Making SHH!T Happen for Sarah’s Birthday

Making SHH!T Happen for Sarah’s Birthday

In August 2016, Sarah Joyce’s life changed in an instant. What began as flu-like symptoms quickly escalated, and within days, she was placed in an induced coma with a 5% chance of survival.

At the time, Sarah was 30 — a dedicated nurse, widely recognised for her innovation in healthcare, and a recipient of the HESTA Nursing Award. But when she began experiencing high fevers, vomiting, and chills, she had no idea she was facing Meningococcal Strain W — a deadly and aggressive infection. As her condition worsened, Sarah’s organs began to fail, and her family were told to prepare for the worst.

Nine days later, Sarah woke up.

Her journey since then has been anything but easy. She’s undergone over 75 operations. She’s had her spleen, gallbladder, and large bowel removed. She’s received a kidney transplant, lives with an ileostomy, and has experienced limb amputations.

Through all of it, Sarah has continued forward — with courage, with purpose, and with heart.

Advocacy Through Lived Experience

In the years since, Sarah has become a recognised voice in advocacy — especially around visibility and representation for people with medical devices, surgical scars, and long-term health conditions. She speaks openly about body image, the medical system, and the complexities of adapting to a life she never planned for.

Her efforts have had national impact. Sarah’s advocacy helped secure formal recognition of World Meningitis Day in Australia. She’s received a personal letter from the Federal Minister for Health, and her story has been shared in Parliament.

She’s been featured across major media — from A Current Affair and Channel 9 to Mamamia, news.com.au, and local radio. In 2023, she received the National Disability Leadership Change Making Award, acknowledging her work to shift narratives and improve outcomes for others.

Sarah was also our first-ever SHH!T Happens customer — and we’ve been proud to know her since day one.

A Birthday Worth Celebrating

On her 38th birthday — eight years after that life-altering moment — we surprised Sarah with a photoshoot designed to honour her story, her strength, and her continued impact.

When you live with illness or disability, your body can sometimes be viewed through a medical lens — as something to fix, manage, or measure. But behind every scar, device, or diagnosis is a full person — someone with joy, style, pride, and individuality.

So, on this day, we celebrated Sarah’s body as it is — not in spite of what it’s been through, but because of it.

We captured beautiful moments at her home, surrounded by white roses. We visited the beach on the Central Coast. And yes, we even stopped traffic at the local 7/11.

Most importantly, we made space for Sarah to feel seen, celebrated, and powerful — as she so often does for others.

Thank You, Sarah

Sarah’s journey continues, and we’ll be cheering her on through every step, surgery, and milestone ahead.

To know her is to admire her. To work with her is to be inspired by her.

Happy birthday, Sarah — and thank you for making SHH!T happen from the very beginning.