Heartstrong: Chumpy, Minnie & Me

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In that moment, the "crazy, weird decision" of sperm retrieval was simply about the option of having Chumpy's baby in the future. One of my favourite parts of this story was when Chumpy's dad Chris wrote a few chapters on Chumpy's upbringing and their life as a family. It is just so clear that they are such a beautiful family and I think it was really special that they shared some intimate family memories - I feel honored to have read them. I can't imagine from Ellidy's perspective how it would have felt from losing the love of her life and beginning her pregancy journey alone. I have so much respect for her for sharing her story which I'm sure will help so many people - Grief & IVF are no joke, especially paired together. A Gold Coast fertility surgeon, Andrew Davidson, carried out the procedure, racing to recover and then freeze viable sperm. From that moment, Ellidy's world stopped. There was deep grief, disbelief and then the gradual realisation that this was real. Ellidy's partner of eight years, a World Champion snowboarder, a man of energy and music, was gone. And so was the life they had built together and the dream of the child they had been trying for. In the hours that followed a suggestion was made: did Ellidy want to harvest Chumpy's sperm and try for the baby they both wanted so deeply? If I can help other people who are grieving, teach or show people how they can celebrate a life that’s no longer here and keep that person’s memory alive, or normalise talking about grief, I’ll do that.

Heartstrong by Ellidy Pullin | Goodreads

To Ellidy & Minnie - Thank you for sharing your life / story with the rest of us. The strength that you have is truly INCREDIBLE, I know it can’t always be easy but I truly believe your story will help so many people in all different walks of life. I’m so sorry for all of the loss that has followed you in the last few years but I’m truly grateful you are both here. The way that my brother asked me was quite urgent from memory, and I think I just said, 'Yes, whatever. I don't even know what you're talking about.'" Six months later, Ellidy tried IVF treatment. The second round worked and, nine months later, Minnie was born healthy and strong. I think it is just so apparent that Chumpy was an incredible and other-wordly human being that touched so many lives and has left an incredible legacy. Sorrow meant it took Ellidy a number of months to be strong enough to start IVF. The first round didn't work. But the second did.

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Time really does help to heal a little bit.” Ellidy said the grief of losing Alex came and went in waves. Credit: Seven Friends and family were saying sperm retrieval was an option. But within hours it would be too late. Ellidy had to decide.

Heartstrong by Ellidy Pullin | 9780733649219 | Booktopia

Ellidy said writing Heart Strong, along with co-writer Alley Pascoe, had been a “super-therapeutic” experience. All I have left is this story. This stupid story I wish I didn’t have to tell.” Ellidy with Minnie. Credit: Seven It blew my mind how much he’s still here and making sure El knows it. (The van playing his music 🥹😲) Using the sperm of a dead person to have a child raises obvious moral, ethical and religious issues. A few people have said to me that they're really excited to read this book but feel a put off or scared because they know it will make them sad. All I can say is that, yes, it made me sad and I cried (a lot), but it's not the sort of sadness that leaves you feeling empty without purpose. I felt so much love and hope as well, and Minnie, Ellidy's daughter, is such a beautiful example of a rainbow after a storm.

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Heartstrong is out now. Your cookie settings are preventing this third party content from displaying. I hated hearing that ‘time does heal’ line at first, but it is true, the waves get longer apart and further apart each time,” she said.

Ellidy lost her partner, Chumpy Pullin, in a freak accident Ellidy lost her partner, Chumpy Pullin, in a freak accident

From that moment, Ellidy’s world stopped. There was deep grief, disbelief and then the gradual realisation that this was real. Ellidy’s partner of eight years, a World Champion snowboarder, a man of energy and music, was gone. And so was the life they had built together and the dream of the child they had been trying for. In the hours that followed a suggestion was made: did Ellidy want to harvest Chumpy’s sperm and try for the baby they both wanted so deeply? This story has truly truly touched my soul and I don’t think I’ll be forgetting what I’ve read any time soon. Life is so so short and you just never know how much one decision truly will impact not only your life but everyone else’s lives around you.Heartstrong is an unforgettable book about love, joy, grief, hope and finding a way to keep going in the darkest of times. I have been anticipating the release of 'Heartstrong' for some time as I've been a long-time follower of Ellidy & a listener of her podcast 'Darling Shine' It was hard, there were obviously really difficult moments, but I think when you tell a story, you kind of have to tell the whole story.” In it, she wrote about the small bit of comfort she took from knowing Chumpy died somewhere he loved to be - in the water. There have been countless people who have come to me whose partners have died, and they’ve said, ‘thanks for sharing your story, I’ve now been able to retrieve my partner’s sperm and I’m trying for a baby.’”

Heart strong: Ellidy Pullin on the life-shifting loss of her

This book is full of both and so much more as well. Life. Death. Everything in-between and afterwards. Your heart and soul will run the full gauntlet of emotions by reading this book. You’ll lose a little bit of yourself to it. It’s an incredibly moving read and I dare you to not feel something while reading this. Nope. I started and finished this book in one sitting I was captivated by this incredible memoir that shared the story of Ellidy, Minnie and ofcourse the story of Alex ‘Chumpy’ Pullin in life and in death, I’ve never felt this before about someone I’ve never met but I’m in awe of the human he was and the lives he touched and just the way he lived his life.I just know what Chumpy would want to do, so and I couldn't care less what anyone thinks," she said.