Residents are invited to make a trip to Toowoomba for the Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) Information and Discovery Workshop, featuring guest speaker Michelle Taylor-Holmes, an award-winning photographer with an inspiring journey.
Michelle never imagined she’d have the confidence to travel solo. Diagnosed with autism in her late 40s, the Laidley resident has embraced her invisible disability and embarked on a path of self-discovery and adventure.
Earlier last year, the 55-year-old embarked on her first overseas trip to attend a photographic tour in New Zealand.
Michelle planned to have a travel companion, but when they couldn’t make it, she decided to take the trip by herself.
Before her diagnosis, Michelle would have to do a ‘dummy run’ with a companion ahead of a trip so she knew where to go and what to do.
These days Michelle knows the power of forward planning, and she spent days researching and planning every aspect of her New Zealand journey to keep her anxiety at bay.
“I love Google Maps because it shows me exactly where I need to go and which exit I had to go out at the airport,” Michelle said. “It took away every bit of stress.
“Once I got out of the airplane in Christchurch and stepped out on the tarmac there were tears because there was so much to take on board.
“The sensory overload and gravity of what I’d achieved. I just stood there for a minute to ground myself.”
Michelle, who lives on her own, said since returning from New Zealand her self-confidence had grown and she regularly attends social events at Gatton’s new community space and café, Gatt & Co.
The Lockyer Valley resident, who was an early childhood educator in the Sunshine Coast before moving out west, says the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has been her “biggest lifesaver.”
Since accessing regular psychologist appointments, Michelle’s developed strategies to cope in stressful situations. She also handpicked NDIS-funded support workers to help her be the best version of herself.
In 2022, Michelle took part in Carers Queensland’s Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) Microbusiness Program to further her knowledge base and grow her online photography business, Australian Nature Photography.
BYOB is a free six-month offering that aims to empower, educate and support people with disability, who are interested in self-employment, to create or grow their own microbusiness.
Michelle said after completing the program, her cohort set up a private social media page to exchange ideas and encourage each other.
It was through this page Michelle found out about the Recovered Futures Art Exhibition, a feature of Queensland Mental Health Week. She submitted a photo and it was chosen to be displayed.
“The event is held in Brisbane in King George Square and they have a big marquee set up and you walk down a red carpet and to see the works,” Michelle said. “It was quite a wonderful experience, and I sold that piece of work as well.”
After completing the program, Michelle also went on to have her own art exhibition and win awards for photographic work as well as being a finalist in the National Award for Disability Leadership ‘Art Category’.
In May this year, she received two commendations in The Landscape Awards 2024. One was for a photo she took in New Zealand called ‘Glorious Morning’ and another taken at Forest Hill in the Lockyer Valley named ‘Cotton Candy’.
Michelle describes the photo, taken in a cotton field, as “a serene sunrise painting the skies in hues of gold and orange.”
With a renewed vigour for making the most out of her life, Michelle will soon add another feather to her cap as the guest speaker for the BYOB program that starts in Toowoomba on Thursday 11 July.
It’s the first time the program has ventured out west, having previously been held in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Ipswich.
“To walk into a room of strangers can be daunting I know, so I want others with disability to know I’m available if they want to chat privately during morning tea or after the session,” Michelle said.
She said the program was run at a pace suitable for people who took a little longer to process information, something she appreciated.
“I also felt supported by Carers Queensland staff and fellow participants, I thought it would be a scary environment but it wasn’t,” she said.
“I encourage others with disability who have a business idea to consider taking part in the BYOB program, you never know what might come out of it.”
As for what’s next, Michelle heads to the Blue Mountains in August and back overseas in November, this time to Thailand.
“I’m going to ring the airline and ask for disability support, something I would never have had the courage to do a few years ago,” Michelle said.
“I am proud of myself, especially when just five years ago I was homeless.
“Now I have people telling me how they’re inspired by me. But I’m just trying to finally be myself and live an honest and positive life.”
People with disability are invited to register to attend Carers Queensland BYOB Toowoomba Information and Discovery Workshop on Thursday 11 July from 10.00am-12.00pm at Grand Central Shopping Centre.
To register your interest, visit carersqld.com.au/ndis/inclusion-projects/be-your-own-boss/
