The Long Road

In this episode of The Long Road Podcast, Lisa sits down with Heidi McIntosh to share the story of her son, Benaiah Roi, and the profound impact of neonatal loss on her family. After a healthy pregnancy, Heidi and her husband Caleb received unexpected news at 37 weeks that their unborn son was critically unwell. What followed was a journey of hope, fear, love, and heartbreak as they stayed in Bris...

In this episode, I’m joined by Zoe Chung, a mum to her daughter Sophia, who was diagnosed with Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) after a complex start to life. Zoe shares her experience navigating the NICU, receiving a rare diagnosis, and adjusting to life with a medically complex child. While still in hospital with Sophia, Zoe was also diagnosed with breast cancer, beginning treatment while co...

Clare shares her journey raising her 5-year-old son Frank, who is deaf, and what it has looked like navigating diagnosis, early intervention, and raising him bilingually using Auslan and spoken English. We talk about advocacy, language access, and the importance of creating a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Clare is also passionate about connecting families with the deaf com...

Courtney shares her journey raising her 3-year-old son Larry, who lives with cerebral palsy and complex medical needs. We talk about advocacy, trusting your instincts, and embracing that every child develops in their own time. Larry also has a rare genetic mutation called CBX1, and Courtney would love to connect with other families with a similar diagnosis. Resources mentioned: The Centre of Movem...

In this episode of The Long Road , I sit down with Makayla Jensen to share the story of her younger brother Beau, who survived a life-threatening drowning accident just days after his 17th birthday. Makayla takes us back to the moment her family received the call that Beau was being given CPR, the week he spent in a coma, and the long, uncertain road of rehabilitation that followed. She speaks hon...

In this episode of The Long Road , Lisa sits down with Mel Garcia to share the moment everything changed — when her eight-month-old daughter experienced a prolonged seizure that led to a diagnosis of Dravet Syndrome. Mel speaks openly about the fear, hospital stays, constant vigilance, and the strength it takes to live one day at a time. Knowing firsthand how quickly the emotional and financial pr...

Welcome back to Season 3 of The Long Road . This podcast was created to remind families facing childhood trauma, disability and adversity that they are not alone. I’ve missed these conversations — and I’m so excited for what’s ahead this season. Thank you for being here. Find all episodes and connect with us here: Website :  The Long Road Podcast Lisa McKelvey xx 

At 9 years old, Sam Carroll was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer. Now 21, he reflects on his journey through treatment, recovery, and the silver linings he’s discovered along the way.  A story of courage, resilience, and hope.  Hosted by: Lisa McKelvey Show Notes:  Video of Sams Tour De Cure Speech - https://www.facebook.com/share/v/171Z9mAd6J/ Tour de Cure Website

Julie Cross shares the hardest chapter of her life — losing her husband Flash after a stroke, parenting two young boys, and navigating her youngest son Thomas’s autism diagnosis.  Through heartbreak and challenge, Julie has mothered through the storms with sparkle, humour, and wisdom.  Hosted by Lisa McKelvey. Show notes:  To find out more about Julie and her book "Living and Loving with Auti...

When Sasha Stanton’s 3-year-old son, Logan, lost his leg in a devastating farm accident (2018), life changed in an instant. What followed was a period of deep trauma, reflection, and ultimately, personal growth.  In this episode, Sasha shares the raw truth of parenting through crisis, how she rebuilt her world, and the powerful ways she now supports other rural mums facing isolation and hardship....

The Long Road - Episode 14 Guest - Molly Bell Hosted by - Lisa McKelvey In this episode, Molly Bell — a pharmacist, wife, and mother of two from Toowoomba, QLD chats about her family’s journey. Molly and Nathans youngest son, Alfie, was diagnosed with an extremely rare neuro deficiency disorder (PPP2R1A), which affects his gross motor skills and causes moderate intellectual disability.  Molly shar...

The Long Road – Episode 13 Guest – Mel Nicol Hosted by – Lisa McKelvey In this episode, Mel shares what life was like raising four children while living remotely on Cubbie Station in Dirranbandi, QLD. Their journey took a complex turn when their youngest child, Will, was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Mel speaks openly about the challenges, the heartbreak, and the strength it tak...

The Long Road – Episode 12 Guest: Caroline Kiefer Hosted by: Lisa McKelvey A Mother’s Fight Caroline Kiefer is a mother of two from Melbourne, Victoria. In this episode, Caroline shares her remarkable story of strength and resilience after her only daughter, Alana, was diagnosed with a rare condition—GATAD2B-associated neurodevelopmental disorder (GAND). Together with her husband Chris and eldest...

The Long Road Podcast - Episode 11 Guest - Toni Bloor Hosted by - Lisa McKelvey  A Race Against Time Toni Bloor, a mother of two from Melbourne, shares her family’s extraordinary journey through heartbreak and healing. Her eldest son James survived Burkitt lymphoma at just five years old—only to face the unimaginable once again as a teenager, needing a life-saving heart and lung transplant.  In th...

The Long Road Podcast - Episode 10 Guest: Susan Crain Hosted by: Lisa McKelvey In this episode of The Long Road Podcast , we welcome Susan Crain as our Episode 10 guest. Susan, a mother of three, opens up about the lasting impact of a traumatic period in her family's life when her children were young. What began as a terrible virus affecting all three kids turned into an exhausting ordeal. Li...

In this episode of The Long Road Podcast , host Lisa McKelvey sits down with Karlie Ross from Toowoomba, QLD, to discuss her family’s deeply personal journey through childhood trauma. Karlie and her husband, Mason, faced an unimaginable challenge when their daughter, Ellie, was diagnosed with Leukemia just before her second birthday. At the same time, they were navigating the complexities of raisi...

In this powerful episode, host Lisa McKelvey sits down with Jeff McPaul to reflect on a tragedy that changed his family's life forever.  25 years ago, Jeff’s four-year-old son, Matty, was hit by a car in a devastating accident. Matty’s recovery has been a lifelong journey, shaping the resilience, strength, and love within their family.  Jeff shares his insights on grief, hope, and the lessons...

Emma Rennison chats with host Lisa McKelvey about the difficulties her mum went through with getting medical assistance for what was originally thought to be hip dysplasia for herself as a child.   Then years later, as a mother, Emma sits in medical appointments and by her childrens bedside, while they have extensive orthopedic conditions as well. The Rennisons now have a diagnosis of the genetic...

In episode 6 of The Long Road podcast, we sit down with Elisa Spano, a dedicated mother of 2, to discuss her son's journey with Perthes Disease. Elisa shares her story, shedding light on the emotional, physical, and medical hurdles their family has faced since the diagnosis. From the initial signs, Elisa offers insight into what it's like to advocate for a child with a rare and often mis...

In Episode 5 of The Long Road Podcast, host Lisa McKelvey will speak with Aylish Maher a wife, to Mick Maher and mother to two beautiful children Miley and Monty.  The Maher family begun their long road on day one of Montys life. Monty has a severe cardiac condition and was diagnosed with 22q deletion. Monty is currently 4 years old, and Aylish speaks about the whirlwind of the first year, time in...

Tamara Lloyd, together with her husband Jono are raising 3 beautiful children. Life definitely has its challenges with their eldest Kai (13 yo) having high functioning autism.  Kai is non verbal, and in her 13 years of raising Kai, Tamara has never heard him say the words I love you. Only a handful of times has she heard him say the name "mum". Yet their bond is so so special.  Tamara ch...

Sarah Moorcroft had always dreamed of having children, and after meeting her husband John and having her first born, soon found out, its not always as straight forward as you would imagine.  Sarah chats on the podcast with host, Lisa McKelvey, about her second born son Hunters time at the Queensland Childrens Hospital with inflammation of his heart muscle - Myocarditis, life since, and some of the...

Jen Drummonds son, Rafferty (2) was tragically struck by a car while riding his balance bike, with his family while they were walking their dogs.   Rafferty devastatingly sustained a severe traumatic brain injury.    Jen chats with host, Lisa McKelvey, about family life since the life changing accident. Jen and her husband Dylan have chosen to pick happiness and make the most of the life that they...

What do you do when your on an adventure of a life time overseas with your husband and 5 kids, when your eldest son becomes increasingly unwell, and after seeking out medical help, you hear the diagnosis - he has a rare AVM on his spinal cord?  Brooke Colless has lived this incredible story. Its one of love, hope and faith.  Show Links: Brooke Colless - Blonde Nomads - https://www.instagram.com/bl...

Hi and welcome to The Long Road. Hosted by Lisa McKelvey, a mother of 5 children ranging in age from 16 - 5 years old. She lives with her husband Steve in Goondiwindi, QLD. On boxing day 2021, Lisas second eldest son Beau, had a motorbike accident which resulted in a Spinal Cord Injury, at just 12 years old.  Lisa has gained so much by speaking with other parents who also have experienced a life c...