Hi, I'm Melissa

I would like to welcome you to Chronically Inspired - Life.Beyond.Disability.   

I have been living, dying, and surviving for over twelve years now with pulmonary hypertension. It is a chronic progressive disease and has no cure. As part of my new normal I live with oxygen therapy and life saving medication that is administered through a continuous IV that goes directly into my heart. In 2008 my entire world changed when after three years of being ill, I was in ICU on the edge of dying and was given my diagnosis.  It’s been a journey peppered with further trauma and challenges, but also one of deep wisdom, strength, and resilience.

The life that I knew began to slip away as I now had to navigate living with a chronic illness and try to adjust and process that this would be my new normal. It was very challenging, isolating and really scary at times. There was no local support group, no one I could talk to about having this illness. I longed for connection with others who had walked this path, to learn from them and see what might be ahead for me.

As I couldn’t find a group I educated myself on self help and support groups. I really wanted to make a difference to others, so their journey would be easier to navigate than mine had been. So I began to study gaining new skills and qualifications and armed with this new knowledge and awareness I established my own support group. Over the years we grew to a network, and eventually a non-profit charity. We were very successful and gave people with this illness the connection, companionship, information and resources that I had once looked for. We helped thousands of people even breaking ground with awards for patient resources and innovation over the years.

I ran the group for over ten years and  I gave it my all, and then some! I loved the journey and the amazing people I worked with and helped, even though there were some really tough times with my health and my life.  In 2018 another near death experience hit me and I suffered a huge trauma which resulted in being diagnosed with PTSD. Now I had something else new and scary to work with, a mental health condition!  This shift in my health created a new direction for me and in 2020 as the global pandemic shook the world to it's core, everything had to be reconsidered and I had to reflect on how I could serve in other ways and take the time I needed for balance and self care. A whole new way of life began for me, one I am so grateful for!  

In 2020 my creative mind once again took action and I began to develop a new approach called "Chronically Inspired - Life.Beyond.Disability". The support group began to emerge in a new innovative way and I continued to do my part to improve the lives of people living with chronic illness and disability. My beautiful group members supported me as we regrouped and connected through an inspiring seasonal magazine, "HoneyBee", which gives a voice to those with chronic illness and disability directly, and from writers with a lived experience. We could still connect while sharing knowledge, resources & information, but in a more exciting format.  Members became subscribers, we scaled back the face to face commitments and began a new journey of sharing, connecting and learning.  I started a social support group called "The TasteBuds Club", where we socialise and gather together for fellowship, and plan to start adding lifestyle video's showcasing the amazing work and achievements in our community, based around those living with, or supporting those who are chronically ill and disabled. 

I have completed further education and training to become a mental health educator, and have also begun working with young people living with intellectual disability. I network with some new and amazing people and we are growing and diversifying in a beautiful way.  

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Please look around, subscribe to the magazine and e-news and come back often. If you live in WA please join us at one of our luncheons, everyone is welcome at my table.  For more about my story please click .  Love and blessings always Melissa x (Honeybee)

HoneyBee LifeStyle Magazine

A seasonal lifestyle magazine written especially for people with chronic illness, disability, mental health challenges, and so much more.  For you, your carers, family and friends..

Everyone needs some quiet time out to enjoy a moment alone reconnecting with themselves.

Reading the stories in my lifestyle magazine helps you do exactly that.

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With something for everyone, from inspiration & laughter, to thought provoking and life changing, and all written by contributors with a lived experience, who understand the challenges of living with chronic illness and disability. 

Let me share these stories with you and help you to make a difference in your life. Share your own story with me and allow me to highlight you in a future edition of our magazine to promote the inspirational and amazing person or organisation you are! 

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Become a regular contributor of the magazine and write for our readers regularly, or advertise with us and share your product or service (coming soon). 

"Quiet Time - Relax, Reflect & Grow"

"What's Your Mood"" - Quarterly E-News

""Always be a work in progress and live a life of intention.""

Connect to your community with the quarterly electronic edition of my Enewsletter - What's Your Mood.

Stay up to date with all the latest chronic illness, mental health, and disability articles, as well as some great human interest and educational information.

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Explore the links provided to other great publications you can subscribe to, and enjoy the little extra's that make this publication a happy little nugget to keep you in the loop without overwhelming you. 

"Gather Together""

Join in with our Social Support Group today

 'TasteBuds Club W.A'

Food & Nourishment for the mind, body and soul

Since the arrival of the Corona-virus Pandemic many things have had to change. We have moved online for the most part, which has prevented those face-to-face outings and meetups. I for one missed those very much. In WA we are fortunate to date that we can meet again in person, so I have come up with a new concept called "Gather Together - TasteBuds Club", a support group with a difference!  

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To date we meet every 8 weeks at a tavern with great parking and disabled facilities, an affordable menu and a comfortable safe environment. You, your family and friends are all welcome to join in on our supportive and fun luncheons. Everyone is welcome at my table. Email me today and be added to the mailing list for invitations. 

Testimonials

Acknowledgement to Country: Chronically Inspired would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia's First People and Traditional Custodians.  We value their culture, identities, and continuing connection to country, waters, kin and community. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present, and are committed to making a positive contribution to the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, by working on providing services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.  We are committed to embracing diversity and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of health services. We welcome all people irrespective of ethnicity, lifestyle choice, faith, sexual orientation and gender identity. 

DISCLAIMER: The information provided on the Chronically Inspired website is provided for general information only. It is not intended as legal, medical or other professional advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultations with qualified medical professionals who are familiar with your individual needs. We do not endorse or recommend any commercial products or services. We provide information only with responsibility being on the part of the user. We do not accept any responsibility for any websites advertised if the user incurs spam/virus or other. All our information is shared in good faith and without prejudice.  

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