You're feeling like, why am I out here at a cafe talking to friends? My partner just died like two weeks ago. From that moment, Ellidy's world stopped. There was deep grief, disbelief and then the gradual realisation that this was real. Ellidy's partner of eight years, a World Champion snowboarder, a man of energy and music, was gone. And so was the life they had built together and the dream of the child they had been trying for. In the hours that followed a suggestion was made: did Ellidy want to harvest Chumpy's sperm and try for the baby they both wanted so deeply? Ellidy said the grief still came in waves, two years on, but things were getting a little better every day.

Heartstrong by Ellidy Pullin | 9780733649219 | Booktopia

Ellidy is amazing. What she has been through I wouldn’t wish upon my worst enemy. Although such heartache, she still manages to bring so much light and laughter into the world around her.Heartstrong is out now. Your cookie settings are preventing this third party content from displaying. I hated hearing that because it just felt like time was going forever, but it really does get better," she said. Two years ago, Ellidy Pullin lost her soulmate, Olympic snowboarder Alex “Chumpy” Pullin, in a devastating diving accident.

Heartstrong by Ellidy Pullin | Hachette UK

As it turned out, Ellidy wasn't pregnant, but 15 months after Chumpy's death she gave birth to his baby. If I can help other people who are grieving, teach or show people how they can celebrate a life that’s no longer here and keep that person’s memory alive, or normalise talking about grief, I’ll do that. Putting pen to paper, Ellidy has now written a book about her journey called Heartstrong: Chumpy, Minnie and Me. I remind myself that Chumpy died doing something that he loved in the place he loved most: the ocean,” she wrote. All I have left is this story. This stupid story I wish I didn’t have to tell.” Ellidy with Minnie. Credit: SevenThis story has truly truly touched my soul and I don’t think I’ll be forgetting what I’ve read any time soon. Life is so so short and you just never know how much one decision truly will impact not only your life but everyone else’s lives around you. Ellidy hopes that by sharing her story, other women who may one day lose their partners through accident or chronic illness will not necessarily lose the chance of having their partner's baby. Friends and family were saying sperm retrieval was an option. But within hours it would be too late. Ellidy had to decide. Thirty-six hours after losing him, she was offered the chance to keep a small part of Chumpy alive - and made the decision to harvest his sperm posthumously. RRP refers to the Recommended Retail Price as set out by the original publisher at time of release.

Ellidy lost her partner, Chumpy Pullin, in a freak accident Ellidy lost her partner, Chumpy Pullin, in a freak accident

Time really does help to heal a little bit.” Ellidy said the grief of losing Alex came and went in waves. Credit: SevenShe had only hours to make the decision about harvesting Chumpy’s sperm, describing it as a “weird” decision but the right one. Ellidy and Minnie on The Morning Show. Credit: Seven