I was surprised and delighted to be told I had won Disability Queensland's Disability Action Week Award for Individuals 2003, both for my children's book ‘Discovery at Paradise Island’ and the development of Discovering DisAbility & Diversity. It was an honour and a privilege to receive this award and it was and is because of my family and friends. Because without their constant help and support my work would not be possible.

The entire day was exciting from start to finish and I met many wonderful, supportive people. I was very lucky to be able to have good friends there with me, and on top of that I had my beautiful Aunty Merideth Sadler, who was very ill, but she still managed to be there with my cousin Ashley to celebrate the day. As Aunty Merideth died less than a year later, this event and day will always be extra special in my memory as she helped me celebrate it.