My Story
Through words, I found my voice. Through resilience, I found my purpose.
Hello Beautiful Souls
I’m Kelly Amanda Lee — the woman behind Reborn the Rose.
My love for writing began at age nine, when one of my early poems was published in Writers of Townsville. Since then, my work has reached national and international audiences, and writing has remained a constant companion throughout my life.
I am a mother of twin sons, a poet, and a lived experience advocate. My personal journey has included domestic violence, complex trauma, and significant health challenges. These experiences have shaped not only my writing, but my commitment to creating spaces that are safe, structured, and respectful.
After relocating from Townsville to Mackay, I began rebuilding my life and channeling my experiences into poetry. That body of work became my first published collection, Reborn the Rose – The Journey Out of Domestic Violence, a creative response to adversity and resilience.
In recent years, I have also navigated rare tumour diagnoses and major medical interventions. Living with ongoing physical adaptation has deepened my understanding of resilience as an ongoing process, one grounded in courage, patience, and self-compassion.
Today, my work integrates poetry, facilitation, and trauma-informed principles. I believe creative expression should never demand disclosure. It should offer choice. It should honour silence as much as voice.
Through Reborn the Rose, I create spaces where lived experience is respected, dignity is prioritised, and voice can emerge at its own pace.
With love and light
Kelly xx
Reborn the Rose acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Country throughout Australia.
We recognise their continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities.
We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present.
© Copyright 2024 Reborn the Rose. All Rights Reserved.
Hello Beautiful Souls
I’m Kelly, the person behind Reborn the Rose, and I’d like to share my story with you. My journey in writing began at the age of 9 when one of my poems was published in the Writers of Townsville magazine. This early recognition was just the beginning, as my work went on to be published internationally by the International Poets Society. I’m a proud mother of twin boys who are now grown men. As a survivor of domestic violence, I’ve faced Complex PTSD and other health challenges. Born in Townsville, I later relocated with my family to Mackay.
In my first year in Mackay, I wrote 30 poems reflecting my journey out of domestic violence. The photographs for these poems were captured by Karen from Red Sky Photography, even before I knew they would be part of my book, Reborn the Rose. Life has taught me many hard lessons, but I’ve always shown up and never given up. In 2021, I faced another significant challenge when I was diagnosed with a rare malignant tumour. After an 18-hour operation, the loss of 11 litres of blood, and an induced coma, I emerged grateful to be alive. This experience, which involved extensive reconstruction of my abdominal area and the loss of my bladder, led me to live with a urostomy.
My work is defined by its depth, creativity, and ability to inspire. With a commitment to excellence, I craft stories and poems that resonate with readers, offering a sense of resilience and growth. My writing spans poetry, creative narratives, and professional pieces, all infused with my unique voice. My mission is to motivate and uplift through powerful storytelling. Through my compelling narratives, I aim to touch hearts and minds, encouraging readers to embrace their journeys of transformation and strength.
Love & Light
Kelly x