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Jess L

Help me reach my goal of $750

Why I swim

I’m swimming this March because too many young lives are lost to suicide. Every lap I swim will help make sure there’s a safe place for young people to turn when life feels overwhelming.

Swimmer
In 2017 I was diagnosed with left sided heart failure-- it was not where I ever expected to find myself, but if I'm honest probably wasn't really that huge of a surprise given my lifetime of congenital heart defects and the old case of the missing left lung at birth.

I managed very well for a lot of my life despite many hospital stays and a myriad of other issues concerning most of my left-sided organs. I have met mortality in the face many times and I would say I have a healthy fear of not wanting my condition to worsen.

Daily, I take around 20 pills and inject myself once a week to ensure that I have the best chance at living a life that is akin to normal as possible, knowing that has time has lingered I've had to adjust and accept that I can't always do the things that I could do a decade ago like traveling overseas or walking too far without a very patient companion...

The biggest surprise for me was how my mental health issues ramped up after losing my Mum and having the person that knew my conditions better than me, helping me deal with and organise everything.

I have always suffered from deep anxiousness, having my first panic attack after suffering a massive internal haemmorhage at 11 years old. It wasn't until I was in my adult years that I realised that I suffered what we now refer to as functioning depression (although some days it is less functional than others) and at times, on and off, severe obsessive compulsive disorder. For this, I have been medicated on and off, without shame for many years because it is all I can do for my friends and family to be at my best for as much as I have going on.

Because of all this, I have found in the past 12-15 months that physical exercise has absolutely been my saving grace along with my medications. I have been able to feel confident within myself and no longer feel depressed about having to leave the house because walking feels tough, or not being able to do stuff because I can't "go that far", or "what if I get sick", etc. In February 2025 I began working closely with a PT and building my strength back up and not making excuses when I have every single reason to, and I have managed to feel better than I did in 2022,2023 and 2024 -- I've all but given up alcohol (except for a social drink) and have learned to eat significantly better.

I am still anxious about my health -- I don't think that will ever go away, but despite my heart failure and many other shitty diagnosis relating to my physical health, I have decided to set a goal for march, and that's to swim 30km. Each swim session I do, I average around 1.5km and the money I am raising is to go toward mental health care within Australia.

Currenty for me to see a psychologist it is around $200 without any bulk billing -- and I don't consider myself to be on the spectrum that would be at risk if I DIDNT see someone, so I can't imagine how it would be to need help that is not available to me. I also have many in my life who suffer mental health conditions who have had a lot of shocking times trying to navigate the system.

I would love to encourage anyone to join me in this Laps For Life Challenge and create a team with me; you can set your own goal and if you're not a swimmer, just walk some laps, or if you can't do that, a donation would be solid -- but financial times are tough, I know that for sure, so even just sharing this would be great too 🙂

Thanks for reading my little thingo. Thank those of you for always lifting me up when I've been physically and mentally unwell, you are all well loved -- and if you're not OK, please never hesitate to talk to me or someone you trust.

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for young people in Australia.

More than 1 in 3 are experiencing mental health difficulties, yet over a million are not getting the support they need.

ReachOut provides anonymous, free and 100% online services so young people can find a safe place to connect, share and get help when life feels overwhelming.

I’m taking part in Laps for Life to make sure these vital services are always there. Please donate to my fundraiser and help more young people get the support they deserve.

My Swim Progress

Completed

0.00km (0 lap)

My goal

20km

Please help Jess
reach their goal for
youth mental health

Raised

$650

My Goal

$750

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My Impact

Impact

So far I’ve raised $650 to provided 162.4625 young people experiencing mental health difficulties with vital support.

Top Donation

Donation top

$264

Coni & Pepe

Shoutout to Coni & Pepe – my biggest supporter so far with a $264 donation to help young people get the mental health support they need through ReachOut!

Funds Raised

Note: displays max previous 3 years of fundraising only

My Team

The Local Pooligans

Jess L (C)

Raised so far:

$649.85

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My Gallery

Thank you to my
supporters

$263.75

Coni & Pepe

Love you, Jess!

$106.12

Helen Wilkins

Your one tough lady . You go girl!

$33.15

Lee

A great cause 💪. Getting help and support should be free for all.

$33.15

Anonymous

$27.81

Hana NK

Good luck!!

$27.81

Tammy Riddle

$22.58

Louise

Just keep swimming

$22.58

PNI Foundation & Antipodes Partners

Your donation has been matched thanks to our generous partners.

$22.58

Anonymous

$22.58

PNI Foundation & Antipodes Partners

Your donation has been matched thanks to our generous partners.

$22.58

Megan Donovan

You are my hero.

$22.58

Lauren Wright

$22.58

Nicole Rodgers

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