The Things That Keep Me Smiling
Apple Products: Collecting Apple gear is one of my passions. Whether it’s pre-ordering the latest iPhone or attending Apple Store workshops, it keeps me excited and connected.
Photography: Capturing little moments—family, nature, community events—reminds me to notice beauty in the everyday.
Cooking: From smoothie bowls to experimenting with new recipes, cooking is both creative and calming.
Blogging: My “Coffee with Luke” series is a way to share stories and reflect on my journey. Writing these long blogs also helps me process everything.
Mental Health: Being Honest with Myself
I’ve learned to be upfront about my mental health. I live with stress, anxiety, and an intellectual disability. That doesn’t define me, but it does shape my experience. Sometimes I need to step back and take time for myself. Other times I lean on my psychologist Jodi or my support workers for guidance.
Sharing my mental health journey openly has also been part of my advocacy work. I want people to know that it’s okay to struggle—and it’s okay to ask for help.
Looking Ahead: Goals and Gratitude
Even with the struggles, I have goals that keep me motivated:
Save for my first home.
Continue building my support team and keeping my health stable.
Grow my blog and share more about my experiences.
Keep enjoying the little joys—coffee catch-ups, family lunches, exploring Brisbane, and going on day trips.
Most importantly, I’m grateful. Grateful for my family, my friends, my health team, and the people in the community who look out for me. Life isn’t easy, but it is worth living—and worth sharing.
Final Thoughts
This season of my life has been about resilience. Balancing health challenges, family responsibilities, work, financial stress, and still finding time for joy isn’t easy. But I’ve learned that it’s the combination of support, routine, hobbies, and gratitude that helps me push forward.
Thanks for reading. Writing this has reminded me how much I’ve been through and how much I’ve achieved—even on the hard days.
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