Clare shares her journey raising her 5-year-old son Frank, who is deaf, and what it has looked like navigating diagnosis, early intervention, and raising him bilingually using Auslan and spoken English.

We talk about advocacy, language access, and the importance of creating a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

Clare is also passionate about connecting families with the deaf community and supporting parents to feel confident in their child’s journey.

Resources mentioned:
Deaf Connect – https://deafconnect.org.au

Deaf Australia – https://deafaustralia.org.au

Expression Australia – https://expression.com.au

Follow Clare on Instagram: @raisingbilinguals

Thanks for being here,

Lisa McKelvey x

Courtney shares her journey raising her 3-year-old son Larry, who lives with cerebral palsy and complex medical needs.

We talk about advocacy, trusting your instincts, and embracing that every child develops in their own time.

Larry also has a rare genetic mutation called CBX1, and Courtney would love to connect with other families with a similar diagnosis.

Resources mentioned:
The Centre of Movement – https://www.centreofmovement.com.au

NAPA Centre – https://napacenter.org

Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) – https://www.dana.org.au

Follow Courtney on Instagram: @court.a.ney

Thanks for being here,

Lisa McKelvey x

In this episode of The Long Road, I sit down with Makayla Jensen to share the story of her younger brother Beau, who survived a life-threatening drowning accident just days after his 17th birthday.

Makayla takes us back to the moment her family received the call that Beau was being given CPR, the week he spent in a coma, and the long, uncertain road of rehabilitation that followed. She speaks honestly about the fear, the waiting, and the shift from being “just a sister” to becoming part of his care and recovery.

This is a beautiful conversation about trauma, resilience, and the unseen experience of siblings when everything in a family changes overnight.

If you’ve ever wondered what that side of the story feels like, this episode is for you.

Hosted by: Lisa McKelvey

Show Notes: Bring it 4 Beau Insta Link -

https://www.instagram.com/bringit4beau?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

In this episode of The Long Road, Lisa sits down with Mel Garcia to share the moment everything changed — when her eight-month-old daughter experienced a prolonged seizure that led to a diagnosis of Dravet Syndrome.

Mel speaks openly about the fear, hospital stays, constant vigilance, and the strength it takes to live one day at a time.

Knowing firsthand how quickly the emotional and financial pressures mount when a child is in and out of hospital, Mel and her husband Rafa created 1 in 25 — an advocacy initiative raising awareness and funds to support families affected by epilepsy. The name reflects the statistic that 1 in 25 Australians will experience epilepsy in their lifetime.

Website: 1IN25.co

Thank you for walking this road with us.

Lisa McKelvey x

Welcome back to Season 3 of The Long Road.

This podcast was created to remind families facing childhood trauma, disability and adversity that they are not alone. I’ve missed these conversations — and I’m so excited for what’s ahead this season.

Thank you for being here.

Find all episodes and connect with us here:
Website : The Long Road Podcast

Lisa McKelvey xx

At 9 years old, Sam Carroll was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer. Now 21, he reflects on his journey through treatment, recovery, and the silver linings he’s discovered along the way.

A story of courage, resilience, and hope.

Hosted by: Lisa McKelvey

Show Notes:

Video of Sams Tour De Cure Speech - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/171Z9mAd6J/

Tour de Cure Website

Julie Cross shares the hardest chapter of her life — losing her husband Flash after a stroke, parenting two young boys, and navigating her youngest son Thomas’s autism diagnosis.

Through heartbreak and challenge, Julie has mothered through the storms with sparkle, humour, and wisdom.

Hosted by Lisa McKelvey.

Show notes:

To find out more about Julie and her book "Living and Loving with Autism":

www.juliecross.com.au

When Sasha Stanton’s 3-year-old son, Logan, lost his leg in a devastating farm accident (2018), life changed in an instant. What followed was a period of deep trauma, reflection, and ultimately, personal growth.

In this episode, Sasha shares the raw truth of parenting through crisis, how she rebuilt her world, and the powerful ways she now supports other rural mums facing isolation and hardship.

A heartfelt conversation about resilience, values, and finding strength and community in the hardest of seasons.

Hosted by: Lisa McKelvey

Show Notes:

Link to COOEE -

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-here-what-inspired-the-poddy-and-what-to-expect/id1798324951?i=1000700098263

https://open.spotify.com/show/7xzUToQA6rnHrYEwtJyAs4?si=c6b8240ae8db4fcd