Rustproof

This page was last updated: 1 September, 2009

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Mountains above Grotto del Vento, Italy, September 2008.

Copyright: J. Egan

The Short Version ... There are four main sections to my life.  The first was being born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele.  At my birth the prognosis wasn't good but I have been considerably more fortunate than many.  Some call it luck.  I call it luck with a large dose of sheer bloody-mindedness.

Then there is the somewhat nomadic lifestyle that I and my family lived and that some of them still live to a degree.  Traveling to and living in other parts of Australia and the world.

Thanks for the Memories ... Advice ... Lessons ... It's important to me to acknowledge those who have had an influence in my life.  Those who have taught me so much about life and living it.  Those who have taught me not to give up and how to see the difference between sinking or swimming.  Those who have taught me that my life is what I choose to make it.  They have taught me that life is worth living and how to find the absolute beauty in the simplest of things.  To really SEE the sunrise, to smell the rose and to find the fascination in the seemingly ordinary adventure of a day in the life of an ant ...

Mum - who taught me that to succeed in life I had to face it head on and not to run away from myself.  From her I learnt to be strong.

Dad - who taught me a complete fascination for everything that life had to offer - from the little miracles (like the ants) to big ones.  To be curious and see the great and amazing adventure of life.

Rochelle - who taught me that determination can get you everywhere and make even those dreams you didn't know you had come true.

Leanne - who taught me to laugh at my problems and see the humour in those days when you're feeling down.

Sarah - who taught me to take that first step and see where it takes you.  From her I've learnt courage.

Ben - who taught me that imagination truly is a great gift.  With it, you really can fly.

Matthew - who, time and again, has taught me that he really does love me, warts and all.  I hoped a lot growing up but I never dared to believe that such a man could ever love me so well as he does.  As the old song goes ... he is the wind beneath my wings.

My friends - you know who you are.  From each of you I have learnt so many things but most importantly ... how to be a friend.

These are just a few.  There are others who, as I get to know them better, I look forward to what they can teach me.

Grandma - who taught me that if you sit on the fence for long enough, you get barbed wire up your arse.

Nanna - who taught me that a hug and a cup of tea really can work miracles.

Pa - who taught me that it doesn't matter who your family are - they're still your family.

Grandpa - who taught me that there is always a way to help, even when you disagree with why you're there.

The third section of my life involves the stress and emotional roller coaster and sometimes soul destroying path my husband and I followed in our, ultimately unsuccessful, attempts to have just one child.  This was the thing that finally broke me.

The final, and most recent, part of the story is my fight against Ovarian Cancer.  Having been discovered only this year (2008) this one is still fresh and serves as a reminder of the many lessons my life has taught me.  Lessons that, after IVF, I had forgotten.  I'm fine, in case you're wondering.  It was that old luck combined with sheer bloody-mindedness again.

I guess I should say that some of my thoughts might be a little unconventional, some even a little inflamatory but they are all based upon the, often, hard lessons I have learnt about life and living it.  So please, if I sometimes seem a little hard and callous in what I say it's because I can be.  My sister describes me as the "bull in the china shop" but I assure you it really is because I care.

Anyway, I sincerely hope that relating my experiences helps someone.  This life is a beautiful place to be.  You only have to open your eyes and see it.

PS:  I also have a wicked sense of humour.

Hello and welcome to Rustproof ... I hope that you will enjoy what I have achieved thus far and, if you're of a mind, you might pop back from time to time to see more.

I will be adding to this site whenever I can find the time but there is much yet to be added so I also hope that you'll be patient with me because sometimes there is just too much to try and remember.

This site is about my life and experiences (see Short Version) and I'm putting it together because I think that if relating those experiences can help just one other person, in some way or another, then I consider it a job well done.

The bulk of the images etc. on these pages have been created by me.  They may not be copied under any circumstances without my permission.  There is the occasional image however that is freeware.  It is best to contact me directly to find out which.  As for my autobiography and other thoughts, content and so forth - no part may be copied at all in any way, shape, manner or form without my express written permission.  I like to use my experiences to help others when and where I can but it is still my life.  It belongs to me.