LOVE STORIES: Curtis McGrath Lost His Legs In Afghanistan. Rachel Never Left His Side | Acts of Service

Time to bless your feed with a new episode of our heartfelt new podcast, Love Stories, from The Australian Women's Weekly. Love Stories is about celebrating and appreciating love in all its forms. Think the stories behind how your favourite couples first met, siblings who have seen each other through thick and thin, parents and children and the deep bonds we have with our pets, and those who've loved, lost and learned to love themselves again. Find, follow and subscribe (or hit the +) to The Australian Women's Weekly Love Stories wherever you like to listen to or watch your podcasts: on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and more. There's a gorgeous back catalogue for you to binge on and catch all the feels! Olympic sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell, Georgie Tunny and Rob Mills spill on babies and marriage, Matty and Esther Acton on being 40 year old grandparents, Katie Noonan on the grief of divorce, David and Lisa Campbell on their long marriage, Jess Row and Peter Overon, Julie and Mick Goodwin and so many more!

First, let us introduce you to Curtis and Rachel McGrath, who are part of our special Love Stories: Acts of Service series <3 (and who have some very special news to share about their family)

Content warning: This episode discusses combat injury, traumatic limb loss and newborn emergency surgery. If it raises anything for you, support is available: Wounded Heroes Australia crisis line 1300 532 112 (24/7 for ADF members, veterans and their families); Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling 1800 011 046 (24/7) | Lifeline 13 11 14 (24/7).

Curtis McGrath was searching for landmines in Afghanistan when the ground beneath him changed his life forever. Two years into their relationship, Rachel was 1500km away when she got the call.

In this episode, Curtis and Rachel sit down with Tiffany Dunk to talk about the day everything changed, the months of hospital treatment and rehab that followed, and the slow work of rebuilding a new normal.

They open up about a proposal on top of a mountain in Canada, the wedding that scraped in just before COVID-19 hit, and becoming parents to a son whose own fight for life began just days after he was born. Plus, there's an exciting announcement about the newest addition to their family.

To all veterans who may be watching or listening to this episode, we thank you for your service.

Moments you'll hear:

• Rachel and Curtis' first meeting, and the door that got shut in his face
• The blunt question Rachel asked Curtis before he deployed
• The day in 2012 when everything changed
• The moment in hospital that made Curtis realise what life looked like now
• Meeting Prince Harry at the Invictus Games, and what Curtis really thought of him
• The proposal: a Banff Gondola, lots of stairs and a beautiful sunset
• A diagnosis days after their son Monty was born
• An exciting announcement about the newest addition to their family

Thank you for listening ❤️

Before you leave...

🗣️ Get in touch

What did you think? We are a brand-new podcast and would love to hear from you as we build this together. Join our friendly Love Stories community and visit us at womensweekly.com.au/love-stories-podcast

Email us your love stories (and any feedback) at awwlovestories@aremedia.com.au

If you share your love story on social media, please tag us. We’re @womensweeklymag, and use the hashtag #AWWLoveStories

Subscribe to The Australian Women’s Weekly at magshop.com.au/LOVESTORIES 👈🏽

Sending thanks to our partners at Wounded Heroes Australia.

You can help Wounded Heroes deliver emergency assistance to current Australian Defence Force members, veterans and their families by donating at: www.woundedheroes.org.au/actsofservice

Need help now? Wounded Heroes crisis line 1300 532 112, 24/7, Australia wide.

Credits

Host: Tiffany Dunk

Edited by Leah Porges

Production by Leah Porges

Our wonderful The Australian Women's Weekly team

Our Head of Vodcasting is Rachel Fountain

Learn more: The Australian Women's Weekly website

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.