Jeanie Dean

Thank you and the why -i will make it to the end

Since starting the One Foot Forward challenge, the support has been incredible. This is huge, and it simply wouldn’t have happened without some pretty amazing people in my life being so generous and recognising what their donations can mean for children and young people who are struggling. And to everyone who has shared the page, please don’t underestimate that contribution either. Every share helps spread awareness, education and, most importantly, the message that support exists. That is a donation of a different kind, and it matters. I’m also not far off walking my 10km! 👣 I decided from the beginning that I wanted to make this challenge part of my own rehabilitation for my spinal injury which is why you will have seen me setting smaller goals as I go and building up, as I have to manage the flare ups and everything that has come with the walks. So no matter what kind of day it is, I get some steps in. Some days it’s with a sore neck, aching arms that feel like they’re burning and a body that hurts so much I can barely get out of bed. Some days depression and anxiety make leaving the house feel harder than the walking itself. If I can’t leave the house, I walk around the backyard. If it’s cold and raining, I walk from one end of the house to the other. It doesn’t have to look impressive. It just has to be one foot forward, then another. And Rhys; I’m doing this in your honour; to ensure that more research, more supports, more awareness just more of everything can help to support and prevent the irreversible impacts of mental illness and or decline in mental health or wellness xo You are always present in my mind, with little reminders of you scattered throughout my life here in Victoria. A plant in my garden. A Christmas ornament on my tree. A little soccer ball with your handwriting on it. Treasured photos of you living it up with your cousins and one in particular one photo I will forever hold close, of me having a small moment with just you and your mate, cousin and my son dancing in Bali xo Small pieces of you that have travelled through life with me. But the most important part of you needs no physical reminder. You are forever embedded in my heart. So I’ll keep putting one foot forward — for you, for those we have lost, and for every person who needs to know that when life feels impossible, there may still be another option, another person, another tomorrow. ❤️👣 Share

Updated fundraising goal

I’ve updated the fundraising goal as I have so many beautiful and amazing people in my circle that support this amazing cause and me! I am so thankful - I might not be walking 10km all at once but I am pushing myself each day to get some steps in to make sure I reach the committment I made to you all and all those who need these services xo Share

Next steps

I made it to 5km. ❤️ So now I’m setting myself another goal: 10km and $350 raised for One Foot Forward. Walking hurts. Every step hurts, and that pain is there every day. But so is the pain carried by people who reach a point where they genuinely feel there is no way out of whatever they are facing. I respect a person’s right to make choices about their own life. But I also believe that if we can create another avenue of support, another conversation, another person who listens, or simply another moment to get through, then maybe someone gets the chance to see that there are more options available before making a permanent decision in response to what may be a temporary situation. Life can be overwhelming. And for our children and young people, particularly our young men, navigating it can feel incredibly hard. So this walk is for everyone. For those struggling quietly. For the families and friends trying to hold space beside them. And for those we have lost, whose pain may have ended, but whose absence is felt by the people who love them every single day. I can sit with my own physical pain for a little while in solidarity with those who carried pain we couldn’t always see. So the next 5km is for all of you. And for the people I’ve personally lost along the way, I know you’ll be there with me, in every little step my body lets me take. 10km. $350. One foot forward at a time. Share

The start of journey

I wanted to do this walk for so many reasons some deeply personal related to my own mental health struggles, the struggles I have witness and supported others go through, and most importantly to make sure that support is always available especially for young people. I have been battling a workplace injury for nearly three years and have had two spinal surgeries and many spinal procedures but I am determined to meet small goals starting with 5km over a few days which I have achieved and nearly raised enough for at least one person to recieve support. Share