If someone had told me years ago that I would survive everything life has thrown at me, I might not have believed them. I have faced loss, trauma, premature birth, and medical challenges, and at times, I’ve felt like I was barely holding on. But through it all, I have learned the most important lesson of my life: you are stronger than you know—especially when you have a purpose.
For me, that purpose is Amelia.
Everything Changed at My 20-Week Scan
People often assume that everything changed for me when Amelia was born, but the truth is, it happened much earlier—at my 20-week scan.
That day, I walked into the appointment expecting excitement, reassurance, and maybe a glimpse of my baby’s tiny hands or feet. But instead, I was told that something was wrong. My heart pounded as I listened to words I wasn’t ready to hear, my mind struggling to keep up with what this could mean.
Then, the next day, my world completely shattered. I was told to prepare myself for the possibility of giving birth as early as 23 weeks. I knew what that meant. I knew the survival rates, the risks, the endless uncertainty that lay ahead. My body had become a ticking clock, and I had no control over when or how things would unfold.
I remember sitting in the car afterward, staring out of the window, feeling like the ground had been pulled from beneath me. I wasn’t ready for this. I wasn’t prepared to face the unknown. But from that moment on, I knew that I had to fight—not just for myself, but for Amelia.
Strength Comes From the Hardest Moments
There have been times when I felt like I couldn’t possibly keep going—when grief, exhaustion, and fear pressed down on me like a weight I couldn’t shake. But every single time, I found a way through.
Sitting in the NICU beside Amelia’s incubator, I realised that my strength wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about her. Every beeping machine, every sleepless night, every tear shed in silence—I pushed through it all because she needed me. And the truth is, I needed her just as much.
Your Purpose Fuels Your Strength
We all have something that keeps us going. For some, it’s their children; for others, it’s a dream, a passion, or a mission to make a difference. Purpose gives us a reason to fight when giving up seems easier. It reminds us why we endure the hardest days and keeps us moving forward when the road feels impossible.
For me, Amelia is that purpose. Every milestone she reaches, every giggle, every determined escape attempt (because let’s be honest, she is a little Houdini), reminds me why I keep pushing forward. I want her to grow up knowing that her mum never stopped fighting—for her, for our family, for the future.
You Are Capable of More Than You Think
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be this: You are capable of surviving more than you can imagine. And one day, you’ll understand just how strong you truly are.
We often underestimate our resilience. We believe we’re too fragile, too tired, too broken. But then life happens, and we realise—we can endure more, love harder, and rise stronger than we ever thought possible.
So if today feels like too much, if you’re standing in the middle of your storm wondering how you’ll make it through, remember this: you are stronger than you know. And if you have a purpose, you will find a way.
And if you don’t know your purpose yet? That’s okay. Sometimes, purpose finds us when we least expect it. Keep going—you are stronger than you realise.
If this resonated with you, I’d love for you to share your thoughts in the comments. And if you haven’t already, make sure to like and subscribe for more posts on parenting, resilience, and finding strength in the hardest moments. You are not alone.
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