‘Miracle Mama’, disability advocate and inspirational coach for mothers of children with disability Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo will emcee at the 2018 Melbourne Disability Expo in November.
“The expo helps to build a stronger and more resilient community, as families have all the tools they need to help their child live to their full potential, but also the entire family unit as a whole,” says Ms Roberts-Mazzeo.
As winner of the 2017 AusMumpreneur’s Influencer Award, it all began for Ms Roberts-Mazzeo five years ago when she started blogging about her daughter Chiara’s diagnosis.
A rare brain condition called polymicrogyria had caused Chiara’s brain to develop lots of unusually tight folds, which left her unable to speak, walk, or hold herself upright.
In her blog called Chiara’s Journey, Ms Roberts-Mazzeo reflected on the chaos and overwhelm that disability or diagnosis brings to a family.
“You don’t know how to find yourself underneath the enormity of the life spinning around you. Your child’s health consumes your thoughts and you worry, oh how you worry,” she wrote.
Coming from a background in yoga and meditation, she used her platform to share ways that women could live life to their full potential and help their family do likewise. Her online community is now an international movement that includes self-development programs and speaking tours.
“As a passionate advocate for disability, my biggest hope is to spread more positive awareness. The potential beyond a diagnosis or disability is such a powerful focus. I witness this on a daily basis with my own daughter, who has multiple diagnosis. She reminds me that despite physical abilities, we are all one.”
At the Melbourne Disability Expo, community and education are key factors in providing support for families who may still be adjusting to life with disability. The expo brings together over 150 providers, organisations and agencies with the best products, services, technology, aids and equipment available in Melbourne.
“Accessibility is our number one issue. Access to treatments and therapies, access to equipment with reliable timeframes, access to respite for families, access to changing and toilet facilities in community, access to consistent and reliable support via NDIS, access to life in general. There is still so much work needed, in order for all those living with a disability and their carers to thrive.”
As emcee of the Melbourne Disability Expo, Ms Roberts-Mazzeo will open the event at 11am, Friday November 16, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Melbourne Disability Expo Highlights
- Friday and Saturday, November 16 and 17, 9am to 3pm
- Opening Ceremony: Friday, October 26, 11am
- Emcee Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo from Miracle Mama
- NDIS Q&A sessions
- Stage performances by all-ability performance groups
- Kids’ entertainment
- Over 150 exhibitors
Come and see Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre,1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf VIC 3006 on Friday and Saturday, November 16 and 17, 9am-3pm.
Register HERE to attend the Melbourne Disability Expo, organised by Social Impact Institute, advancing the social impact of organisations and increasing access to the right products and services for people with disability.
ABOUT Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo
Natalie Roberts-Mazzeo helps parents slow down and reconnect, not feel so alone, and find resources and advice to help them on their journey raising a special needs child. She provides inspiration, community and connection for other ‘Miracle Mamas’ on her website, in speaking tours, coaching and meditation programs.
ABOUT Social Impact Institute
Social Impact Institute has been managing disability expos for five years, developing partnerships with local entities to increase social impact for the greater good of the disability sector. As innovators, creatives and strategic problem solvers, Social Impact Institute helps organisations find creative solutions to complex problems.