Inspire

Sue's Story

Tuesday, 27 Apr 2010

South Australian mum Sue Lange was a winner of our
12 Days of Giving competition in December. Out of all of the prizes – books, candles and cookies – Sue won three coaching sessions valued at $300 with Tricia Labella from Rhythm of Life Coaching. It seems the universe worked
its mysterious magic to match
the perfect prize to just the right person.

Words by Sue Lange
(pictured above with daughter Gemma and Adèle Basheer)

Winning life coaching lessons with Tricia LaBella luckily coincided with a time in my life when I most needed it and it’s a gift that continues to give; enriching, revitalising and improving my life, both physically and emotionally.

Initially, I was simply elated to win, but my focus quickly turned to how I could maximise the benefit of this wonderful opportunity; especially as I had recently developed physical and emotional health problems from a long period of ongoing stress. My symptoms included high blood pressure, chest pain, anxiety, nocturnal panic attacks and daily pins and needles in my face and limbs; which was incredibly frightening, as I had always enjoyed good health. Like many women, I had been too busy caring for my family and these symptoms were my body’s way of letting me know I was neglecting to nurture myself.

The past six years have been a period of major change and upheaval for me. The first of these life experiences was helping to care for my terminally ill father and coming to terms with his death. I then married later that year, without my Dad to walk me up the isle as he had hoped to do. Three months after I married my husband, Darren, I happily fell pregnant with our daughter Gemma, which was another great joy in my life. However, during my pregnancy, my Mum became seriously mentally ill with bi-polar disorder, relapsing after more than a decade of wellness. Four days after giving birth to my daughter, my Mum came to stay and it was soon apparent that she was very unwell; in fact she was now suffering the other spectrum of bi-polar disorder – mania. This was incredibly difficult and stressful for me, struggling to look after a newborn and becoming a carer for my mentally ill mother at the same time. Mum and I had always been very close but during her manic episodes it was like she was a complete stranger – one that was nothing like my loving, caring Mum. During the next three years she swung from paralysing low depression, requiring me to care for her almost completely, to psychotic mania where I desperately searched for medical help as she became a danger to herself and others in the community. I was incredibly relieved when Mum was hospitalised for the third time and stayed a month, allowing the medication to finally stabilise her condition.

Ironically, it was only after Mum’s health stabilised and she received support from the local mental health nurse, Meals on Wheels and a part time carer, that my own health began to deteriorate. During this period I had gained weight, stopped exercising regularly (which I had always enjoyed) and stopped studying externally, as I just didn’t have the time. My focus was so completely on caring for my daughter, my mother and running the household, that I neglected to realise the importance of caring for myself.

And then I read about Intrinsic’s “12 Days of Giving” competition and I was particularly drawn to the major prize; three life coaching sessions with personal life coach, Tricia LaBella. As I read the blurb about Tricia, I thought to myself, “that’s exactly what I need; I wish I could win that prize.” Amazingly, I did!

Now a couple of months on from completing my coaching sessions with Tricia, my blood pressure is excellent, I have virtually no physical symptoms of anxiety (which is a huge relief), I have continued to lose weight (15 kilograms, so far) and I am enjoying walking regularly again. Most of all, I enjoy periods of respite. When my daughter goes to pre-school, I enjoy watching DVDs, rug hooking, catching up with a friend or reading. Instead of feeling a sense of guilt about this, I now recognise that ‘me time’ is vitally important for my health. Also, I no longer feel overwhelmed by housework; realising I don’t need to have the house immaculately clean at all times!

When I started the sessions with Tricia, what struck me immediately was that she not only listens and empathises, she offers practical solutions; suggesting positive new habits to replace limiting or unhelpful old routines and setting a series of mutually agreed challenges that build your level of confidence and sense of accomplishment. Sometimes it really does take a professional, third person – like Tricia – to point out helpful ideas to you, which in hindsight seem obvious. The only regret I have is not finding out about Tricia earlier; she has been an incredible help to me. I’m planning to return to part time tertiary study again next year, when my daughter starts primary school. I will definitely continue my coaching sessions with Tricia to accomplish this goal, in the most stress-free way.

I would like to thank Adèle for her generosity and particularly Tricia for her excellent help and advice. I look forward to continuing to enjoy living life to the full - without letting fear and worry overwhelm me - and taking the time to care for myself, so that I can continue to care for my family; no mater what ups and downs life brings in the future.

Revisit our It's All About You program, run in conjunction with Tricia Labella.