Hi, I’m Kate, and I’m thrilled to be stepping into the world of blogging with Vitaflo!
I’m 41 years old, living in sunny Queensland, and I have Classical PKU. My life has been a series of twists and turns, much like managing PKU itself. I’m a proud mum of two healthy, non-PKU biological children, and I also have two wonderful step kids with my husband, Josh.
Growing up in regional Queensland with PKU wasn’t exactly an easy ride. My mum and I would travel 8 hours just to get to the nearest PKU clinic in Brisbane. Those long road trips felt like a rite of passage, especially in the early days in my Mum’s little Gemini with plastic seats and no air conditioning! It was challenging, to say the least, especially in a time when dietary options were more limited than they are now. Like many teens, I ended up slipping off the PKU diet from when I was about 16 – it all just felt too hard. PKU events were far and few between and I went to my first PKU camp in Sydney when I was 17. It was the first time I felt like I truly fitted in.
At 22, I packed my bags and flew off to England, chasing a job working with horses in Belgium. I never made it to Belgium thanks to an injury, but little did I know I’d spend 14 years living in England! I didn’t like it there, but I did love the PKU diet in the UK. The treatment was more flexible, and the diet had far fewer restrictions. Foods like sweet potatoes, pumpkin and mushrooms were freely allowed. I was so relieved to find products that I’d never dreamed of having access to back home, like the Fate baking mixes (which we are now fortunate enough to have access to!). I’ll never forget the moment I met Eileen Green, the woman behind those life-changing mixes—I cried like a fan meeting their idol! I loved being able to attend lots of different PKU events, as I loved feeling that connection with other PKU patients, and it really helped with remaining accountable with my diet.
In 2020, after a major life change, I moved back to Australia, landing just before the COVID-19 borders shut tight. Coming back to the stricter Australian PKU diet has been tough—it almost feels like stepping back in time—but I’m managing the best I can. These days, I’m on 8g of protein a day, with four PKU coolers and Kuvan to keep my levels in check.
Professionally, I’ve worn many hats. I started out as an award-winning photojournalist before diving into marketing communications and public relations. Now, I’m part of Queensland Health’s media team at my local hospital and health service. I’m also a qualified personal trainer and Pilates instructor, specialising in pelvic floor strengthening and rehabilitation. I’m also a horse riding instructor!
When I’m not working or managing life with PKU, you’ll find me outdoors, riding and working with horses, with my camera in hand, or planning my next travel adventure. I can’t wait to share my journey with you all—living with PKU can be tough, but together, we can make the ride a little smoother!
