DREAM BIG AND NEVER GIVE UP

Mel's on a mission to empower teen mums - Mel Redsell, 45, Moreton Bay, Qld

- Lisa Brookman

BRAVE TEEN MUM

Looking into my baby's big brown eyes, I sighed.

As my daughter, Breanna, smiled, the feeling that this tiny life was dependent on me was overwhelming.

A single mum at just 17, I watched my friends living carefree lives.

In fact, I'd been out with them late the night before, leaving 10-month-old Breanna with a babysitter.

But now with a splitting headache, I knew my life was spiralling out of control.

I wasn't being the mother that Breanna deserved.

In my head, cruel comments blared.

'You'll never amount to anything,' friends had said when I'd revealed I was pregnant in Year 12.

My family were shocked and everyone had an opinion.

'What do you want to do?' my cousin asked.

'I want to keep my baby,' I told her.

Though I was no longer with my bub's dad, I knew in my heart that this baby was no mistake.

Desperate to buy supplies for my bub, I earned money ironing clothes for people.

But when a friend turned up with a huge basket of nappies, nappy cream and baby wash donated by a local organisation, I never forgot it.

I went on to surprise everyone, including myself, when I passed my Year 12 exams. I then graduated at 17, while pregnant.

When Breanna was born in January 1995, she was absolutely perfect.

I moved in with friends when Breanna was six weeks old, and tried to be a mum while still going out with my friends. But I knew I couldn't do both.

I loved Breanna so much, I was determined to make a good life for both of us.