I am Grace and there are a lot of things I am proud of, like playing the piano, starting up an online card store as my microbusiness, taking part in a theatre production, doing well in school and getting some Awards as well. I also completed the Animal study, cert II Vet course in 2018. I also happen to have Down syndrome, visual impairment and hearing impairment.
I have been learning piano since I was 6 years old. It is not until I was about 11, when mum took over teaching me that I actually managed to play the piano. My mum developed a special method to help me learn the piano. There are colour-coordinated chords so I can play without having to read the notes.
I practice every evening.
I play hymns at Church regularly and played in the school talent quest for 5 consecutive years. I won the encouragement award once. I also played in the Tutti concert.
My best performance was ‘Music of the Night’, from Phantom of the opera. I played it in one of the talent quests.
In 2018, I took part in the theatre production ‘Say No More’, and I had to say my script, dance and sing as well. I often find it difficult to speak up, but I am very proud of myself for speaking up in the play.
I am setting up an online handmade card store as my micro Business when I leave school. I donate 30% of my sales to Tutti and other charities.
At school, I have been in mainstream, classes. I can read and write. I can certainly do Maths as well.
I have got a number of awards at school, including the Talent quest – Encouragement Award in year 8, Academic Excellence Award in year 10 and Lorraine Russell Award in year 11.
In 2018, I also completed Animal care certificate 2 Vet course. I enjoyed the course, but it was difficult to find a dog day care centre to accept me. My mum helped me apply, and in the end found one that accepted me.
I also enjoy swimming and dancing. I am very proud of what I have achieved and I hope to do more.
You can follow Grace on Facebook to learn more about her techniques.