Kerry-Anne Lewis

Before leaving school I worked doing babysitting for two families and did some work experience in a caravan park taking rents and entering the information into their computer. I remember how I would look forward to working with the kids who would often talk to me about things they couldn't with their parents.

When I first left school I was a little anxious about leaving home for university so decided to go to TAFE first to learn an interest area - horticulture. I worked in 3 plant nurseries doing casual work where I worked in propagation and growing on areas (repotting into larger pots and detailing them in preparation for sale). I have also had sales experience with both retailers and wholesalers due to the fact these nurseries sold to both. The three casual jobs were all asking to work overlapping days and I wanted something a bit more secure. My father saw an advertisement for Coles in a brand new store opening and the suggested I do a bakery apprenticeship. I started as such and progressed into a bakery manager but stepped down to second in charge before I had my baby who was born in 2013. During this time I did my diploma in counselling and the major areas as I wanted to see if I liked it before going to university. I had already been accepted into university after leaving school but deferred due to feeling anxious about my ability to provide for myself outside of home. Whilst working full time at the bakery I completed not only my diplomas but my bachelor degree as well. I developed a positive work relationship with many coworkers (which makes it hard to leave) and managers. Once I finished my degree I continued to work at Coles as my son was young and my personal relationship was struggling and I felt a little burnt out and thought it wasn't the right time for a complete upheaval of my life. I also felt if I wasn't ok in myself I really couldn't give people the experience they really needed. My now ex partner is a diagnosed Cluster B. I have spent an awful lot of time (a few hours everyday for a few years now) researching and reading and listening on how to deal more effectively with these people. I have also worked with people who were also diagnosed with Cluster B. Mostly these people were diagnosed NPD and BPD and one HPD.

It was literally after taking my son to mixed martial arts and seeing a man named Kyoshi William Wakefield take a class full of kids with ADHD , ODD etc and talk to them positively, put them on the right track, enforce boundaries and teach them morals that I felt it was time. I wanted to use my skills I have learnt and want to learn from others. I want to work with others so I can improve my skills. I want to help children so they can lead better lives. I want to see children rise above their diagnosis by using their strengths and not being just confined to the limits of their diagnosis. I know that there are autistic savants that cannot write their name but can draw an entire city in one fly over or make accurate statues of horses or so many others things. I believe in helping people find their strength, self worth and confidence. I believe that people are more than their traumas and understand how hard it is to overcome. I have been through a lot and helping others see in themselves something they aren't yet able to see in themselves gives me purpose. I have grown as a person so much over the years that now I want to give back. I want to do what my entire life has been building towards.

Horticulture diplomas,

Baking certificate,

Counselling diplomas,

Bachelor of Science majoring in Psychology