Raising women with disabilities up through shared stories
When Claire Middleton’s two teenage girls contracted anorexia, Claire embarked on a battle to not only save her family from the perils of this mental illness, but also to help thousands of others grappling with eating disorders. She founded The Butterfly Foundation which has gone onto raise awareness and transform care for people battling such conditions. In doing so, Claire has saved scores of young lives.
Linda Buller has dedicated the past 20 years of her life to saving Bali’s abused street dogs. As a survivor of abuse herself, she is awed by the dogs’ capacity for recovery – at the way they can forgive humans for abuse, and remain open to healing and love.
Through the Refugee Yoga Project, Australian woman Danielle Begg is bringing longed-for moments of peace and calm to refugees grappling with the trauma of fleeing their troubled homelands.
A Perth woman’s desire to help the desperately poor has saved and transformed hundreds of lives in Cambodia. Samille Mitchell reports.
Western Australia’s Young Australian of the Year for 2014 John van Bockxmeer has started three successful charities, volunteered internationally and won an impressive list of awards. Oh yes, and he manages to fit in a job as an emergency department registrar too. Samille Mitchell has a chat with John about his major charity Fair Game, and is amazed at his motivation, his depth of feeling for healthy communities, and his incredible ability to fit so much into an already over-worked doctor’s schedule.
This Aussie lad launched a non-profit, Dreamfit, to fulfil the dreams of people with a disability. Dreamfit transforms mechanical equipment such a motorbikes and bicycles so people with varying levels of physical ability can experience the thrill of action once more. In the process Darren has captured the hearts of many for his innovative mind, caring nature and can-do attitude.
Australian of the Year for the Northern Territory Will MacGregor has helped thousands of troubled Aboriginal youths to overcome drug addiction and find a new hope for life through Bush Mob, which offers a safe house, horse healing program and escorted bush getaways. He says it’s incredible to witness the transformations that occur when these people take a break from their everyday lives, connect with their elders and heal with the magic of nature.
‘Gangsta Gardener’ Ron Finley is leading a movement in which people across the globe are transforming abandoned blocks, roadside verges and unloved pieces of vacant dirt into vegetable patches and gardens. The craze is not only beautifying forgotten areas but bringing people together, providing fresh food in areas dominated by fast food and reminding people that they have the power to shape their own future.
Wellness and growth blogger Lori Deschene reveals how she transformed from a depressed bulimic on a path to self-destruction to someone who attracts more than two million fans a month to her website Tiny Buddha.
One-time farm girl Wendy Watters is introducing modern-day women to the ancient practice of women’s circles. In doing so she is helping women embrace their femininity, savour beauty, slow down, show authenticity, and reconnect. But how did this practical girl from the bush find answers in such a mystery-shrouded practice?
Perth man Leif Cocks has dedicated his life to saving the orangutan through his not-for-profit charity The Orangutan Project. The battle has plunged him to the depths of despair as he has borne witness to the atrocities orangutans face. But it has also filled him with awe and delight for a creature with an enormous capacity for love.
It’s estimated that one third of all the world’s food goes to waste. But one woman is determined to change that. Through her charity OzHarvest Ronni Kahn is rescuing good food destined for the rubbish heap and providing it to the disadvantaged. In the process she is not only saving food, but lives.