What Bindi Irwin Would Tell Her Younger Self at the Start of Her Endometriosis Journey (Exclusive)

Bindi Irwin

In March 2023, Bindi Irwin publicly revealed her endometriosis diagnosis on social media. She has since opened up about the painful condition during which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in places where it doesn't belong. And recently, the 25-year-old conservationist shared what she would tell her younger self at the start of her endometriosis journey.

On Friday, May 3, Bindi walked the red carpet ahead of the Endometriosis Foundation of America's (EndoFound) 12th Annual Blossom Ball. The event at Gotham Hall in New York City honored her with the Blossom Award.

"I think I would tell myself that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and to keep holding on," Bindi exclusively told Parade while standing next to her mom, Terri Irwin. "Because at my very worst, when I had no answers, I felt very defeated. And I felt like I was drowning."

Bindi later added: "The other thing I would say to myself is, you know what, it's OK to go, 'No, I deserve to get answers and I deserve to find out what's wrong with me.'"

"It is an interesting journey when you have to start it at the age of 14," Terri, 59, interjected as Bindi fought back tears. "So as her mother, you feel this huge responsibility to figure out what's wrong."

During the chat with Parade, Terri also explained that she witnessed Bindi not being able to pick up her daughter, Grace, or even tolerate a hug or laugh.

"I can remember Bindi saying, 'I have to go to bed now because, in a minute, I don't know if I can walk all the way to the bedroom,'" she recalled.

Bindi shared that although she was "so lucky" to have the support of her family, living with endometriosis still felt "very, very lonely."

She explained, "You have to say no to life. It takes away the joy of so many things... The work that I was so passionate about, I wasn't able to participate in. And then, when my daughter was born, that was when I had to find answers because I would be in so much pain that I would lay on the floor in agony, and she would just watch me. And that was really hard."

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"I think for Bindi to have the tenacity and strength and determination from the age of 14 to not give up and advocate for herself—and now advocate for everybody—that's really difficult," Terri told Parade.

She turned to Bindi and said, "So probably tell your younger self you don't have to do that. You don't have to fix the whole world."

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