Zebras Australia

“When you hear hoofbeats, think of horses, not zebras.” These are the words of Theodore Woodward - an American physician - and the reason we exist. Our journey began in 2018 on Wurundjeri Country, Melbourne, stewarded by a passionate group of health professionals who identified a group of humans who were more in need of help than ever; those who endure unwanted pain, fatigue and tension and experience this as chronic illness. When we think of chronic illness, we might think of asthma, arthritis or cancer. Health professionals are trained to think like this too. But for an increasing number of people with supposedly rare chronic illnesses, this mentality is problematic. They experience lengthy diagnostic journeys and face significant barriers to accessing care that is specifically tailored, scientifically informed and supports the whole person. In a time where it seemed as though no one was willing to put their hand up, we saw the need, and so Zebras was born. We were embraced by the chronic illness community in a way we could never imagine. We were inundated with enquiries and referrals and this continued well into 2020 as the pandemic was announced. As our understanding of chronic illnesses expanded, we began planning for a dedicated and more accessible space for our community, which we proudly opened in mid 2021. We have welcomed new team members who are just as passionate and aligned with our vision as we are. Our offering, which now includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy and exercise physiology, continues to evolve. We have had the opportunity to collaborate with a number of local and international organisations, including Dysautonomia International, the Ehlers-Danlos Society, several universities and not-for-profit groups. Most importantly, we’ve delivered thousands of consultations to help people feel seen, heard and supported in their time of need.