Hi, I'm Leanne. I'm 50, I'm a mother of six and I have limited mobility due to my lymphoedema.

My life has been complicated, due to many reasons -

A domestically violent ex-husband
Depression and suicidal thoughts after my children were removed from my care for 15 years
Engagement with government control - to this day
Family dysfunction and a child who has left my life - by his choice
Pain, sometimes on a daily basis and some of that is 10/10 pain (I have venous skin tags under both legs that constantly get infected)
Last but not least of all, my disability, which has affected every part of my life.

I know that even with that list there are people out there in worse positions than me. Somehow going through all of this has helped me. I've learnt a lot about myself and others through this journey.

My disability and the other medical conditions that I have, have limited me in many ways. I haven't had a relationship in over 10 years, people look at me and see the very large woman in front of them and don't want to engage with me, unless of course it's in a professional capacity - which has been a very difficult journey in itself, just to gain paid employment.

Most of society sees me as incompetent, not educated, unable to have self control. How could I allow myself to get this big? That's how they look at me, in disgust or pity.

My lymphoedema has put on 50 or more kgs on my body, which was already big to begin with. My mind is sharp and my intellect is of a normal person and the look on people's faces when they realise that is sad but so revealing of society's norms and what seems to be a natural human bias that gets created as children.

I feel that I've been given the challenges above to teach others about people like myself, who fall into some category of 'not able to contribute to society '.
I do contribute to society, in fact, if you are reading this, you also contribute to society, just by living and breathing, loving and laughing, learning and teaching, making mistakes and living each day. You make a difference just by being you. There's only one you, you are unique, so is your story. We all have one, we've all been through things. I've just been through a whole lot in one lifetime (and I'm only 50, so I'm hoping it gets better from here.)

Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if only I'd taken another path. The path I took led me to intense pain and lots of sadness. I use that pain to write and tell stories, to help people better understand me and people like me.

I'm now free of the child protection system but not from government control. My children are under the public guardian and trustee. It's a difficult road for my kids and I'm helping them through it as best as I can.

My passion for helping others manifested into creating a business, called Parents on a Mission, which unfortunately closed down last year.

I now help others through my position as a paid parent advocate at Micah Projects. This position gives me the chance to create systems change.

I also use my voice and lived experience to help others understand what having a disability and being involved in the child protection system is like, to help them create changes there. There's such a gap in between these interconnecting systems and I'm hopeful that work that I'm involved in will change that.

I have big dreams and so many ideas that I know will help people. I believe I'm meant to do great things. Hopefully, some of you who read this might be inspired to do something yourself.

Take a chance -

Look up things in your neighbourhood that you could become involved in
Join a committee or join a women's group
Tell your story and find that strength within you that I found in myself.

We are all a part of the universal consciousness, all a part of each other. Whatever your life circumstances are at this moment, dare to dream, sing out loud, join that protest, leave your comfort zone and let the world find out just how amazing you are.

I will leave you with this -

It takes guts to put yourself out there. Particularly speaking in front of an audience or even doing a Facebook live. It takes guts to stand up and say something if you know that someone or an organisation is doing something wrong. We are powerful women, given these physical and mental 'gifts' to help others accept people of all shapes and sizes, colours, genders, disabilities, problems with seeing and hearing, limbs that may or may not be present and all other magnificent differences that create the human being.

You can change someones life, just by making a candid comment or giving a compliment or even just by smiling at someone.

My gift to you is the knowledge that even though I don't know you, I want good things for you. I care about what happens to you and if through my story you get some solace or inspiration, I've done my job.

Have a wonderful day

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Hi, my name is Leanne Claussen. I'm a mum of six and a woman with a disability. I am also a creative writer and author and work in the child protection system, advocating for parents and their families. I work in many areas, using my lived experience to help others.

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[Image description: a headshot of Leanne. She has short, blonde hair styled in a bob. She is wearing glasses and red lipstick. The corners of the photo have small red and pink love hearts.]