Robert King has had a very dynamic 2 years. Robert spent more than 60 years living in institutions in the Hunter region.  It was only the closure of these institutions 2 years ago that enabled him to leave permanently.

Initially Rob moved to a group home with 4 other people and while there, he continued to work towards his lifelong dream of living in his own home by himself, with the privacy and freedom he yearned for.  Rob’s life changed when he moved into his own apartment in the city just over a year ago.

Since then, Rob has gained an extraordinary degree of capacity and independence with the use of assistive technology and skill building but most importantly, relationship building in his local area. Rob is a vendor for The Big Issue magazine and well known and regarded in his neighbourhood.

Rob is assisted by his circle of support – friends and family who join together to assist and support his decision-making. Rob’s circle of support is integral to his positive risk-taking and him living the life he has always wanted.

Jen Cush is a founding member of Hunter Circles, an initiative to bring relationships into the lives of people with disability in the Newcastle and Hunter region. Jen and Rob have known each other for 8 years and Jen is the facilitator of Rob’s circle of support.

Jen’s career in community development and advocacy with people with disability has always focused on relationships, thinking outside the box and human rights.

Professor Jacinta Douglas is Emeritus Professor at La Trobe University. Jacinta’s qualifications span the disciplines of speech pathology, clinical psychology and neuropsychology. She has extensive research and clinical experience in the rehabilitation of adults with acquired brain injury (ABI). Her research contribution is internationally recognised and has advanced knowledge in the domains of interpersonal communication, psychosocial functioning and community participation following brain injury.

Her work focuses on maximising the ability of people with brain injury to participate fully in society across all levels of functioning. Jacinta leads the research partnership between La Trobe University and the Summer Foundation. The partnership develops and measures the outcomes of interventions related to the lifetime support of people with acquired neurological disability. Jacinta is a Fellow of the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment and the Speech Pathology Association of Australia and is founding co-editor of the multidisciplinary journal Brain Impairment.

Eunoia Lane was established in March 2018 in response to a wide gap in support coordination and occupational therapy services in the Northern Territory, and particularly in remote communities.

Kate Hamilton is Founder and Director of Eunoia Lane, who together with Cathryn McAdie, Service Quality Executive, and their team deliver best practice, client-centred and culturally appropriate and culturally safe services. They are passionate about Aboriginal health and wellbeing, connection to country and culture.