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Mother’s Day Muse: Alexandrena Parker on Defying the Odds and Embracing the Joys of Motherhood
For many, the journey to motherhood is one of anticipation and excitement. For Alexandrena Parker, it was one laced with uncertainty. Living with Cystic Fibrosis, a life-shortening genetic condition that affects the lungs and digestive system. Alexandrena grew up unsure if motherhood would ever be part of her story. But this Mother's Day, she’s celebrating not just the gift of being a mum, but the resilience, strength, and love that brought her here.
“I’m Alexandrena Parker and becoming a mother is something I never thought I would get to experience. Not because I didn’t want to, but because I was born with a life-threatening lung and digestive disease called Cystic Fibrosis.”
“Growing up, my future always felt uncertain. I honestly didn’t even think I’d live out my thirties, let alone become a mum.”
Alexandrena’s health has always been a rollercoaster, but everything changed in 2011 when her grandfather gave her what she calls “the greatest gift”, a second chance at life. He paid $300,000 for her to access life-saving medication only available in the US at the time.
“That treatment didn’t just change my health, it completely changed the path of my life,” she says. “It gave me the chance to dream bigger, to live fully, and it gave me the chance to become Ruby’s mum.”
Today, Alexandrena is a proud mum to eight-year-old Ruby, and while life with a chronic illness presents daily challenges, it has also given her an outlook that many parents might never have.
“Being a mother whilst navigating chronic illness hasn’t been easy but in many ways I do feel lucky. I’ve had the kind of perspective most people don’t get. I know how fragile and how precious life is. That clarity has shaped the way I parent. It’s made me more present, more grateful, and I think it’s made me a lot stronger.”
Her bond with Ruby is extraordinary. There’s admiration in her voice when she talks about her daughter.
“Ruby has taught me more in the last 8 years than anything else in my life. I know I’m biased but she’s honestly such a legend. She’s bright, bold, full of life, people are really drawn to her. She’s such a go-getter.”
As Alexandrena reflects on her own journey into motherhood, she’s quick to honour the woman who shaped her most.
“My own mum has been the biggest influence on me as a person and a mother. She’s been my rock. She’s advocated for me since day one and showed me what it meant to show up even when things are extremely hard.”
This Mother's Day, we honour Alexandrena. Her strength, her story, and her unwavering love. Her path to motherhood wasn’t easy, but it’s a testament to the power of perseverance, hope, and family. Alexandrena reminds us all that even in the face of the unknown, love finds a way.
Alexandrena created a special piece for Mother's Day with Etch Illustrate! Her beautiful daughter, Ruby had always wanted to give her a mum a cat, so this Mother's Day she drew a cat and had it illustrated it onto an engravable piece of jewellery to keep close to her heart always!