Why am I doing this research? 

I have always been drawn to work that supports and uplifts others. Shaped by lived experience of childhood adversity and sexual violence, my career has been guided by a commitment to breaking cycles of harm and improving how systems respond to people with complex, multifaceted needs. I am an Indigenous Australian, from a proud lineage of Peerapper people in West Coast Tasmania. My work is grounded in understanding the impacts of intergenerational trauma, resilience, and cultural strength.

Becoming a social worker has enabled me to critically reflect on the relationship between personal experience and broader social, legal, and policy systems. This perspective has deepened my compassion for both myself and others, and strengthened my commitment to trauma-informed, human-rights-based practice. Through this lens, I recognise trauma as a shared human experience and believe meaningful change occurs when people’s stories are heard, respected, and understood.

I have over 15 years’ experience supporting people with disability across voluntary, peer, and professional roles. Beginning as a peer support worker in my early teens, I later facilitated inclusive community programs and worked as a disability support worker while completing a Bachelor of Social Work. Following graduation, I worked across clinical and community mental health services before becoming an independent practitioner under the NDIS.

I hold a Master of Advanced Social Work and have undertaken postgraduate study in global mental health and trauma recovery with Harvard Medical School. I am currently completing a PhD, with a focus on improving NDIS experiences for people living with psychosocial disability and trauma histories. This research reflects my broader goal of working alongside people with lived experience to influence policy, practice, and systems in ways that create meaningful and lasting social change.