Author spotlight: JULIE FISHER

Julie Fisher is a local mum who, in 2019, realised a dream of writing her first book titled The Unexpected Journey.

In this book, Julie shares her family’s journey with their youngest son Darcy who lives with Down syndrome. She talks about the prenatal diagnosis they received, support, schooling for their son and embracing the beauty of disability.

In 2021, Julie published her second book The Magic of Inclusion where she shares their experiences with inclusion and acceptance in everyday community access like shopping. She shares the strategies she uses with her son to deal with some of the judgement they have faced.

At the end of her second book, Julie includes views from some of her friends on the topic of inclusion and acceptance. The feedback she has received from her books are of thanks for sharing an insight into her world as well as other families thanking her for sharing their experiences.

Since writing her books, Julie has hosted a local disability expo in Langwarrin and will be hosting the second this year on 28 October. She is also now working with families, hosting workshops, and hosts a radio show titled The Unexpected Journey on local radio station RPPFM.

Julie has also begun to build a community where she can further support families and help them by having service and support providers come along to talk to the group in the hope that they will also be able to help and support these families.

Through Julie’s connections during Covid, and hearing others’ stories, she thought it would be good to share their journeys and that is when From the Hearts of Mums was created.

Julie has put together a beautiful book of 13 stories from Mums around the world who care for children with Down syndrome. The stories in this book are honest, raw and filled with love.

Julie shares a little from her third book…

Since the publication of my previous books, The Unexpected Journey and The Magic of Inclusion I have received many comments from people who enjoyed reading about our journey and learning how important it is for our son Darcy to be treated as any other person would like to be treated.

Many also expressed how they didn’t realise that inclusion and acceptance, even though things are much better than many years ago, is still often lacking. People are genuinely surprised when I share stories of what we and our friends have experienced and have had to deal with from people.

The feedback from my books is overwhelmingly one of gratitude for sharing and providing an insight into our world. Many people say they really enjoy hearing about the world we live in and getting to know our son Darcy a little more.

Sharing our story gives an insight into our experiences. However, everyone’s stories are different. I decided it was important to also share the stories of other families, and the idea for this book was born.

Inside, you will hear from 13 families, and you will see their stories are different from ours, even though we all travel along the same road. You will also see that each and every one of us has the same wants for our loved ones.

We want them to be accepted for who they are. We want them to have the opportunity to shine and try all the things in life they would like to try. We want them to be part of all the things that most of us take for granted.

Our children and those we care for deserve to live life as everyone else does, even though there may be some obstacles and challenges in the way. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable in whatever it is they choose to do.

You will see that all of the families in this book have had to advocate for their loved ones in many different ways and you will notice how experiences can vary depending on where they live.

I am honoured these beautiful families have shared their journeys with me in this book.

I hope you enjoy hearing their stories from all over the world as much as I did.

Julie is very passionate about raising awareness for inclusion and acceptance as well as Down syndrome. She wants people to understand that her son and others with disability are people and they deserve to be able to live their lives like everyone else.

In this book, From the Hearts of Mums, you will hear that the mums who share their stories want the same for their children.

You can follow Julie at www.facebook.com/theunexpectedjourneybook www.facebook.com/JulieFisherFamilySupportServices