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Charlie Vivash is optimistic, growing in confidence, and making friends. But the 16-year-old, who lives with autism and identifies as non-binary, has had a tough journey. Charlie’s mother Emily credits NDIS support as having a life-saving impact. ‘The support has been absolutely amazing. Just from the therapy and a couple of the programs that we’ve attended, it has made a massive difference,’ Emily says. ‘The NDIS kept my child alive.’ At school, Charlie was bullied and threatened with harm and Charlie considered quitting. ‘That made Charlie depressed. It was awful because prior to that, they loved school,’ Emily says. Emily...

For Charlotte Bailey, brewing up a big future through a job she loves is all in a day’s work. Kicking goals with Eastlakes Football Club as a café assistant, the 23-year-old from Canberra is making every moment count. Charlotte, who has Down syndrome, loves nothing more than wowing Eastlakes’ regulars with a smile and chat while learning new hospitality skills. ‘I am a waitress. I do lots of different things like make coffee, serve meals, take orders, and clean the restaurant,’ Charlotte said. ‘I talk to visitors and make sure they are enjoying their meals. I love talking to people...

When Annika Hill talks about Harry’s Healthy Treats, you can tell she’s in her happy place. Running her own small dog treat business (a social enterprise) from home, named after her old dog Harry, mum Diane said, ‘It’s proving to be quite a success in so many ways for Annika’.

Charlotte Reid sensed they were different in high school but kept those feelings hidden. ‘Back when I was growing up there wasn’t as much of an understanding about the LGBTIQA+ community as much is there is now. I really didn’t have the words or know the terminology to express what I was feeling. I just thought I was weird,’ Charlotte said. ‘Then for me as an adult, declared legally blind at 12, coming out as transgender… it was a sense of whether I die or live as who I really am. I chose to live as who I really am.’

The NDIS participant, from Sydney, is looking forward to reuniting with friends and school staff, with an eye on preparing for life after school.