I'm a fortysomething-year-old Melbournian, from Australia! I'm the oldest of four children and an aunty of four gorgeous boys Declan, Quinn, Tyreece (Reece) and baby Leo, plus four beautiful girls Destiny, Eve, Olivia and Elsie! They are my life and I believe as their Aunty it's my job to spoil them rotten!

 

I was born with severe Athetoid Cerebral Palsy which is a physical disability, but intellectually I'm like any other fortysomething-year-old. The simple description of my form of CP is that the signals from my brain to my body get muddled up, and the result is spasmodic movements and a lack of control over my body.

 

Due to my disability, I’m unable to verbally speak so I communicate by using my computers. Actually, people say I talk more than some verbal people! When I'm out 'n about I use a portable eyegaze system that has voice output so I do have a voice.

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Until using eyegaze systems (both on my home desktop PC and Surface Pro tablet) I used a headswitch with laptops during my high school and Tafe days. I had to use this form of typing for 24 years, so you can imagine how thankful I am to have my eyegaze systems and I'm so grateful to those who donated to raise funds to buy this amazing technology!

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I went to both mainstream primary and secondary schools. In 1997 I completed my VCE and three years later I completed my Diploma in Arts of Professional Writing and Editing.

 

Since finishing my Diploma I've had articles and poetry published in several magazines, newspapers and books including 2016's From The Outer. In March 2008 I was accepted by Orble to start my own music site then in 2010 I went independent and registered Gigs 'n Interviews. In 2015 I published my 200th interview! Also in 2015, I started writing reviews for The Big Issue.

 

I've self-published books too. I'm a poet and have self-published poetry and children's books in the past, including a book called You Can, which empowers young children with physical disabilities to achieve whatever they want.  You can purchase my books from: https://au.blurb.com/user/missjacqui7

 

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