Motivational Speaker
How it all began........
During school I took an Open University course on child development and did work experience in childcare. What I had learnt as ‘best practice’ wasn't always what happened in ‘actual practice’ when it came to service delivery for children with Down syndrome. I realised I had lived experience of this and I wanted educators to understand what having Down syndrome is like from the inside. I was invited to speak at an education conference and it snowballed from there.
In March 2017 I was invited to address the United Nations in New York, on World Down Syndrome Day. My speech also went live to a worldwide TV audience.
During my time at the UN my eyes were opened to the different treatment of babies born with Down syndrome in some countries, where families are just told to leave their baby at the hospital. It made me so sad. I decided that if people in these countries could see people with Down syndrome competing in sport, maybe they wouldn't want to just lock them away. I began my campaign to include athletes with Down syndrome in the Paralympics.
I have the honour of being an Australia Day Ambassador and I travel across Queensland and give speeches to people in remote and regional areas. I love to encourage other young people to work through their disadvantages and shoot for the stars in their goals in life. I wasn't exactly born lucky but everyone can make the most of their life with a bit of hard work and determination.
Contact me on this website to discuss your next event.
Speaking Engagement Highlights
March 2016 DSQ Education Conference Brisbane Convention Centre
March 2017 World Down Syndrome Day Conference United Nations, New York USA
April 2017 Guest Speaker Catholic Education Brisbane Training Event
May 2017 Guest Speaker Scouting Australia AGM
May 2017 Speaker and Panel Member at Powerhouse of Leaders Brisbane Powerhouse
September 2017 Guest Speaker Down Syndrome Swimming Australia Annual Dinner- Geelong
October 2017 Guest Speaker ROPE AGM, Redcliffe
October 2017 Guest Speaker and Panel Member Power To Go Conference, Caloundra
March 2018 Studio Guest ABC Radio Brisbane, World Down Syndrome Day
March 2018 Guest Speaker Endless Possibilities National Education Conference, BCEC Brisbane
April 2018 Guest speaker Women of the World International Conference, Brisbane Powerhouse
July 2018 Guest Speaker World Down Syndrome Conference, Glasgow, Scotland
January 2019 Guest Speaker Barcaldine Shire Australia Day Presentation
March 2019 Diverse Learners conference, Victoria Park, Brisbane
January 2020, Guest Speaker Somerset Regional Council Australia Day Presentation
March 2020 Keynote Speaker, Australian Inclusive Schooling Conference, BCEC Brisbane
January 2021 Guest Speaker Surat Regional Council Australia Day Presentation
July 2021 International Education Conference Online-Illume Learning
September 2021 Women of the World International Forum Online Guest