It’s hard enough trying to fit in at high school, but for Survivor Australia’s Joan, the experience was one like no other.
She fell pregnant at age 16 and was determined to continue her schooling.
“I was a straight A student at a catholic school and I was the last person anyone expected to get pregnant,” she tells TV WEEK.
“I left high school and took some time out to think about what to do. I had a job as a receptionist but I knew in my heart that I wanted to finish high school. I made an appointment with the school principal and told him I wanted to return to school.”
Joan returned, heavily pregnant, to start her Higher School Certificate.
“The six-week Christmas holidays came, and in the January I gave birth to my beautiful son, Jose,” she smiles.
“The next few months were the hardest thing I ever had to do. I remember studying for my exams while bottle-feeding my son at 3am in the morning. But I was focused and driven to excel and prove everyone wrong.”
Now 29 years old, Joan, met her now partner Frank just after he son turned one.
“On our first few dates I would vacuum the car and take the baby seat out because no 17-year-old wants to see that!” Joan laughs.
But Frank was keen to take on the role as a stepfather at just 17.
The pair has now been together for 12 years and have had two more kids Lily, eight, Allegra, six.
Her family are behind her 100 per cent to enjoy this challenge.
“I have always said to my children that this is my dream and whatever dream you have to pursue it!”
