Success for photographer & social media manager Ellie Clare the result of dedication after life challenges

A South West photographer and social media manager who fell into a deep depression following a workplace accident has shared how finding her passions, helping others and caring for her rescue dog has helped lift her out of tough times. Ellie Clare was lucky to escape without any permanent paralysis from the 2012 accident which left her with a damaged spine, but the inability for her to be active in the aftermath led to a dark place. “I suffered with mental illness, depression — I got to a point in my life where I had decided I was going to commit suicide because I just couldn’t cope with the new normal for me,” she said. Things all changed where she found her rescue dog online, describing it as giving her the spark she need to want to live and push through her mental health challenges. “I fought every day in order to be there for him, that’s kind of the way I look at it,” she said. Also of assistance was Ms Clare’s family, community members and the Federal Government’s New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, which seeks to help new business owners. She said underwent a lot of personal development, going from a deep depression to being confident enough to speak to an audience. “The first presentation I did in front of a group of people I fainted,” Ms Clare said. “I was so anxious and nervous within myself because I didn’t think I deserved that. “I had a lot of trouble talking to groups of people, there was a lot of impostor syndrome. In the last two years, this has completely changed.” Ms Clare tries to assist those who cannot afford marketing assistance from bigger companies at a price they can. Despite travelling all over Australia, she said she always gets drawn back to the region. “Every time I sort of get homesick I am really drawn to the (South West) community, the feeling that you get, Ms Clare said. “Life is worth living and everything does get better, you’ve just got to be willing to put the effort in.” Lifeline 13 11 14