May Newsletter

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

​On our recent holiday, we once again found the WIFI at our timeshare to be patchy and weak. Management assures us they're addressing it, but for now, our stays are marked by frustrating connectivity issues. Once, holidays were a time to unplug; now, with streaming services like Netflix, reliable WIFI feels almost as essential as food and water. In addition, as a Distance Family video calls were off the table during that time – not ideal.

One group that knows poor WIFI all too well is missionary families, who often live in remote or dangerous locations with limited infrastructure.
I'm excited to share that I’ve been invited by #MissionsInterlink — an Australian-based organisation supporting missionary families across generations and across the world — to present a webinar on the unique and shared challenges faced by intergenerational missionary families. This special kind of distance family has much to teach us all.

Anyone is welcome to attend. Click here for more information. Please note: there is a fee to attend, with prices listed in Australian dollars.

Wednesday 7 May 2025, 10am Sydney time

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

​Also, during our recent holiday, I visited several retirement villages. We were staying in New Zealand’s "retirement capital," where there’s certainly no shortage.
​My goal was to donate a copy of Being a Distance Grandparent – A Book for ALL Generations to each village’s residents' library.
At every visit, I received a warm welcome from the receptionist. In some cases, as they grasped the theme of the book, I saw their eyes well up with tears. This is a topic close to many hearts — often quietly tucked away. Some receptionists were migrants themselves and immediately connected with the book’s message. Others, as grandparents, shared how grateful they were to have family nearby — or opened up about their own distance situations.
A day or so later, I was touched to receive this email.

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ON THE HOME FRONT

Over the past month, my right ankle has taken up a lot of mental space. In February — without warning and after years of no trouble — it suddenly flared up. Within days, I was equipped with a knee scooter, moon boot, and a raft of appointments. All this, of course, happened while our U.S. family was visiting.
I’ve since had X-rays, an ultrasound, an MRI, and countless consultations with physios, podiatrists, doctors, and finally an orthopaedic surgeon.
The verdict: I have very flat feet (that wasn't new news!) a congenital issue with two ankle bones and I need an ankle replacement. But first, they would have to remove a titanium rod that's been happily embedded in my tibia for 23 years after an old fracture — and it may not come out easily, if at all.
Meanwhile, my ankle has been settling. Thanks to a cortisone injection, it’s functioning reasonably well. Knowing it will never be perfect, but is "good enough" for now, I approached the surgeon to ask if we could delay the first stage of surgery, originally booked for July, and instead ramp up the use of orthotics. Thankfully, he agreed — he’s not one to operate unless necessarily.

​Behind all of this has been another concern: that my ability to travel freely and visit family could be compromised. It’s hard enough managing physical limitations at home, let alone facing the demands of long-haul flights. So my plan is to stay surgery-free through 2025 and aim to visit family in 2026. My footwear is now fully orthotic-friendly — and if that’s what it takes to stay mobile, I’m all in.

​Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
 
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