“What is so moving about Rachel’s story is not about how close to death she’s come, its how close to life. Although she’s experienced profound grief and loss, she has seen humanity and abundance in typically unseen places, and told people to look, to pay attention. When she speaks, you can hear joy and pain all at once; this is clearly someone who has felt the extremes of life and held the tension. While she works closely with words, and advocates for more empowering language to be used in healthcare, she also believes there is more to communication than what we say. That’s one of the lessons her daughter Evie taught her. That when we quiet the mind and feel the connection, there’s actually an entire conversation going on right there between our bodies.”

“In the 25 years that I have been organising and involved with the ASA, yours was the best opening address I have ever seen. And we’ve had politicians and celebrities and all sorts of people. We look at medicine in a very narrow way, we label and categorise everything and everyone. It is so good to be reminded that there is another way of looking at things. Thank you!”

“Rachel’s talk should be compulsory for all medical students!”

“Hi Rachel,
Just wanted to let you know how great you were at DFTB 17. You have revitalised and revolutionised my clinical approach to my patients, and the copies of your book that you signed for me have found a good home.
Keep up the great work…it matters!!
”

“Thank you for your powerful story, and your willingness to share at our recent AH Conference. While we are still going through the process of collating and analysing the feedback we received, I have had multiple anecdotal conversations, and people relating the impact that your words have had. You speak with such a simple but powerful message, and I know that it has touched and impacted many who heard you speak. ”

“I am still in awe of the recent talk you gave me and my colleagues at the Courage and Innovation Conference for Southern District Health Board. I truly believe you have changed my clinical practice forever ... One small step at a time! You are amazing.”

“What can I say? Just.... WOW! WOW! Not only are you an amazing, loving, caring, intuitive being, you hold a room in the palm of your hand and nurture them and guide them to be better people. What a gift you possess. Thank you! ”

“There are 3 things in my life I will never forget, even as I get old and start to lose my memory. The first is my wedding day, the second, the time I went snorkelling in the most amazing ocean and the third, is your presentation you gave to the ASA. ”

“I feel privileged to have heard you talk today. Thank you for sharing. I am going to strive to be that understanding Paediatrician that communicates in an empathetic, empowering way to parents.”

“Everyone loves your book! They find it original, moving, smart and beautiful. It works so well as counter-narrative to the medicalization of these kids.”

“Rachel,
You rock!!
Nothing but positive feedback. Your workshop prompted so much in the way of deep reflective thinking and how we make it all more of a reality, so you hit the nail on the head from this perspective.
You have such a gift in cutting to the chase of what we are here for… all too often this can get lost, so thank you for being a “pathfinder”… maybe that could be your new job title??

I hope to be in touch again soon for the next bright idea.
”

“Why oh why did I wear eyeliner! ”