March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 9 women Australia wide and Jaime Trewartha is one of them. The disease often starts in teenagers, but often takes 7 to 12 years to diagnose!

Jaime is sharing her Endometriosis diagnosis story with us and is hosting a High Tea Fund-Raiser next weekend, raising money and awareness to help find a cure for Endometriosis.

A bit about you and any link(s) to the Fleurieu and/or Kangaroo Island:

I am a working mum with two beautiful young boys 11months and 3yo. I have lived in the Fleurieu since I was child and grew up in Victor Harbor. My husband is a second-Generation Beekeeper for Do Bee Honey. You probably would have come across the family business at the local Willunga Farmers Markets and Adelaide Show Grounds.

You are organising a special fundraiser please share the details of the event as well as the passion and reason behind it.

While sitting at home in recovery after my second surgery in 5 years and wanting to share my story, I was left with this knowing feeling that I could do more to spread awareness. Unsure at how far my reach would go, I got to work and created this beautiful Fundraiser. I feel so strongly about this cause, not because of my diagnosis with Endometriosis but more so my journey to get that diagnosis.

It started when I was 24, I was living in Darwin NT. I went to 6 different Drs complaining of my symptoms and every time I was brushed off with these ridiculous comments from the GPs, and by the end I had one GP ask if I was making this up. I was shocked and outraged that my concerns were not addressed. I was left feeling pretty worthless and living and dealing with constant pain, it starts to weigh you down and from there I also ended up with depression. With that after a volleyball game gone wrong, a team mate finally said to me, Go see my GP, I guarantee you will not leave without feeling like you have been heard…..from there, all the test under the sun, surgery the next month and I was clinically diagnosed with Endometriosis….. Finally!! I could put a name to it. I have recently started to Blog about this you can find me at Endo_awareness_space on Instagram.

Tells us more about you. What do you do for work?

I have dabbled a lot in the work force, from Hair-dressing, Retail assistant, civilian contractor for the Defence Force, working in a cellar door, Waitress and a Dental Assistant.

My two favourites, a waitress for Chef Steele Catering based in Willunga. Mainly working at weddings and special events it was always such a happy job, a great distraction as I like to keep busy, I since gave that up this year as working two jobs with a young family was hard work.

I am a dental Assistant at the Victor Harbor and Normanville Dental Surgery, and like the saying goes, if you love your job, you never work a day in your life.

You live in Aldinga. Have you always lived in this part of the Fleurieu? If not, how did you end up here?

I grew up in Victor Harbor, its where all my family currently still is. I ended up living in Aldinga Beach to be where my husband is. We love the Coast, we love the Hills so having a place that I close to both, it was a no brainer for me.

What is it that makes you proud of the place you live and work?

As I live and work in really 3 different locations Aldinga Beach Silver Sands, Victor Harbor and Normanville I am just grateful to be able to be surrounded by all that we have. The beautiful coast lines, to be next to one if the best wine regions is a bonus too. Taking the Scenic route to work via the Myponga Reservoir, the Fleurieu really is breath taking, plus we have some pretty good locals too.

On a more personal note, tell us a little about Jaime and what you love to do out of work.

Playing Hockey for the Victor Harbor Hockey club was a huge part of my life. It consumed me for about 22 years but after having a family, that part of my life slowly ended as I wanted to put family life first.

What is something many locals would not know about you (that you are willing to share!)

To pursue my need to work while my oldest boy was a baby, I worked alongside my mother-in-law selling reusable Beeswax Bags and Wraps at the Willunga Farmers Market, every Saturday. I have a huge passion for the environment and reducing our physical footprint for our future generation, especially my two beautiful boys.

Jaime's TOP TIPS for the Fleurieu Peninsula / Kangaroo Island:

Best place to....

• Grab a quick bite…Harvest the Fleurieu at Mount Compass.
• Have a more serious feed… at Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale
• Get a cuppa… Maxwells Grocery in Aldinga is a great place to unwind.
• Have a beer (or cold drink)... Folk Tree Brewery Normanville or the Victory Hotel Sellicks beach
• Taste some wine... Samuels Gorge, Lino Ramble, ekidna and Wirra Wirra
• Go for a dip… The beautiful clear water at Silver Sands.
• Explore nature… adventuring with the boys through Kuipto Forrest and Hindmarsh Falls. 

When I’m on the Fleurieu and/or KI, I…

• feel…like I am Home. Everything is in reach.
• always make sure I visit… Willunga Farmers Market, a great morning spent socialising with the locals and shopping some the freshest produce around.
• stock up on… Do Bee Honey and Wine.

Best memory of being here:

Getting married on a property backing onto the Aldinga Scrub, A family Friend’s property.

Most colourful character I’ve run into:

There are so many, so hard to just name one!

My best piece of advice for anyone heading to the region: 

Take your time and enjoy your visits slowly. Spread it out, don’t rush… there is so much beauty here.

Check out Jaime's blog here

Jaime and Megan are hosting a high tea on Sunday 28 March at the Aldinga Secret Garden - All funds raised will go to Endometriosis Australia. Read full story with details HERE. Check out details on the Fleurieu App Events page HERE