I am a mother of three beautiful daughters, all of whom have different disabilities and all of whom have provided my husband and I with many learning opportunities.
 

We have been through the journey of getting a diagnosis, researching the different disabilities, learning how to parent children with disabilities, and also advocating for them.

 

I've experienced previous support/care systems and then transitioned to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), navigating and gaining understanding. The NDIS was/is a blessing for our family as it meant our children could access the support and services to build capacity and develop life skills.​

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It is rewarding to see the benefits of therapy and the growth of our children. We appreciate the passionate therapists who are part of our journey.
 

Traditional clinical therapy didn't work for one of my daughters; it was a challenge to get her to engage. As a teacher of over 16 years, I am known for my out-of-the-box thinking and ability to engage and teach students in a way that inspires a love of learning in their unique way. So, I started researching new innovative methods I could use for my daughter. Her love of animals, particularly horses, inspired my thoughts, and my research led me to learn how animals can be used as a therapeutic resource.

 

As I grew up with many animals and have been riding horses since the age of seven, I thought, let's start with a young green project horse. Fast forward to today, Poppy has taught all my children communication, social behaviour, breathing techniques, mindfulness, looking after someone other than themselves, and so much more.
 

​Thanks for taking the time to read about my journey to becoming a Developmental Educator (DE). I am thankful for being able to give back to the Whitsunday community and support participants and families, just as our family was and still is. I am passionate about being a DE and providing a holistic, person-centred, strengths-based approach to therapy.