My name is Dr Grant Morgan and I started this blog to share my journey with Crohns Disease. I'm sharing my story, knowledge and passions to  help myself work through this challenge. I will be asking my family and friends to share stories because this journey is not something we go through alone even if sometimes it feels like it. 

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So who am? It is difficult to reduce the whole to a few simple paragraphs because who I am is so much more than that and I am far from a finished product. But I will do my best.

 

I’m a Newcastle sports supporter especially the Newcastle Knights & have an interest in volunteering, environment, digital design and photography. In my spare time I enjoy arts & culture, including movies, reading & live shows. I have a doctorate & work as a director in the NFPs sphere. However, I the purpose of this is to know where I am coming from so you'll need a little more than that.

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Volunteering: I have more than 15 years industry experience and my doctoral research is in volunteering & volunteer management. I have been an advocate for volunteering and I am always willing to support those interested in #volunteering 

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Environment: I worked in the management of NSWs internationally significant Ramsar estate. It's an international treaty Australia has ratified for the protection of wetlands and the flora and fauna that make them home. I learnt so much in my time there about the environment, government processes and sustainability. It made me aware of the challenges our community face and knowing this I get frustrated by the discourse that often dominates this policy space.

 

Academics: I have so many bits of paper saying I am qualified in a diversity of different areas from animation to accounting from a wide variety of organisations and institutions. The highest qualifications I have achieved are a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree and a Doctorate. Nonetheless, for me university wasn't about achieving different qualifications, it was about all the friends I made.

 

Sports: I support all sports in Newcastle, played briefly as a kid and some a bit older at an ordinary level volleyball, rugby league, rugby union, soccer and boxing. I also went to the gym and tried volleyball again as an adult. It is safe to say that I make a much better supporter than I ever did a sportsperson. Watching the Mayhem in their sport and the Knights mostly but I do try  to go to one or two jets games and any major sporting events that come to town that interest me.

 

Knights: I went to the Herald Challenge with dad in 1988 and have been a regular since, less so during my teenage drinking stage but that's normal. I was in Newcastle Workers Club in 1997, I was at Marathon in 2001 & NEX in 2023 when the club brought the trophy home. Currently I am a member of both men's and woman's team. I even sat through the wooden spoon threepeat and have also watched games through some worse weather ever seen at a game. I am a committed fan or I should be committed. 

 

Digital Design & Photography: I have studied animation, multimedia, photography and cinematography. It's my way to express myself creatively. I have had my work in exhibitions and movies shown to festival audiences, some are available on my website. Please remember I do it for fun, it's not serious.

 

Storytelling: I am not a great writer, my posts here will prove that. But I do love a well written movie, TV series, novel; both fiction and non-fiction. I spent time on the board of writing NSW and try to support good storytelling. I encourage anyone who thinks they have a novel in them to have a go. So many great stories are left untold don't let yours.

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Politics: I listen and get frustrated by politics a lot more than I should. I don't support any party but I am left leaning, because I believe in equity, social democracy, & non-growth focused economic models. For these views I have been called "woke" by some senior politicians and commentators. I am not ashamed of this because my ideology is just do what you can to make the world a better place for all your family and friends.

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Family: My late mum is from London and was a young adult in the 60s she had some amazing stories and experiences, extensive travel and plenty of famous and infamous people crossed her path it's why I encourage anyone to tell their story because I wish I had written hers down. Dad is Newcastle born & bred and well traveled too, backpacking through Europe in early 70s. I also have a sister who has kids I call the Mayhem you'll notice I mention them as that. I am that annoying uncle that will buy the drum kit. I have family in England, Canada, US and Australia.

 

Travel: I have traveled fairly extensively myself and would more if I could. Some of the places I have been include New Zealand, Singapore, China, Canada, US, Hawaii, England, Wales, Scotland and France. I have a wanderlust and would love to do much more if #crohns didn't limit my opportunities. I dream of a cruise to Antarctica and the Galapagos Islands

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Chronic Illness: I have #crohns which limits my work and travel. It means I'm on DSP because I can't work in pain. This paradigm frustrates me a lot, if you are interested in that story it's shared via puffdfish blog here, on Facebook and X.  I try to keep it separate from my normal socials as it can be off putting if you aren't interested.

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So this is the basics not much to hide, a few other things yes I am single and live at home with my retired dad who spends plenty of his time as a grey nomad. Although when he is home more likely to find him playing golf and bowls