How inspiring award winners with different abilities are thriving

The 2022 Business disABILITY Award winners have shared their inspiring stories and opened up about how they plan to continue making an impact on the world.

It’s been a journey for these Toowoomba award recipients, who despite facing unimaginable challenges, have continued to make the world a better place.

They were each honoured for their contributions at the Business disABILITY Awards, which were founded in 2012, by Kim Stokes, Paul Wilson and David Wallis.

For nine years, the annual ceremony has recognised people living with disabilities and advocates for their incredible contributions to the community.

This month, the event was held at Wellcamp Airport and recognised several inspiring people.

We sat down with them to discuss their awards, how their different abilities do not define them and how they plan to continue making an impact.

Sharon Boyce – The Judy Antonio Memorial Award

As a child, Sharon Boyce recalls being healthy, sporty and so active that she barely spent a moment still.

But by the time she was 11, she was seeing a physiotherapist once a week and was diagnosed with Juvenile Chronic Arthritis.

“I went from being a kid who could do everything to not being able to walk up stairs by the end of high school, to looking at getting an electric wheelchair when I was in uni, to breaking my neck at the age of 30,” Dr Boyce said.

“For me, when the doctor told me ‘I don’t know if you’ll survive’, that was the moment I knew I’d received a second chance to do what I love, to raise disability awareness and to just keep going.”

Now aged in her 50s, Dr Boyce has dedicated the past 15 years of her life to educating others and advocating for people living with disabilities.

Despite being recognised with many prestigious awards over the years, receiving the Judy Antonio Memorial Award, which honours Judy’s legacy, will always hold a special place in Sharon’s heart.

“Judy and I worked together on many occasions and the work she did for across Toowoomba was amazing,” Dr Boyce said.

“So when the reality that I’d received this award sunk in, it shows the type of work I’m doing will make a real impact for years to come, just as Judy did with her life.”

The founder of Discovering disABILITY and Diversity, is also one of 12 members on the Queensland Government’s 12-member Legacy Committee.

Recipient Sharon Boyce (centre) of the 2022 Business disABILITY Awards has opened up about life with different abilities. Pictures: Contributed – Matt Ryan

Fraser Wiedman – Elissa Flanagan Aim High Scholarship

Just eight years ago, Fraser Wiedman struggled to find paid employment in the hospitality industry, but after volunteering in the kitchen of St Vincent’s Hospital, he continued to make great strides.

Now, he is working at the Impressions On Scott Cafe with his managers saying Fraser is “an absolute natural in the hospitality field” and “everyone needs a Fraser” in their business.

His favourite tasks include preparing salads and plating up desserts.

“When I am in the kitchen and the chef is cooking burgers and frying chips, I can only focus on one thing at a time,” he said.

“I like to make sure that everything is done in order.”

The award which honours Elissa Flanagan and her philosophy that nothing is impossible, provides the recipient with a $2000 scholarship to assist recipients in enhancing their professional development, training and education.

Passionate about his career, Fraser plans to complete a barista course with the assistance of the funds, with the possibility of also enrolling in a Certificate III.

Recipient Fraser Wiedman (centre) of the 2022 Business disABILITY Awards has opened up about life with different abilities. Pictures: Contributed – Matt Ryan

Joshua Brown – Outstanding Employee

It hasn’t been an easy road for Joshua Brown, who was diagnosed with ADHD as a young child, Autism in high school and depression in his senior years.

The 26-year-old who has been working as a cleaner at Angie’s Domestic Duties for the past eight years, was recognised for displaying “notable effort or attitude” in his workplace.

Excelling in his career, Mr Brown said everyone had the right to secure paid employment, regardless of if they lived with a disability or not and the opportunity he had received had assisted him in several ways.

After struggling with the stress of high school, Mr Brown separated his final year over the course of 24 months.

“(My job) has definitely had a positive impact – it’s really alleviated a big concern of mine which was that I wouldn’t perform well in the workplace,” Mr Brown said.

“On a deeper level, my work has provided me with a real sense of consistency and has given me the confidence to maintain other aspects of my life that I would otherwise have struggled with.

“It offers me a sense of independence and self-sufficiency and helps me to stay organised, take care of myself and my wellbeing and interact with society more than I usually would.”

Mr Brown said while he’s still in a sense of disbelief about his big win, it reassured him that the work he is doing matters and has provided him with a sense of accomplishment.

“I hope I can serve as an example for others who are struggling with different abilities, self-confidence or with finding employment,” he said.

“(My diagnosis) doesn’t change who I am so I’m just going to keep being me and doing the best job I can.

“It’s important to recognise my hard work, but it’s equally important to recognise the people who have helped me get as far as I have, especially my mum and stepmum.”

Recipient Joshua Brown (right) of the 2022 Business disABILITY Awards has opened up about life with different abilities. Pictures: Matt Ryan

Nadia Brady – Outstanding Volunteer (winner)

Passionate about making a difference and giving marginalised people a voice, Nadia Brady (they/them) has been recognised for their service to the community.

The 34-year-old said they have struggled over the years with chronic illnesses, mental health and their Autism diagnosis which they received in their early 20s.

Despite receiving their diagnosis later, Nadia said they were grateful as it made them realise why they struggled in some areas and allowed them to better relate to others.

“I’ve always been a bit eccentric and a little different,” they said.

“(When I received my diagnosis) it was like the first time I put glasses on – it was like ‘oh, so this is how the world should look.’”

Volunteering since they were a child, Nadia said they didn’t feel like they belonged until later in their adult life.

Since learning to advocate for themself and after receiving recognition for their work, they have felt more accepted and hopes their story can inspire others.

Their diverse volunteer experience includes being an active member on the Toowoomba Regional Council’s Regional Access and Disability Advisory Committee, Queenslanders with Disability Network, Toowoomba For Climate Action and Battle of Meewah Commemoration groups.

Nadia said their advice to anyone living with a disability who may be struggling, is to not allow their different abilities to stop them from achieving their goals.

“Going back a few generations, someone like me would have really struggled but difference and diversity is mostly celebrated now – you don’t have to fit that cookie cutter mould,” they said.

“Before something amazing happens, you have to take that first step and if it doesn’t work out, don’t let it dishearten you – just try something new.”

Recipient Nadia Brady (right) of the 2022 Business disABILITY Awards has opened up about life with different abilities. Pictures: Contributed – Matt Ryan

Additional award recipients:

• Jye Rollins – Outstanding Volunteer (highly commended)

• Wilsonton State School – Social Inclusion

• Westbrook Gardens Early Learning – Innovation and Access

• Impressions on Scott and Pulse Cafe – Education and Training

• Jaydon Adams Memorial Foundation – Indigenous Champion

• Vinita Saunders – Business Engagement

• McDonalds Toowoomba – Outstanding Employer