As the entries for our #GettingBetterTogether campaign continue to roll in, we're honoured to introduce you to one of our incredible participants, Hannah. Her story is one of resilience, growth, and the power of community in recovery.

Hannah's story is one of resilience and strength, having survived sepsis, domestic violence, and the emotional toll of litigation abuse through both the police and family courts. Each of these challenges pushed her to the brink, yet she refused to let them define her. Instead, she rose above, determined to rebuild her life despite the pain.

Her journey wasn’t easy. Surviving sepsis was a traumatic experience that left her physically weakened, while the domestic violence she endured took a significant emotional toll. As if that wasn’t enough, the drawn-out litigation process through the police and family courts added another layer of distress, draining her emotionally and financially. Yet, Hannah never lost sight of her future. She saw these struggles as opportunities to grow stronger, even when the road seemed darkest.

Amid these hardships, Hannah found the strength to pursue her education, demonstrating her commitment to self-improvement. Through sheer determination, she not only completed her studies but graduated with flying colors, an achievement that marked a pivotal moment in her healing process. But Hannah didn’t stop there. She channeled her creativity and passion into inventing a one-of-a-kind beauty tool, a product that has since garnered attention for its innovation and practicality.

Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to launch her own business, turning her idea into a thriving company. Today, she is the proud owner of a successful brand, which not only symbolises her personal triumph but also serves as a testament to her strength, resilience, and creativity. Hannah’s ability to rise from the ashes of her past and build a life she can be proud of is an inspiration to all who hear her story.

There is no better person to share this story than Hannah herself so without further ado, let’s hand the microphone over to Hannah and allow her to share her valuable story. I know you’ll find her insights and inspirational story as valuable as we do!

"My name is Hannah McKeich."

"My name is Hannah McKiech I’m 32 years old. I am a single parent to an almost 14-year-old. 

I was adopted at birth but was returned to my mother willingly at three months old after our adoptive mother struggled to cope. I still don't have a bond with my mother. At three years old, I was legally adopted by my mother's husband. My biological father left before I was born, and we reconnected when I was around 20. Growing up, I had five step-dads, all of whom were abusive towards me, my siblings, and my mother. One of them groomed me for marriage from ages 9 to 14. My earliest memory, at three years old, is of witnessing my mother being beaten with a vacuum cleaner pipe by her partner, who was a patched Mongrel Mob member, and then seeing him throw my sister into a wall on the other side of my bedroom. He held us hostage at gunpoint for three days until the armed defenders rescued us. This event made the newspaper because my grandfather was the Mayor of Lower Hutt at that time.

My family is extremely broken and toxic, marked by a pattern of addiction and abuse largely stemming from my mother’s various partners, which led to severe consequences for her children. I have not been in contact with 99% of my family members for the last 11 years and am considered the "black sheep" of the family. I’ve found that the more I try to improve my life, the more abusive my family becomes towards me. This was manageable before I got sepsis, but it devastated my world, making me and my daughter more vulnerable to harm from them.

I left home at 16 and studied hair, makeup, and beauty at Whitireia before becoming pregnant the following year, unaware of how difficult my life would become. In 2016, I founded Colour Junkie Cosmetics, which became New Zealand’s leading indie cosmetics brand from 2016 to 2020, available in 53 Life and Unichem pharmacies across the country. I was featured by Seven Sharp and Women's Weekly. I lost my business after COVID and a problematic business deal, and the following year, I had my gallbladder removed. I taught myself everything I knew about business and marketing as I was on sole parent support and could not get a bank loan. After having my daughter, I experienced severe post-natal depression that lasted until she was around seven. I was diagnosed with depression, childhood PTSD, and medical PTSD due to the neglect I experienced.

The battle I fought is a testament to not just my resilience but that of all mothers out there, a maternal bond that defies time, distance, and adversity. It's a reminder of the fierce love that fuels us to overcome any obstacle to protect and nurture our children.

I dove into a diploma in creative marketing and I graduated In may 2024. I began working out again and prioritizing my mental health. My daughter and I are in therapy, but we are happy, we are together, and we are safe. My daughter has flourished. She is so beautiful and kind. She now does horse riding too!

I embarked on launching a new business venture I invented something. It is a cupid's bow stencil sticker.  I studied lip research papers from all over the world. I analyzed lips. I then filed patent applications in 3 countries. I got the product manufactured. I called them Lipstickies! I'm now an official inventor! My company name is QuickBow. The product isn’t really what the company is about. 

"It’s about empowering people."

It’s about making my daughter proud. It’s about trying to give her stability in life. I even got to speak to multiple classes where I studied hair and makeup when I was 16, the year before I got pregnant, about my journey I refrained from sharing too many details, mindful not to overwhelm them.  In the end, everything fell into place. 

I’ve learned through this experience, that the grief I’ve endured is like trying to comprehend what is beyond my comprehension, and I have learned to accept that. 

I’ve learned that vampires are real, but they don't suck your blood; they suck your joy, your peace, and your self-esteem. 

I’ve learned that my childhood was the catalyst for this whole experience and that the environment we grow up in and the people in our families can have a lasting effect on how our lives turn out, but that we can break free and end generational trauma if we find the strength and conviction within. 

I lost everything I owned. I lost my home. I lost my daughter. I lost my sanity.

I lost everything. But I gained everything. I gained strength. I gained courage. I gained determination. I gained hope.

This story isn't just mine—This narrative belongs not just to me but to anyone who has experienced brokenness and dared to dream amid chaos.  No matter how many lows we face, our light can never be extinguished. I want to use my experiences to bring awareness to all of the above,  to show anyone struggling in silence, that they're not alone, and they’re stronger than they realize. I searched all over the Internet for stories like mine to no avail. I quickly realised that my story would need to be someone else's survival guide. 

One day, I want a new law passed in parliament - Mandatory childcare screening. Mandatory social work reporting in cases like mine. I am deeply angry that at no point did the nurses even ask me or screen me for domestic violence the entire time I was in the hospital. The entire ordeal should have never happened. I may have been too scared to tell them, but had they pressed me, I’d likely have broken down and told them. But, I was so sick, the thought of dealing with police while that unless and a breakup was too overwhelming. It was so emotionally distressing and stressful, I genuinely thought I’d have a heart attack. 

I had started to think I was incredibly unlucky life. But maybe I was put on this earth to go through things and then to help others, too.

All I know is that I will never give up. I’m an entrepreneur, a creative,  a visionary.

I have to use my life to make a difference in some way"

I have to use my life to make a difference in some way.

-Hannah McKeich

Thank you toHannah for sharing her incredible story and thank you for joining us in exploring Hannah’s powerful and inspirational journey. Her journey through adversity and resilience is a testament to strength and hope. We hope her experiences offer insight and encouragement as you navigate your own path.

If you have any questions or wish to share your thoughts, please leave a comment bellow.

Remember, you’re not alone, and there’s always hope.

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The team @ Recovery Revival