Rosey
I am a late-diagnosed Autistic woman with a passion to make a difference. For many years, I worked as an Occupational Therapist in disability, health and education sectors in rural, remote and metropolitan areas across Queensland. When the unexpected happened with my husband’s health, I retired early due to increased carer responsibilities and my own chronic health issues. In the last few years, we experienced more interactions with hospitals, and community services as a health consumer and carer than I ever thought possible. This heightened my awareness of the challenges disabled patients and their carers experience in acute and primary healthcare settings, especially during emergency health crises or dealing with multiple service providers. Being a consumer representative in the Disability Services Action Plan Implementation committees and workgroups, has enabled me to advocate for reasonable adjustments and supports for people with visible and invisible disabilities, whether they are staff members, patients or carers. Involvement in various activities and committee meetings as a consumer, has provided opportunities to contribute ideas, ask questions, give feedback and participate in special projects and research. It’s been great to see Metro North Health start to embrace projects like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative, Julian’s Keys Health Passports.

Desley
As a registered nurse and nurse academic, I have had a long career in health care delivery in the private and public sectors in Australia and Singapore.  I have also been a consumer, mostly in the primary care sector, due to my life-long chronic illnesses. I had also cared for my late husband as he progressed through lung cancer.  Then unexpectedly I had surgery, from which I have never fully recovered. I was forced to give up my job – which I loved, so now I was also experiencing unexpected retirement. It was fortuitous that Community and Oral Health, End-of-life advertised for a consumer on their sub-committee as I had experienced both being a carer of my late husband, as well as having undertaken some research into grief, loss and bereavement. I believe the combination of my lived experience, research and career as a registered nurse allows me to have meaningful input. I understand the system from both perspectives but most importantly from a consumer’s perspective. As well as that, it is great fun and I really appreciate being able to ‘give back’ to health service delivery. 

Lisa
I have lived with Diabetes since 1999 during this time I have had a lot of experience with health care and time spent in hospital for a variety of reasons.  I have a husband who has Asperges and an elderly mother which I am her sole carer.  I want to help make positive changes to the health care system as over the years I have seen many things that need improving.  I’ve seen many changes over the years of how care is given, and I want to be a voice for those who are not able to speak up for themselves, to help implement new and innovative ways of providing care for all consumers.  There is a need for feedback and for consumers to get onboard with their own health care and the more I can help to promote this, the more consumers will have control over their own care.  If I can help others through my own experience, then I have left a positive legacy for change.  I enjoy being a part of different committees and the discussions we have and decisions we make.  I also want to improve the conditions for the health care professionals who work tirelessly.