Nella - Finding Strength in Every Chapter

After the amputation of my leg, above the knee, I quickly learned that resilience is not something you are born with, it is something you build through every challenge life places in front of you. Losing a limb, in many ways, marked the beginning of discovering who I truly was.

Fifteen years later, cancer entered my life again when I was diagnosed with lymphoma. Then, eight years after that, breast cancer resulted in a double mastectomy. Cancer has shaped many parts of my story, but it has never defined who I am. Instead, it has strengthened my determination to keep moving forward, to continue finding purpose, and to live life fully.

I have had some unique and rewarding work experiences. One of the most memorable was working alongside archaeologists in Melbourne's CBD on a heritage site, overseeing labour hire opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. Being part of uncovering history while helping others find meaningful work was incredibly fulfilling.

Another role that brought me unexpected joy was working at a recycling plant, dismantling electronics. There was something incredibly satisfying about taking apart electronics with hammers and power tools. Breaking things down, discovering how they worked, and contributing to sustainability at the same time, is something worth remembering. It remains one of the most enjoyable jobs I have ever had, even though it was short-lived, as it was during this period that I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

My career journey has also included working at the NDIS call centre, supporting people navigating the disability sector, and later working for a company providing services to people living with disability and aged care.

Today, I am proud to work at Limbs 4 Life, an organisation that understands the realities of amputation and the importance of peer support, advocacy, and community. Working with an organisation that aligns so closely with my lived experience allows me to give back, support others, and help create connections for people with disability.

I have been blessed with a loving and supportive husband who has stood beside me through most of this journey. We have been happily married for 23 years, and he truly is my soulmate. He has always encouraged me, supported every crazy idea or challenge I wanted to tackle, and cheered me on every step of the way. Having someone believe in you so completely makes even the hardest days feel possible. Together, we have raised two almost-adult children, and I hope that they understand that adversity does not define you, your response to adversity does. Watching them grow into capable, independent people has been one of the greatest joys of my life. 

Motherhood is something I never truly believed would be possible for me. After my cancer diagnosis combined with the realities and logistics of being an above-knee amputee, I carried many fears and uncertainties about what the future might hold. Pregnancy brought with it countless questions. Would I be able to carry a baby to full term? How would I manage putting on my prosthetic leg when heavily pregnant? What would I do when my baby woke crying in the middle of the night and I wasn't wearing my leg?

The unknown often felt overwhelming. Yet, somehow, you find a way. Like so many parents, you adapt, learn, and discover strengths you never knew you had. My husband was my constant source of support, standing beside me and helping me navigate even the most difficult days. Becoming a mother has been one of the greatest blessings of my life and one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. My children have brought me immeasurable joy, purpose, and love, and they continue to inspire me every day.

One thing I have become incredibly passionate about over the last couple of years is the importance of socket fit. Amputees face many ongoing challenges, and socket fit is one of THE most important aspects of maintaining independence and quality of life. A well-fitting socket is arguably the most critical component of a prosthesis. You can have the best Assistive Technology components but if your socket does not fit well the componentry is almost useless. 

Over the last few years, I faced ongoing challenges with my socket, where I only had it on for a few hours before needing to take it off because of pain and discomfort. I put my trust into clinicians, only to feel unheard and dismissed when I tried to explain what was, and was not, working for me. Being told that “they have done all they can do and that the next best option for me was to consider surgery,” was incredibly disheartening and left me feeling frustrated, defeated, and uncertain about where to turn next. I could feel my independence slipping away, and I worried that I was becoming a burden on my husband.

I wanted to continue doing the things I had always enjoyed and valued, but my socket simply would not allow me to. At one point, a doctor even suggested that if the pain was that severe, the best option would be to just stay off my prosthetic leg altogether. For me, however, that was never an option. I have always been fiercely independent, and I was determined not to lose that part of who I am.

After working with several different clinicians, I began to wonder if perhaps I was the problem, but with the encouragement and recommendation from a peer, I finally found a clinician who genuinely listened, collaborated with me, and invested the time and effort needed to achieve the best possible outcome. The difference was life changing. My quality of life improved dramatically, and I walked without pain for the first time.

I also had to recover funding from previous providers who had been paid upfront for services but were unable to deliver a socket that was fit for purpose. It was frustrating at times, but the experience reinforced just how important it is to advocate for yourself and never compromise when it comes to your rights as a consumer, mobility, comfort, and independence. 

I now wear my prosthesis for 16+ hours a day without issue and live life to the fullest. I work full time, and on weekends I love heading off on small adventures with my husband, whether that means staying in a tiny home in a remote area, soaking in a wood-fired tub under the stars, exploring Melbourne's laneways on a mystery picnic, or simply going on a long drive along the coast. These may sound like ordinary things to some people, but when you have fought so hard to regain them, they mean absolutely everything.

If there is just one thing I hope people take away from my story, it is to never give up. Take life one day at a time. Learn to adapt. Keep advocating for yourself. Keep searching for solutions. There will be hard days, really hard days, but there is also hope, strength, and joy beyond the struggles. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply keep going.

Resilience is not built in comfort. It is built in those moments when life tests you and you decide to continue anyway.