Managing health care can involve much more than attending appointments. There can be referrals, tests, results, medications, paperwork and follow-up to keep track of, alongside the energy involved in planning, asking questions and telling your story again.

This supportive conversation will explore the hidden load of ongoing health care for people living with mitochondrial disease (mito), families and carers.

Guest speaker Shelley Beverley is a registered psychologist and an active member of the mito community. Shelley brings both professional knowledge and personal experience to conversations about wellbeing and life with mito.

Shelley will help open the conversation by sharing reflections on the practical and emotional work that can come with managing ongoing health care. This may include preparing for appointments, keeping track of information and next steps, advocating for your needs and noticing when the load is starting to feel too much.

The session will then make space for a group conversation about what helps. Attendees will have the opportunity to share practical approaches that work for them, hear ideas from others and reflect on where support or shared tasks may make things a little easier.

You are welcome to listen, share or take part in a way that feels comfortable for you. There is no pressure to contribute.

This session provides general wellbeing support and connection. It is not medical advice, therapy or counselling.