Stories move, inspire and connect us. Join CRU for a day of powerful stories from people with disabilities and their families that will bring hope, clarity, and connection.

Hear directly from people living with disabilities and family members as they share their journeys so far – what they set out to achieve, how they went about it and how they kept going.

Learn how these unique people and their families, at different ages and life stages have taken action to:

Achieve their visions of good lives, in community
Make a contribution and have meaningful work
Involve other people and build relationships
Live in homes of their own
Work through and overcome challenges and setbacks

An unmissable day of incredible stories to learn from, build understanding - and gain a deeper sense of connection.

About the Presenters:

A young dark haired man wearing a suit.

Will Robertson is 18 and in his final year of school, while also completing a Certificate II through TAFE Queensland. Will is autistic and uses AAC to communicate. He enjoys time with friends and family, being outdoors, and contributing to local environmental groups.

Will has experienced many forms of education but has thrived in inclusive settings. Since Year 9, he has shared his insights with teachers, students, and families.

Will's goals for life post school include further study, meaningful paid employment, buying his first car, travelling the world, and making new friends. Will is passionate about inclusive education and is looking forward to further study, employment, travel, and the many possibilities of adult life.

A woman with dark hair pulled back into a bun.

Ainsley Robertson is the parent of two neurodivergent young adults, Will and Stella. Her journey alongside her children, and with other families, has deeply shaped her understanding of inclusion, education, and community.

Before joining CRU as a facilitator in the Families for Inclusive Education project, Ainsley worked as a primary school teacher and education advisor. Through lived experience, she has found ways through barriers that once felt overwhelming.

Ainsley brings both professional knowledge and personal insight, supporting others to imagine and build meaningful, inclusive lives for their family members.

A woman with long auburn hair.

Francy Molina is a proud Colombian woman, mother, sister, and community leader. She is also a disability advocate and a Bachelor of Paramedicine student.

A member of AMPARO Advocacy’s Inclusive Leadership Network, Francy is from a CALD background and passionate about inclusion and creating opportunities where everyone can belong and contribute. Living with disability has strengthened her resilience, empathy, and determination. She enjoys writing, painting, and sharing stories that inspire connection and hope.

Francy dreams of becoming a paramedic while continuing her advocacy work, helping to build a more inclusive future where challenges are transformed into purpose.

A young man smiling, standing on a city street.

Sam Leahy is a Brisbane worker, dancer, singer and friend. He graduated from St James College in 2007 and studied at the Queensland School of Film and Television and Southbank TAFE.

He has spent 17 years at the Office of the Public Guardian, earning the ‘Behind-the-Scenes Excellence Award.’ Sam has also worked at Ventia for 12 years, where he featured in the staff magazine and recognised for his hard work.

Outside work, Sam's week is full. He dances with several groups, sings in a choir and never misses Woodford Folk Festival. He lives in his own apartment, supported by a circle of people he loves and trusts, and is always chasing the next adventure, with overseas travel firmly on the list.

A smiling woman with shoulder length grey hair.

Donna Best is a leader in self-advocacy. She is the peer leader of Hot Topics, a self-advocacy group for people with intellectual disabilities in Queensland, based at Queenslanders with Disability Network (QDN). She is a founding member of many disability advocacy groups in Queensland.

In 2023, Donna co-presented a TED Talk—the first of its kind featuring a person with intellectual disability.

Donna regularly provides advice to a range of government and community service organisations. Known for her phenomenal memory, she provides her experience and knowledge to key committees, groups and boards, and is currently on the Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) board.

She is also passionate about mentoring emerging leaders and supporting others to have their voices heard.

Bec Cohen has jaw-length brown hair. She wears a red shirt and smiles warmly at someone off camera

Rebecca Cohen is in her early 30s and lives in her own home in Tin Can Bay, a small coastal fishing village in Queensland’s Wide Bay Burnett region.

Bec is a born adventurer, an experienced sailor and a passionate music lover. She is well-known in her local community as a community builder. Bec has organised and hosted a community planning day for emergency preparedness and is part of her local walking group, community yoga, and is a supporter of regular local live music events.

Bec uses AAC to communicate and has complex support needs, as she lives with a rare and life-threatening disease (Tango2 Deficiency Disorder). She was a founding member of Tango2 Australia, which supports research, raises awareness and resources families.

Sandi and Dave Cohen are parents, sailors and, until recently, certified organic farmers, running a commercial bean farm north-east of Gympie.

When their youngest daughter Bec was born with a rare disorder they had no idea what life would be like for her or their family. They attended a talk by Jeremy Ward in Caloundra when Bec was 4, which began their journey of creating and working towards building a good life for Bec.

Besides farming, Dave has a background in science, adult education and public sector administration, and Sandi worked as a Local Area Coordinator in regional Queensland long before the roll-out of the NDIS. They both share Bec’s deep commitment to building and sustaining inclusive communities.

Who Should Attend?

This event is for people with disabilities, families, support workers, advocates, professionals, and community members.

This will be of interest to people with disabilities, their parents, families and friends, as well as those who support people with disability in paid roles.

Cost to attend:

People with disability and family members:

Standard price for this workshop is $30.
If the cost is a barrier, please choose the Concession Rate, $10.
If you would like to support CRU’s work you can choose the Supporter Rate, $50.

Workers, friends and allies:

The price for workers, professionals, friends and allies is $100.

Every person who attends needs to register.

Due to venue and catering costs, CRU is not able to fully participate in the companion card scheme, however, if a worker is attending to provide support for an attendee with disability, we will offer a reduced fee at the standard rate.

About CRU:

For over 35 years, Community Resource Unit has been working across Queensland to help people with disability take control of their lives and take their place in their community.

This event is supported by a Peer Support and Capacity Building (PSCB) grant for the NDIS.

Please contact CRU if you require assistance to register, attend or participate in this event.

Ph: 07 3844 2211 or Email: cru@cru.org.au

To see CRU's Privacy Policy, please visit: https://cru.org.au/policies/#privacy

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