all I KNOW
by mary coustas
Mary’s memoir ‘All I Know’ revealed her decade long attempt to become a mother, her 23 IVF attempts and her multiple losses – including the death of her still-born daughter Stevie.
Her story touched the hearts of the nation after it was revealed in a 5 page book extract in the ‘Good Weekend magazine’ as well as on television 2 separate ‘60 Minutes’ stories. Mary’s motto of ‘Nothing good comes from giving up” was uttered on ’60 Minutes’ moments after giving birth to her healthy and beautiful daughter Jamie on the 25th Nov 2013.
The impact of ‘All I Know’
Mary’s heartbreaking odyssey and eventual win to become a mother greatly impacted on the people who read her memoir and who watched her story on 60 Minutes. Families that had experienced the excruciating pain of a still-born child somehow felt that they were no longer alone with their grief. One of life’s biggest taboos was now being spoken of publicly by somebody who like them survived that unimaginable loss. But Mary’s story didn’t stop there. Heartbroken but not defeated Mary continued her quest to become a mother and returned to Greece a further 6 times to try again and again. On her 23rd IVF attempt Mary’s greatest dream came true and her healthy daughter Jamie came into the world.
People who had previously given up after many attempts to become parents were now compelled to follow in Mary’s footsteps. And like Mary so many of them finally achieved what they had previously thought was impossible. This is one of Mary’s greatest legacies.
“Mary thankyou so much for writing your book and talking about the loss of Stevie. It’s a group that you never know about until you find yourself in it. Thankyou so very much for talking about your experiences and making us feel ‘normal’ in our journey. Mary…you have continued to be my inspiration and your book my hope 4th trip overseas ..last chance with tested eggs..we are now at week 15. Thankyou for helping me sooo much.
If it wasn’t for people like you sharing your story we would never have know it was possible…thankyou from the bottom of my heart Mary oooooxxxx”
“Hi Mary, I have been wanting to write to you for many years to tell you what a profoundly amazing influence that you have had on my wife and I during our IVF journey. It’s hard to put into words how much you have inspired us. We both drew strength from your book and from the amazing courage and determination that you have. Because of you we are now achieving our dream of finally becoming parents. Thankyou for telling your story, you have made an enormous difference to our lives. We are forever grateful.”
“I don’t remember a time I have been so moved by a story as I was by the beautifully written and haunting “the children I’ve never known” in the Good Weekend. In some ways I wish I had never known the pain Mary had endured. But to say that is a disservice to Mary’s bravery. I so admire her for sharing this journey in the raw, honest and yet positive way in which she did. I don’t know how a human being steps forward from those experiences.
What an amazing Mumma.”
“Dear Mary,
I am writing to say thank you for sharing your story with all of us. Your honesty, bravery and consistent willingness to continue to live is an inspiration to all of us and I’m was very grateful to have read your book and finally feel like somebody could articulate the depth or devastation I have felt in myself.”