Janice’s story

Janice, Peter, Daniel and Kate Marshall

Janice kindly shared her courageous story as part of the Quest for Life Foundation Mothers Day Appeal. You can read the full letter here. Thank you Janice for sharing part of your journey with us.

I am the mother, and until recently, the main carer, for Daniel, my gorgeous 24 year old son who is autistic. Then 6 years ago, my husband (of 32 years) Pete, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. After the nearly 24 years of grief (for the son we had expected and never had) and the stress that  came from living with him and his bizarre throwing and destructive behaviours, the blow of Pete’s diagnosis hit us for six. We’ve always felt that the prolonged stress of Daniel contributed to Pete’s disease. It may well have also contributed to our daughter, Kate (23), suffering from anxiety over the years, including being seriously ill with anorexia at age 11.

I am however a ‘fixer’, and have spent many of the last years trying to ‘fix’ Daniel, Pete and Kate. The cumulative stress and anger over these years has taken a toll and I have burned out and felt totally useless. Although I am on the surface fit and well, the added grief of watching my wonderful, strong, fit and capable husband slowly decline has been almost more than I can bear.

But together, and despite the restrictions of conventional western medicine, we have never given up hope that Pete can be well again. He continues to ride his mountain bike and we have adjusted our already healthy diet and exercise program. Then we came to Quest for Life, which provided us with the missing link, a program which taught us how to harness the power of the mind and how to live a ‘weller’ life right now. It taught me to live in the ‘now’, which I found so difficult before, and to slow my overwrought nervous system to find peace. One of the toughest lessons for me was learning that I also deserve to look after me and ‘fluff me up’ and that ironically is what best helps Pete, Daniel and Kate! I am learning that I can’t control everything and that is OK and yet ironically, the more both    Peter and I meditate and slow down, the more in control we feel. We hope to incorporate what we have learned into Daniel’s confused world as well to help bring him to his own peace. For both of us, the program has been life-changing and we look forward to our future lives now with hope.

Janice Marshall

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Million Kilo Weight loss Challenge: Participant Diary

Thank you Jay!

I have joined the 10-week Healthy lifestyle Challenge ~ to become a New Healthier “Me” as it came to my attention the past few months that I am feeling unhealthy. Feeling tired all the time and being overweight was causing me to feel unhappy as life was becoming increasingly more of an effort. So I knew it was now time to do something about it! Also this experience is even more meaningful as I am sharing this journey with many other participants who are also on their journey to gaining better health ~ and the best part! Which is motivating us to keep going each day is being able to support the ~“Quest for Life Foundation” at the same time! ~ Which will help many others on their journey in life as well as our own.

My goal is to eat healthy & exercise each day ~ I am doing well and feeling so inspired from all the wonderful support by sponsoring me and all the encouragement that I am receiving during my journey to gaining better health ~ Thank you.

~ Here is the link to see my fundraising page and to follow my journey ~

I am already feeling lighter and gaining more energy so am feeling positive about my new healthy life changing experience ~ now and into the future ~  and looking forward to being able to keep up more with my beautiful grandchildren!

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Get Healthy and Support the Quest for Life Foundation

1 Million Kilo Challenge

Here’s your chance to improve your health and support others who are dealing with challenges trauma, grief, depression or cancer at the same time.

What better way to support your new years weight loss and health goals than by doing it with hundreds and thousands of others!

Channel Ten’s 1 Million Kilo Challenge is a 10-week healthy lifestyle challenge that aims to equip all Australians with the resources, advice and motivation they need to achieve and maintain their healthy weight goal.

The challenge will run for 10 weeks (starting Monday 30th January) and promotes healthy eating, exercise and happier lifestyles for everyone that participates.

You pledge how many kilos you will lose and set health related goals.

1 Million Kilo Challenge also offers participants the chance to raise funds for a charity close to their heart, upon completion of their registration. All you have to do is follow the steps and create your very own online fundraising page.  The process only takes a minute and you can upload images, post blogs and set yourself a fundraising target.

Set healthy goals

Step 1: Register for the challenge

Step 2: Create your fundraising page and select the Quest for Life Foundation as your recipient charity.

Step 3: Tell your friends about your pledge and encourage them to donate to support your efforts! You will be given a unique url to your fundraising page to share with friends, family and colleagues.

Step 4: Follow the advice and support offered to you to achieve your goals

Your support for the Quest for Life Foundation will provide people living with life’s greatest challenges, the opportunity to regain control of their life and find peace and wellbeing. We support people facing life changing crises and provide them with practical tools and strategies to heal and grow through their challenges. Your support makes these programs possible. For more information on our programs please visit our website.

We’d love you to share your progress and wins on our Facebook page.

And most importantly……have fun and stay healthy!

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