by Kerrie Atherton | Sep 29, 2024 | Family, Podcasts, Stories of Hope
In this emotional episode of Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, musician, writer, and advocate Janet Gardiner courageously shares her story of unimaginable loss. Three years ago, Janet’s daughter Sarah was found dead under suspicious circumstances. Although her death was officially ruled as suicide, Janet believes otherwise and continues to pursue justice for Sarah.
Through her grief, Janet founded I Matter, an initiative supporting women facing crisis situations such as domestic violence, addiction, and homelessness. Music has become both her healing force and her advocacy tool, allowing her to transform sorrow into songs that inspire others. She opens up about the last days of Sarah’s life, their shared struggles with addiction, and Sarah’s battles with homelessness and violence.
Janet emphasizes that while grief may never fully subside, it can be transformed into resilience and purpose. By channeling her pain into action, she ensures Sarah’s legacy continues to impact lives. Listeners will be touched by her honesty, strength, and unwavering determination to help others, proving that tragedy can spark powerful change.
Her story serves as a beacon for anyone experiencing grief, reminding us that love, music, and advocacy can bridge the gap between loss and hope.
by Kerrie Atherton | Sep 16, 2024 | Empower, Focus, Podcasts
In Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, adventurer Michelle Lee shares her extraordinary journey as the first Australian woman to solo-row the Atlantic Ocean. With no prior rowing experience, she dedicated two years to intense preparation—fueled by a desire to break free from a life of routine. On the day her father passed away, she set out on this monumental voyage, confronting not only the vastness of the ocean but also the depths of her grief.
Throughout the pursuit, Michelle reflects on how fear can catalyze growth rather than hold us back. She recounts moments of doubt, aches, and uncertainty—but also of connection: the comforting embrace of nature and encouragement from her community. Her story is a powerful reminder that overcoming immense challenges is possible when resilience meets gratitude, and when we refuse to live with regret.
by Kerrie Atherton | Sep 9, 2024 | Empower, Focus, Podcasts
In this compelling episode of Stories of HOPE: Inspiring Humans with Kerrie Atherton, Shaun Thomson, world champion surfer turned author, speaker, and advocate, opens up about transforming profound personal loss into a courageous call to live with purpose. After losing his son Matthew in 2006, Shaun turned toward meaningful pursuits and community service, drawing strength from his mother’s faith and inspired by a student’s powerful desire to “always be myself.” He reflects on his storied surfing career, entrepreneurial ventures, and tireless support for mental health and personal growth. Central to his journey is the power of words: writing one’s own “I Will” code—personal, written commitments—becomes a lifeline for hope, resilience, and positive change. Shaun’s story is a vivid reminder that even in grief, we can craft our path forward, anchored by intention and heartfelt purpose.
by Kerrie Atherton | Dec 15, 2021 | Addiction, Counselling, Depression, Empower, Events, Family, Mental Health, Special Moments, Stories of Hope, Thoughts
Finding joy through adversity was what we heard all about at last months event as Dean and Sharlene (pictured below) shared their phenomenal stories of triumphing over hard times. Dean who was born with the debilitating disease ‘EB’ Epidermolysis Bullosa is one of the world’s oldest survivors at age 41. He considers himself to be very positive and is always looking forward with anticipation. The age expectancy of someone with EB is not usually beyond two years old. Dean who was born with the worst form of EB has outlived all those battling this disease in Australia. His zest for life despite his pain and the arduous routine which takes around four hours preparation just to get out the front door each morning, something many of us take for granted, is written all over his face when you see him smile.
Sharlene who shared her moving story of recovery described what life was like living as a hopeless helpless alcoholic. When you look at her, you could be forgiven for thinking that she looks nothing like an alcoholic. The same has often been said to me in my many years of sobriety but we are the faces of alcoholism. We appear in all forms shapes and sizes. The well-dressed corporate CEO, someone on a park bench, or as in Sharlene’s case, the mum of four next door. Finding Joy Through Adversity comes in all shapes, sizes and demographics.
Dark Days always come before we can find ourselves Finding Joy Through Adversity
Sharlene’s alcoholism took her to the darkest and most desperate place. Into the hands of violence, arrests, psych wards, and emergency departments. A Myriad of horrendous twists and turns, heartbreak and hysteria. Rock bottom eventually struck with the fatal blow, having her young children taken away in the family court system. For Dean ‘it was around three years ago when for no reason his body started shutting down. He said, ‘It was a frightening time but I never let go of hope’.
INCLUSION BRINGS JOY
For Dean, JOY came through finding a purpose and people who loved, accepted and included him despite his outward appearance. People who were drawn to the gold on the inside and saw him for the person he was underneath his coat of damaged skin.
One of those people who made a huge contribution to Deans life was NRL player Shane Webcke. He along with some of the other NRL players such as Brad Thorn from his much-loved football team the Brisbane Broncos gave Dean a sense of belonging. Rejection is heartbreaking for someone who is already struggling and Inclusion can make all the difference. For Dean a make it was!
MOMENTS OF JOY
Since that day Sharlene put down the alcohol, she has found so many moments of joy. In fact the day her children were returned to her was one of the most joyous days of her life and was the very thing that motivated her to keep sober one day at a time. It was the goal that kept propelling her forward.
Other moments of joy she said were ‘the day I paid cash for my car. ‘It’s and old car and nothing fancy but it means the world to me. ‘Its something I finally own’, and the day she enrolled at university to become a midwife’. These are the ‘moments of joy and celebration in her life that have kept her going through the days, weeks and months of adversity.
For both Dean and Sharlene, gratitude for the small things have helped them the most in Finding Joy Through Adversity. Just when life seemed the hardest, a moment of joy shone through and showed them that life truly is for living. Tangible proof that even greater moments await in the future if they don’t give up.
GRATITUDE BRINGS JOY
For Dean it was the day he set a goal to bench press 150kgs and achieved it! What an amazing accomplishment for a person where even a bump to the skin can set off a cascade of catastrophic and damaging effects and even threaten to end his life.
Next time you think you are having a hard day; I encourage you to think about Dean and Sharlene and take some inspiration from their lives. The way they have risen from absolute devastation and continue to walk forward each and every day with gratitude even through adversity is remarkable. They are living proof that even though life is not perfect we can find perfect moments in every day. To read more remarkable stories of everyday inspirational people visit https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/
by Kerrie Atherton | Dec 3, 2020 | Addiction, Counselling, Depression, Empower, Events, Family, Mental Health, Special Moments, Stories of Hope, Thoughts
Finding joy through adversity was what we heard all about at last months event as Dean and Sharlene (pictured below) shared their phenomenal stories of triumphing over hard times. Dean who was born with the debilitating disease ‘EB’ Epidermolysis Bullosa is one of the world’s oldest survivors at age 41. He considers himself to be very positive and is always looking forward with anticipation. The age expectancy of someone with EB is not usually beyond two years old. Dean who was born with the worst form of EB has outlived all those battling this disease in Australia. His zest for life despite his pain and the arduous routine which takes around four hours preparation just to get out the front door each morning, something many of us take for granted, is written all over his face when you see him smile.
Sharlene who shared her moving story of recovery described what life was like living as a hopeless helpless alcoholic. When you look at her, you could be forgiven for thinking that she looks nothing like an alcoholic. The same has often been said to me in my many years of sobriety but we are the faces of alcoholism. We appear in all forms shapes and sizes. The well-dressed corporate CEO, someone on a park bench, or as in Sharlene’s case, the mum of four next door. Finding Joy Through Adversity comes in all shapes, sizes and demographics.
Dark Days always come before we can find ourselves Finding Joy Through Adversity
Sharlene’s alcoholism took her to the darkest and most desperate place. Into the hands of violence, arrests, psych wards, and emergency departments. A Myriad of horrendous twists and turns, heartbreak and hysteria. Rock bottom eventually struck with the fatal blow, having her young children taken away in the family court system. For Dean ‘it was around three years ago when for no reason his body started shutting down. He said, ‘It was a frightening time but I never let go of hope’.
INCLUSION BRINGS JOY
For Dean, JOY came through finding a purpose and people who loved, accepted and included him despite his outward appearance. People who were drawn to the gold on the inside and saw him for the person he was underneath his coat of damaged skin.
One of those people who made a huge contribution to Deans life was NRL player Shane Webcke. He along with some of the other NRL players such as Brad Thorn from his much-loved football team the Brisbane Broncos gave Dean a sense of belonging. Rejection is heartbreaking for someone who is already struggling and Inclusion can make all the difference. For Dean a make it was!
MOMENTS OF JOY
Since that day Sharlene put down the alcohol, she has found so many moments of joy. In fact the day her children were returned to her was one of the most joyous days of her life and was the very thing that motivated her to keep sober one day at a time. It was the goal that kept propelling her forward.
Other moments of joy she said were ‘the day I paid cash for my car. ‘It’s and old car and nothing fancy but it means the world to me. ‘Its something I finally own’, and the day she enrolled at university to become a midwife’. These are the ‘moments of joy and celebration in her life that have kept her going through the days, weeks and months of adversity.
For both Dean and Sharlene, gratitude for the small things have helped them the most in Finding Joy Through Adversity. Just when life seemed the hardest, a moment of joy shone through and showed them that life truly is for living. Tangible proof that even greater moments await in the future if they don’t give up.
GRATITUDE BRINGS JOY
For Dean it was the day he set a goal to bench press 150kgs and achieved it! What an amazing accomplishment for a person where even a bump to the skin can set off a cascade of catastrophic and damaging effects and even threaten to end his life.
Next time you think you are having a hard day; I encourage you to think about Dean and Sharlene and take some inspiration from their lives. The way they have risen from absolute devastation and continue to walk forward each and every day with gratitude even through adversity is remarkable. They are living proof that even though life is not perfect we can find perfect moments in every day. To read more remarkable stories of everyday inspirational people visit https://storiesofhope.com.au/product/stories-of-hope-australia-books/
