The Long Road

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 shares some of the challenges she has faced, of raising a child with additional needs, the uphill battle for services, education, support, and understanding in a system not built for rare. 

Show Notes: 

(1) It’s Cool to Talk Grief 2025 | Facebook (Long Luncheon) 

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 takes to be a medical mum — and how, at its core, it’s all about navigating and advocating for your child.

Notes and Support Links:
 CDH Australia - For more information, and the FB support group. 

If you enjoy this episode, please leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Lisa McKelvey xx

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 son Bailey, Caroline has spent the past 17 years dedicated to giving Alana the best quality of life possible. Their journey has been filled with love, sacrifice, and tireless advocacy.

As if navigating the complexities of Alana’s care wasn’t enough, Caroline received a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis when Alana was just two years old—adding a new layer of challenge and courage to their story.

This is a deeply moving conversation about motherhood, perseverance, and the unbreakable bonds of family. Caroline’s voice is one of quiet strength, and her story is one you won’t forget.

Tune in to hear a powerful journey of love, hope, and what it truly means to keep going—no matter what.

Notes & Support Links:

• Mumz n' Bubz Help - Lactation Consultant, Breastfeeding Support
• What is GAND? - Helping Hands for GAND
• Very Special Kids - Providing holistic palliative care for children and young people across Victoria.

If you enjoy the episode please leave a quick review, it will really help the podcast out.

Lisa McKelvey xx 

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 this powerful episode, Toni opens up about the transplant process and the priceless gift of life their family of four has so gratefully received.

Show Notes & Support Links:

• DonateLife – Become an organ donor in Australia
• Koala Kids – Support for kids with cancer
• HeartKids – Support for children with heart disease
• Challenge – Supporting kids with cancer and their families

If you enjoy the episode please leave a quick review, it will really help the podcast out.

Lisa McKelvey xx 

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. Like many parents, she pushed through the sleepless nights and stress, expecting the illness to pass. However, when her eldest daughter, Isabella, continued to deteriorate with worsening and unexplained symptoms, the real challenge was only just beginning.

Susan shares her powerful story of persistence, love, and resilience. Beyond her personal journey, she is also the founder and director of the Separation Support Network, a social enterprise dedicated to supporting Australians—both in rural and city areas—through relationship challenges, separation, divorce, and domestic and family violence issues. She offers Zoom consultations and after-hours appointments by arrangement, providing a crucial service to those in need.

Show Notes:
 Separation Support Network

Relationships Australia | Achieving positive and respectful relationships

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 raising their son, Leo, who has non-verbal autism outside the home. Through it all, they’ve fought to find balance in a world they never expected to be part of.

Karlie is a deep thinker and passionate advocate who has turned her family's hardship into a mission. She is currently researching the effects of Paediatric Medical Trauma Stress on children and how educators can empower themselves through the use of stories to support young students experiencing ongoing trauma.

Karlie’s resilience, insight, and dedication to helping others make this a must-listen conversation.

🔗 Resources & Links:
👉 Welcome, Care-Full Educator - The Care-Full Educator
👉 Follow Care-Full Educator on [Facebook] and [Instagram]

#TheLongRoadPodcast  #ChildhoodCancer #MedicalTrauma #CareFullEducator  #Education #Resilience

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 they've learned along the way. 

#thelongroadpodcast #traumaticbraininjury #strength #love  

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 condition  - Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia (MED)

Emma is a wonderful mother, wife, writer, story teller and disability advocate from Melbourne, Victoria. 

Episode 7 of The Long Road Podcast takes you on a beautiful journey of self discovery, advocacy and acceptance. 

Show Notes:

Our Creative Writing Courses | Brisbane Writers' Workshop

ONLINE SPECIAL: Family Ties & Life Stories: Exploring Memoir 

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 misunderstood condition.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone touched by chronic illness or seeking inspiration in the face of adversity.

If you are looking for more information that Elisa mentioned in the show, check out the show links below.
Sargood on Collaroy | Short Term Accommodation & Assistance
manly wheelchair basketball
Dylan Alcott Foundation - Helping young Australians with disabilities
Home | Paralympics Australia

Link to watch Prime Minister Albanese read out Raffertys note:
https://fb.watch/w9aWkC_B_P/

If you enjoy the episode please leave a review, it really helps the show grow. 

Thanks
Lisa McKelvey 

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 the Queensland Childrens hospital and life as they know it now. 

Please enjoy the listen. If you could take the time to rate the show and leave a review where ever you listen to your podcast, that would really help spread the podcast for others to find the show. 

Thanks so much for helping the podcast grow.
Lisa McKelvey