HELP me to get to Lipoedema conference - August 2025

Hi, my name is Natasha I'm 44-year-old aboriginal women from Mossman Far North Queensland. I am raising funds to get myself to my first Lipoedema conference (Not to be confused with Lymphedema). 21st August to 26th August 2025.

Lipoedema is a chronic medical condition that is a buildup of adipose tissue (fat) in the legs, arms. It often causes pain, swelling, heaviness, loose skin, easy bruising, and the feeling of nodules under the skin. These nodules often feel like rice, pearls, or walnuts under the skin.

When I was mid-way through high school I started to gain weight in my buttocks, and hips. It seemed to advance quite quickly and every few months I seemed to be getting wider and wider. My mother doing what good mums do ensured that its ok and that "your grandmother was like your shape" and "it's how your made". By 26 years old I knew this was not normal, yes I acknowledge I'm overweight, but I don't look like regular overweight people. For many, many, many years doctors told me that I am just obese and to do exercise and eat a balanced diet however no matter how much I exercised and how little I was eating I was gaining more and more kilos. I had been getting 10th and 11th opinions from pretty much every doctor in my area, and it was always the same reply. After much research in 2015 I felt I needed, and the only solution was to have weight loss surgery and that will fix everything. I underwent gastric sleeve surgery and within the first 12months I only lost 7kg, my surgeon was very confused and could not tell me what was wrong with me. I continued doing what I have always been doing plenty of exercise and eating little to nothing, this then resulted in overuse of my knees and hip problems at just 40 not to mention all the other issues that come with the surgery.

I had serious mental health issues and had thoughts of taking my own life just to be rid of the pain and public opinions. It wasn't until a nurse friend had sought me out to tell me about an education session she attended, and they were talking about Lipoedema and everything that was being discussed she said "it's YOU". After both crying, we managed to start researching and seeking the appropriate professionals to finally know what I was dealing with.

After a lot of psychologist visits, seeing a Vascular Occupational Therapist and forwarding all the education materials I could find to my GP I finally KNOW what is wrong with me. Unfortunately, by this time I was diagnosed at a late stage 4, and this was disheartening because if diagnosed at stage 1 Lipoedema can be reversed and or slowed down completely.

As the years have gone on my mobility is becoming effected and this in turn effects my social interactions. Since being diagnosed I actively educate individuals of the condition and advocate and promote acceptance.

Therefore, attending this conference I will gain firsthand knowledge of any treatments and therapy's available as well as research studies that may open (I am eager to apply and be a part of these studies). Lipoedema is a baby in the research world it has only been fully researched since 2009.

I hope to raise enough funds to get to Canberra, find suitable accommodation and cover the registration fee to attend. If there is any excess funds raised over my goal, I plan to donate to Lipoedema Australia.

This is the first time I have done anything like this, I never ask for help, so it feels strange to be here doing this. I'm hopeful I can get to this event with YOUR help.

Flights if I can purchase on a special will be close to $1350 return (As I have to purchase 2 seats on the plane for myself).

Accommodation to get close to the event and within walking distance will be close to $1600 (it near parliment house)

Event registraion $555

Incidentals (Food, transportation) $495