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When you meet David Fox, you might first notice the calm strength of a lifelong martial artist. What you might not see right away is the courage it takes to live each day with Parkinson’s disease — a condition he’s faced for nearly 15 years. Once a fierce competitor on the karate mat, David’s battles today are far more profound. This isn’t about trophies anymore — it’s about navigating life with dignity, confronting stigma, and offering hope to others walking a similar path.

David's story begins not with a doctor's diagnosis, but with a chance observation from a chiropractor friend during Bikram yoga teacher training in Las Vegas. "He saw me tremoring," David recalls, "and said 'I think they're Parkinsonian tremors.'" That night, David researched the condition and recognised every symptom in himself – the micrographia, slurred speech, and tremors that had been present for five years without proper identification. This delayed diagnosis represents a systemic failure that David believes needs urgent attention.

The conversation reveals the profound stigma faced by those with Parkinson's. From being denied entry to venues because security assumes he's drunk, to having his bag searched by suspicious store security who profiled him based on his symptoms – these everyday indignities compound the physical challenges of the disease. Yet through it all, David maintains not just dignity but extraordinary capability. He continues teaching karate students in his backyard, gradually rebuilding strength after a life-threatening brain hemorrhage. "The main problem for people with Parkinson's," he observes, "is they don't do enough to keep themselves active."

Perhaps most striking is David's call for greater awareness about Parkinson's diversity. He notes that only 35% of patients experience tremors, while the condition takes approximately five years to diagnose. His message to policymakers is direct: "I want them to throw as much money on Parkinson's as they did on COVID." His book, "The Way of the Pigeon," offers philosophical lessons drawn from observing birds navigate challenges – flying away from danger without resentment and surviving in diverse environments without resorting to aggressive tools.

Listen to this remarkable conversation and discover how a martial artist's discipline can transform the experience of living with a progressive condition. If you've been touched by Parkinson's or seek inspiration from those who refuse to surrender to circumstance, this episode offers rare insight into resilience that transcends physical limitation.

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What happens when compassion crosses continents? Astrid Hocking, Lake Macquarie's Woman of the Year, joins us live from the Philippines to share her extraordinary journey of protecting the vulnerable and building resilient communities.

From the orphanage that rescues children from trafficking to teaching young mothers income-generating skills, Astrid reveals how small acts of kindness create profound change. Her stories are breathtaking – finding an abandoned baby in a plastic bag who's now thriving with adoptive parents, watching disabled adults flourish on self-sustaining farms, and seeing traumatised children grow into successful adults simply because someone believed in them.

The Umbrella Hearts program, symbolised by an orange ribbon, has grown from a local initiative to an international movement shifting conversations around child protection. Astrid's approach emphasises dignity, consultation, and changing the narrative from "you can't" to "you can" – proving that sustainable change comes when people are empowered rather than merely helped.

This conversation isn't just about charity work abroad; it's about practical ways we can all contribute to stronger communities right where we are. Astrid's philosophy that "everyone needs support and kindness" reminds us that our small actions matter, whether comforting a struggling parent at the grocery store or mentoring a local teen. Her 50-year marriage and partnership with her husband, Frank, also demonstrate how support behind the scenes makes front-line compassion possible.

Would you be ready to make a difference? Visit www.heartsandhands.net.au to learn how you can join this movement of everyday heroes creating extraordinary change.

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What happens when men finally find a space where they can be vulnerable without judgment? Lives transform, connections form, and healing begins.

Dave Martin, Director at Survivors R Us and founder of Sons of the Phoenix, knows firsthand the devastating silence that surrounds men's trauma. After experiencing profound loss, including three children, and spiralling into depression that nearly ended his life, Dave discovered something crucial: men desperately need safe spaces to connect with others who understand.

Sons of the Phoenix was born from this realisation. Named for the mythical bird that rises renewed from ashes, this support initiative helps men rebuild after hitting rock bottom. The symbolism resonates deeply with participants - men who have been knocked down but possess the innate capacity to rise again.

Dave shares a remarkable success story of two strangers who met through the program. Both homeless, they formed an unexpected bond and now share housing, holding each other accountable through life's challenges. It's a powerful testament to what becomes possible when men drop their guards and form authentic connections.

The program operates within the SRU Community Hub, offering a progressive pathway from initial support groups to social connections at "Ken's Corner" and practical activities like woodworking. This holistic approach addresses both emotional needs and the healing power of purposeful creation.

With raw honesty, Dave reveals his own journey through grief, depression, and suicidal thoughts, highlighting how one phone call to a friend saved his life. His vision now extends beyond local impact - he dreams of taking Sons of the Phoenix nationwide, particularly to rural areas where isolation compounds mental health struggles.

Ready to witness transformation in your life or someone you care about? Visit survivorsrusincorporated.com or call 02 4953 7108 to learn more about Sons of the Phoenix and other support programs. Sometimes the bravest act is simply reaching out.

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