Standing in solidarity with Orlando

It is in times like these that we know and/or learn how powerful the unpredictable cycle to life can be, and that life can sometimes change in a split second, my heart goes out to all those affected by the latest shooting in America, my thoughts and prayers go out to you. Also, remember that you are strong.

To all my family and friends (Facebook or not), I love you all, and my messages are simple, don't (or at least try not to) take anything or anyone for granted, always tell your loved ones how much they mean to you and how you love them (even if you feel the need to express it by giving them the longest-lasting hugs or drown their cheeks with kisses, just do it without ever looking back) because human life and human survival are two of the most precious things you can count on, and once pain and adversity enter that scope, then overcoming it can be a challenge in and of itself, so if you see someone and/or hear of anyone going through any difficulty whatsoever please respect their journey instead of judging it, offer them a kind, heartfelt and acknowledging smile, and kindly offer to help them in any way you possibly can, because sometimes the tiniest of things can make the world of difference to everyone (including those who need it most).

(Photo courtesy of Facebook)

Never judge homelessness

Did you know that before being a radio announcer, Kyle Sandilands experienced homelessness in his mid teens? You can read all about his journey in his book Scandalands.

On June 22, 2016, I was in Chatswood Westfield and I met a homeless man and I learnt 2 very important lessons from him: firstly and contrary to what you might think, there are no one-size-fits-all circumstances to homelessness, and secondly; that I shouldn’t take when people stare at me in my wheelchair so personally, because at least some people kindly come up and speak to me, whereas a homeless person has to rely on fate most of the time in order to be spoken to, or desperately yearn for kind-hearted human contact with others.

I now fully understand what the purpose of all these humanitarian videos on Facebook of people going undercover pretending to be homeless is: to answer the frequent question of, if you saw someone struggling in some way and/or desperately needing help, would you stop to help them? I definitely can say that I certainly would.

If you ever see a homeless person, please respect their journey instead of judging it, offer them a kind, heartfelt and acknowledging smile, and kindly offer to help them in any way you possibly can (even just with a hug or a friendly small chat).

Meeting Gina Liano

I’m sure anyone who knows me will tell you that I can sometimes be Little Ms. Chatterbox because I love meeting new people and learning new things from them.

I have met different people from all different walks of life and I can tell you that each person has a story.

For the past 10 years, I have also been really lucky to have met so many celebrities on my various social outings, and the same principle applies there.

Celebrities are just like us, they’re, first and foremost, and human beings with their own lives to live and lead and face life hardships just as equally as the rest of us do.

Gina Liano is one celebrity who always divides opinions: some are captivated by her TV presence, while others admire her for her fiercely outspoken personality.

But, did you also know that this single mum-of-two was diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 36 years old? And was only given a 34% chance of surviving it, but in true Gina-style fought the good fight and defied all odds and made it through and has now been in remission from it for the past 13 years.

I feel really lucky to have met her at her perfume launch in April 2016 and I can tell you, that she is full of heart, so warm and so down to earth. I loved her.

Bowel cancer awareness month

Whether you’re a man or woman, young or old, it’s important for you to get to know your body (including the parts of it that are rarely spoken about) because cancer doesn’t discriminate in terms of where it hits. We all need to come together and scrap the shame and stigma around below-the-belt cancers and talk about them more openly and help others to communicatively do the same.

To mark June as being bowel cancer awareness month in Australia, I’d like to thank the following celebrities: Erin Molan, Gina Liano, George Calombaris and Ita Buttrose for lending their name to help us better understand this disease.

In honour of those lost to the disease, we love and miss you very much but wholeheartedly know you’re in a better place and are blessed. We know that we can still talk to you and connect with you through our prayers, pictures and our fondest memories of you.  

In honour of those in remission from it, we celebrate with you and ask that you pay it forward and help others by becoming pre-and-post cancer support companions; by sharing your experiences with it and all the wisdom that you’ve learnt throughout your journey.

In honour of those newly diagnosed with the disease, we promise to do everything in our power to help you through this and eradicate the stigma attached to all the below-the-belt cancers. Don’t let cancer shame you of loving your body. One’s cancer journey can feel so overwhelming when the bad days of treatment kick in, so it’s good to think of who else you’re fighting to survive for and/or always give yourself something that you wholeheartedly feel is worthwhile to look forward to and draw motivational strength from. Always remember that you’re stronger than you think, and know that something as menacing as cancer doesn’t have the mental power to control, beat and/or consume you, unless you let it.

If you have a family history of bowel cancer, then you should start getting tested when you reach the age of 40 or earlier. If not, then you should start getting tested at the age of 50 by asking your doctor for the bowel-screening test kit as soon as possible, because early detection can and will save lives.

At your discretion, please give generously to Bowel Cancer Australia this June on https://www.bowelcanceraustralia.org/donate .