As a mother of two, I have navigated the challenges of raising a son with severe autism, experiencing firsthand the complexities of his language and social skills development. My journey involved collaborating with speech therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, school educators, and medical professionals to equip him with life skills to promote his independence.

Selecting the right professionals who connected with my son and met our family's unique needs was the biggest challenge. This lived experience led me to explore therapy and treatment options worldwide, significantly broadening my understanding of raising a child with a disability and making me a better mother and a better person.

Today, my 18-year-old son is thriving and doing exceptionally well: he communicates using words and can advocate for himself and express his needs, he attends mainstream school with support, enjoys bike riding and swimming, and has aspirations to become a chef.

As a result of this lived experience, I am eager to support other families in similar circumstances that are lost in the system and to advocate for their loved ones’ needs, to enhance their quality of life and embrace the possibility of a fulfilling future and reaching their full potential. I would be honoured to be part of your journey.

I am a qualified pharmacist with over 20 years of experience working in community pharmacies across Australia. I am also a qualified and AHPRA-registered Occupational Therapist, with professional training and clinical experience. In addition, inspired by my Mediterranean heritage, I undertook formal training at TAFE SA to become a qualified chef. This unique combination of healthcare expertise and culinary knowledge strengthens my holistic, practical approach to improving quality of life.