Infuse Infuse 4 June 2018 | Page 5

From the Desk
of Maree Ferguson
Founder & Director, Dietitian Connection
My life has been punctuated
by moments of unexpected – yet
absolute – clarity.

One was hearing Jack Canfield –
the author of Chicken Soup for the Soul
– speak in America, which led me to
found Dietitian Connection. Another
such moment happened for me this year.
A young Queensland dietitian, Holly
Butcher, passed away from Ewing’s
Sarcoma in the early days of 2018.
Reading of her passing struck me
with acute sadness, especially given
the similarities between our lives
(Brisbanites, QUT graduates
and dietitians).
Then I began to read an open letter
from Holly that her family shared on
her Facebook page. It began, “It’s a
strange thing to realise and accept your
mortality at 26 years young.”
When I stopped reading, I came up
with the kernel of an idea that (I hoped)
would pay homage to this incredibly
strong woman’s gift to me.
Out of Holly’s letter was born the Carpe
Diem award, a new annual tribute. The
award honours a dietitian who emulates
Holly’s legacy, recognising traits like
compassion, positive attitude and going
above and beyond. You can read more
about the award – and its inaugural
recipient, Katie Benton - right here
in this issue. It’s our way of thanking
Holly for turning us on our heads, and
reminding us of what matters.
Holly’s words have not left me. Her
lessons have irrevocably changed me.
So if you’ve not read her letter yet, stop
what you’re doing now, and make the
time. You’ll likely be caught off-guard at
how directly it speaks to you. And you’ll
probably find yourself making small
changes that, you hope, honour the
legacy of this brave young woman.
I couldn’t stop reading. Here was a
young woman, facing the end of her life,
yet somehow digging deep to find the
strength to share what she’d learned
with others. (To read Holly’s letter,
click here)
It was Christmas break at the time, and
DC was “closed for business”. I’d been
using the downtime for planning and
strategizing 2018. But as I continued to
read Holly’s letter, all of those plans were
turned upside down, just like that.
© Dietitian Connection
Holly spoke directly to me, and
reminded me of what I’d known all
along – but forgot. Seize the day. Carpe
diem. She handed me a gift.
Thank you, Holly, for reminding us
all to seize the day.
Maree
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Infuse | June 2018