My experience of witnessing the negative effects of a close family member living with mental health challenges and them being denied choice and control over their care and not receiving the necessary support, is the very thing that ignited a passion in me to play an active role in ensuring people have a voice, choice, control, hope, and possibility.

Thankfully, times have changed!

I am dedicated to making sure people are well-informed, heard, seen, and connected to supports, communities, interests, groups and health professionals to promote wellbeing, needs and wants being met and goals achieved.

The book titled, ‘Annie’s coming out’, also had a profound impact on me, reminding me of my works purpose that being, to play a role in ensuring people are respected and included. In this book, it took one support person to see Annie, to recognise her extraordinariness. While she was non-verbal a support person found ways to communicate, hear, learn, understand and appreciate Annie. This was life changing for Annie with her transitioning from being unnoticed, floor and bed bound and institutionalized, to her living in a loving home and living a fulfilling life as she deserved and entitled to.

My paid and volunteer work has found me working in a range of government contracts supporting both disadvantaged people and people with disabilities. In this I gained insight into challenges faced and again a further desire to play a role in enhancing people’s lives. My work has a positive impact on my own life, making every day purposeful and rewarding. Collectively my personal and professional experience has led me to this wonderful position of Support Coordination where I’m privileged and grateful to play a pivotal role in people’s lives.