Jodee Schweitzer

Support my walk for mental health research

👀💚 PLEASE READ 💚👀 THIS IS WRITTEN BY ME - JODEE 💚 60KM FOR MENTAL HEALTH 💚 This October, I'm taking on a challenge that is going to push me — 60KM in one month. 🏃‍♀️🚶‍♀️💪 I’ll walk, run or move my way through at least 60km to raise money, awareness and understanding for mental health across Australia. And honestly… given where I’m currently at health wise, this is going to be a REAL challenge. Mental health is something very close to my heart and has been a huge part of my own story, particularly over the past couple of years. ❤️ A LITTLE PIECE OF MY STORY… For the past 15 years, I have battled significant medical issues. I've spent more than 12 months in hospital in one stay alone — and years in hospital altogether. I'm closing in on 60 surgeries, 8 air ambulance rides, 3 revivals and life support, along with endless medications- creating the perfect storm for poor mental health. Then, over the past 18 months, my whole world was completely rocked. I've experienced huge losses, heartache and, most recently, some very difficult medical results in relation to my future. Along the way, the trauma has contributed to me developing FND (Functional Neurological Disorder). These days I deal with daily seizures, tics, involuntary movements, loss of muscle control, speech difficulties, blackouts, dizziness, nausea, extreme fatigue and significant cognitive difficulties, including problems with memory and finding words — and so much more. But this challenge isn't about all of that. It's about what I've learnt through it all. 🧠 YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH ARE 100% CONNECTED. ❤️ What happens to us mentally can affect us physically. And what happens to us physically can have a huge impact on our mental wellbeing. I'm working hard every single day. I'm slowly building my strength back. I'm seeing little improvements with my movement and tics. And I WILL keep moving forward. 💪❤️ Because sometimes moving forward doesn't mean running. Sometimes it means taking one small step at a time. And that's exactly what I'm going to do. 60KM. One month. One step at a time. 👣💚 There will be good days. There will be hard days. There will probably be days when simply getting out the door is the biggest achievement. And that's okay. I'll keep putting one foot in front of the other. 💚 WHY I'M DOING THIS I want to raise much-needed funds for mental health, but I also want to raise something just as important — awareness. Mental health can affect ANYONE, at ANY age. The person smiling beside you could be fighting a battle you know absolutely nothing about. So please… Be kind. Be patient. Check in on your people. Ask how they REALLY are. Listen without judgement. And don't be afraid to talk. If sharing a little of my own story helps even one person feel less alone, or makes someone feel a little more comfortable asking for help, then every kilometre will be worth it. ❤️ 💚 HOW YOU CAN HELP 💚 If you're able to donate, I would be incredibly grateful. 🙏🙂 If you can't donate — that's completely okay.🙂 You can still help by: 💚 Sharing my fundraiser 💚 Following my journey 💚 Cheering me on 💚 Talking about mental health 💚 Checking in on someone you love Every share, every kind word and every kilometre helps.🥰 60KM. ONE MONTH. ONE STEP AT A TIME. 💚👣 Thank you for supporting me in something that is incredibly personal and VERY important to me. Let's get moving. Let's keep talking. Let's keep checking in on each other. And let's keep breaking the stigma around mental health Love you guys… Jodee xx 💚😘