In March 1995, an event occurred that changed my life forever. As a result of a fall from a horse, I acquired a brain injury. I was 35 years old and had two daughters aged seven and twelve at the time of the accident. I spent three and half months in a coma and a year in hospital all together. I am now a ‘spastic’ quadriplegic and partially blind in one eye.

I now live at home with my two daughters. I am a member on the Board of Management at Qualtime Association Inc (a day respite centre for physically and intellectually young people) as the Consumer Representative. I’m also involved with a new group of people who are endeavouring to make life better for some of the long-term residents at the Jacana ABI Centre.

I’m in the process of writing a book about my accident and journey of recovery called ‘Permission To Shine’.

I feel I have some first-hand experience in this field, although I have much to learn. I’m willing to become as knowledgeable as I can about disabilities.

Before moving to Queensland in 1992, I had an interior design business in Perth for ten years. A field I would like to follow is making homes disabled friendly without it looking like a disabled circus!