Real Talk, Real Tears, Real Growth 💖

Monday, June 23, 2025

OMGosh… where do I even start?! 😭✨

Our school went on this AMAZING excursion to Stand Tall 2025 at Darling Harbour and I’m still not over it!! It was held at the HUGE ICC stadium (actually massive – felt like we were walking into a concert or something 😮). And guess what? 72 schools were invited!!! The vibes were EVERYTHING.

 

The whole day was about life, dealing with the ups and downs, and self-empowerment 💪✨ And seriously… it hit me.

 

We heard from so many inspiring people, but the one that made me cry (like actual tears) was Michael Crossland. His story was unreal.

 

This poor guy… he had cancer at just 11 months old 🥺 He lost all his hair, his eyelashes, even his eyebrows. He’s been fighting cancer basically his whole life. Like, one thing after another – he just couldn’t catch a break, but now… he’s CANCER FREE!!! 😭🎉 Hearing him talk about it was so emotional, but also so powerful and it made me reflect on my own medical/disability journey from when I was 11 months old.

He has two kids — his oldest is a boy and the youngest is a girl. You could tell how much he loved them, and honestly, there wasn't a dry eye in the room 😢

Then we heard from Leila Abdallah, and wow… just wow. Her story was so heartbreaking but also filled with so much strength. She talked about her loss and how her family found a way to move forward. It made me think so much about life and how important it is to love your family 💔👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

 

To end the day on a high, there were live performances! 🎤🎶

TIMOMATIC was there!! (Yes, Timomatic 😍) He even performed his new single and it was a HIT! He’s apparently really close with the people running the event, and it was sooo cool to see him live.

All in all, it was one of the best excursions ever. I laughed, I cried, I danced, I felt so many feelings. But most of all, I left feeling stronger, more grateful, and ready to stand up tall 💖💪

 

If you ever get the chance to go to Stand Up Tall – DO IT!!! It’ll change your life. 🫶

 

💛 Need someone to talk to? You're never alone 💛

Sometimes big stories and deep feelings can bring up emotions, and that’s totally okay. If you ever need support or someone to chat with:

 

🧒 For Kids & Teens:
📞Kids Helpline – 1800 55 1800
💬kidshelpline.com.au
Free, private and available 24/7. You can call, chat online or email a counsellor.

 

🧑 For Adults & Everyone:
📞Lifeline Australia – 13 11 14
💬lifeline.org.au
24/7 crisis support and mental health help for anyone, any age.

 

📞 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636
💬beyondblue.org.au
Support for anxiety, depression and mental wellbeing — open 24/7.

 

🌈 For LGBTQIA+ People:
📞QLife – 1800 184 527
💬qlife.org.au (webchat available 3pm–midnight)
Free and anonymous support for LGBTQIA+ people of all ages.

 

You matter. Always. 💫

 

Thanks for reading,
Marli 🌈

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