On the morning of our interview, Ali had already attended a parent-teacher meeting for her young son before heading in for another round of treatment.

“I met his teacher and worked out his long- and short-term goals. It’s really special to be able to spend those moments with him as well.”

For Ali, those everyday moments mean everything.

Living with cancer means life is often measured in appointments, treatments and recovery days. Every fortnight, Ali spends hours receiving chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Some days she uses a walker to help manage fatigue. She takes extra precautions to protect her immune system and carefully balances treatment with family life.

Yet when she talks about her life, her focus isn’t on hospitals or medication.

It’s on her son.

“I recently had a photoshoot with little man so this photo is from that. The photographer was Mel from A shot above the rest photography. A beautiful woman who photographed special moments for my son to keep.” – Ali

“He’s doing well. Started preschool, which I didn’t think I’d get to see, so I’m very grateful I got to take him to his first day.”

Moments like that are what keep her moving forward.

A few months earlier, however, life looked very different.

“I was getting close enough to potentially be discharged, but after being in the hospital for four months I was very nervous about going back to my home environment.”

Her palliative care nurse suggested Ali try a stay at Leo’s Place.

Leo’s Place is Palliative Care ACT’s non-clinical respite home for people living with life-limiting illness. Unlike a hospital ward, Leo’s Place offers a peaceful, home-like environment where guests can rest, recharge and access support while maintaining their independence.

For some people, it provides respite from the demands of treatment. For others, it offers support for carers. For Ali, it became bridge between hospital and home.

“I had my first night there and I felt so relaxed and it was a nice quiet break from the hospital.”

“I had my first night and it was so relaxing and so lovely that I called the hospital in the morning and said I’d like to stay for a second night.”

At Leo’s Place, Ali started imagining life beyond the hospital walls.

“It really gave me the confidence to realise I could take care of myself.”

She enjoyed simple things many people take for granted: sharing meals, chatting with other guests, participating in activities, having a friend stay overnight, and knowing support was always close by if she needed it.

“I could also be a bit independent but not scared because there was a support staff member there the whole time.”

Today, Ali wants people to understand that Leo’s Place is more than many people imagine.

“It’s not just for older people, it’s for all ages and it’s just a place to rest and recharge.”

She also wants people to know that accepting support doesn’t mean giving up independence. In her case, support helped her regain it.

“It really gave me that confidence to be able to get back into the community, back to my own home.”

Now, between treatments, Ali is focused on enjoying life as it comes.

Preschool drop-offs.

Parent-teacher meetings.

Time spent with family and friends.

The ordinary moments that suddenly feel extraordinary.

For Ali, Leo’s Place wasn’t just somewhere to stay. It helped her return to the people and moments that matter most.

And that’s exactly where she wants to be.