Alex's parents were displaced WWII refugees from Europe, eventually moving to Australia where Alex was born in the 1960s. She faced cultural and language barriers growing up.

Because she started school at eight and a half, Alex missed the early formative years. She attended irregularly, faced integration challenges, and was labelled as a slow learner. This led to significant educational hardships.

Introduced to narcotics in high school, Alex used substances to cope, which led to deeper addiction issues. Despite this, she completed her secondary education and enrolled in TAFE.

Immersed in the drug culture, Alex moved to a communal farm and later Sydney’s Kings Cross, where she faced addiction, crime, and survival struggles. She experienced close bonds as well as significant losses.

Alex endured trauma from losing partners to drugs and arrests for criminal activities. A pivotal arrest and subsequent miscarriage marked rock bottom for her and propelled her towards change.

Determined to reinvent herself, Alex pursued her education, acquiring degrees in forensic medicine and mental health. She focused on understanding trauma and healing. Alex now travels globally, sharing her story of survival and transformation. She runs a private practice, has written a book, and enjoys her role as a grandmother to her five grandchildren.

*****

We hope that you enjoyed this episode of Kintsugi Heroes.

Please take care: if you have been triggered by listening to this episode we recommend you get in contact with someone who can help keep you safe and give you the support you need. This may be Lifeline, AA, a friend, a counsellor, or some other support group.

If you’d like to share your story on Kintsugi Heroes, please get in touch by contacting us via the website here - https://www.kintsugiheroes.com.au/contact

We hope you continue enjoying the heroes stories!

Warmly,

The Kintsugi Heroes team

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Theme Song: "Broken" by Colin Lillie

This episode of Kintsugi Heroes was made possible with support from the Community Broadcasting Foundation. Find out more at cbf.org.au.