Episodes

In this episode of The Long Road Podcast, host Lisa McKelvey speaks with Sam Carroll about his journey through childhood cancer and life beyond treatment. Sam was diagnosed with cancer at 9 years old and shares his perspective now at 21.

Julie Cross shares her family's journey with autism, offering insights into the challenges and joys of raising a child on the spectrum.

Sasha Stanton shares her family's story of resilience following a devastating farm accident that changed their son Logan's life forever.

Molly Bell shares her experience raising a child with PPP2R1A neuro deficiency disorder, a rare condition affecting gross motor skills and intellectual ability.

A mother shares her family's journey with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, managing her youngest child Will's diagnosis from a remote station, and the challenges of medical motherhood.

Caroline Kiefer shares her incredible story of 17 years advocating for her daughter Alana with GATAD2B-associated neurodevelopmental disorder, while also battling her own breast cancer diagnosis.

Toni Bloor shares her family's urgent journey — her son James survived Burkitt lymphoma at age 5, then as a teenager needed a life-saving heart and lung transplant.

In this episode of The Long Road Podcast, we welcome Susan Crain as our Episode 10 guest. Susan, a mother of three, recounts how a 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 decline, Susan knew something was seriously wrong.

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 cancer. Karlie and her husband, Robert, received the devastating news that their daughter Ellie had leukaemia 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.

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 bonds that grow along the way.

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 bedsides, while they have extensive orthopedic conditions as well.

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.

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 began their long road on day one of Monty's 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.

Tamara Lloyd, together with her husband Jono are raising 3 beautiful children. Life definitely has its challenges with their eldest Kai (13 yo) having high functioning autism. Kai is non verbal, and in her 13 years of raising Kai, Tamara has never heard him say the words I love you. Only a handful of times has she heard him say the name "mum". Yet their bond is so so special. Tamara chats with host, Lisa McKelvey about raising Kai, family life in Goondiwindi QLD and all things autism.

Sarah Moorcroft had always dreamed of having children, and after meeting her husband John and having her first born, soon found out, its not always as straight forward as you would imagine. Sarah chats on the podcast with host, Lisa McKelvey, about her second born son Hunters time at the Queensland Childrens Hospital with inflammation of his heart muscle - Myocarditis, life since, and some of the things she has learnt on this precious journey.

Jen Drummonds son, Rafferty (2) was tragically struck by a car while riding his balance bike, with his family while they were walking their dogs. Rafferty devastatingly sustained a severe traumatic brain injury. Jen chats with host, Lisa McKelvey, about family life since the life changing accident. Jen and her husband Dylan have chosen to pick happiness and make the most of the life that they do have with their family, although its not always easy.

What do you do when your on an adventure of a life time overseas with your husband and 5 kids, when your eldest son becomes increasingly unwell, and after seeking out medical help, you hear the diagnosis - he has a rare AVM on his spinal cord? Brooke Colless has lived this incredible story, its one of love, hope and faith.

Hi and welcome to The Long Road. Hosted by Lisa McKelvey, a mother of 5 children ranging in age from 16 - 5 years old. She lives with her husband Steve in Goondiwindi, QLD. On boxing day 2021, Lisas second eldest son Beau, had a motorbike accident which resulted in a Spinal Cord Injury, at just 12 years old. Lisa has gained so much by speaking with other parents who also have experienced a life changing trauma with their young person.