genU client, ‘Princess Rosie’, also known as Christy, was a special guest speaker as part of the 2025 grad program induction at the genU Support Hub. 

Princess Rosie’ shared her insights with genU’s Allied Health team and new grads, about how genU’s Allied Health support plays such an important role in helping her live a full life.

Despite telling the group she was nervous, Christy was very confident talking and spoke with passion about her life, her friends and family, and the interests she is currently pursuing. 

After telling everyone she was ‘so happy to be here’, she kept everyone captivated and entertained as she opened up about her full and interesting life and new skills she has learnt as she continues to grow. 

Her first topic was Neighbours, the infamous Aussie soap that she’s watched for 30 years, and how it was also the focus of a current writing project, which she finds motivating when working toward goals supported by a genU Allied Health Occupational Therapist.

Christy shared her goal to one day decorate her own room in a princess theme, which is another act of independence genU is working to support her to achieve. 

This would also be a nod to her life-long love of pink, which was inspired by her mother, who was also responsible for Christy taking on her princess persona. 

“My mum gave me the middle name Elisabeth when I was a baby, which makes me a Princess,” she said.

The support genu’s Allied Health provides Christy helps her to create an environment to help her expand her skills. She is proud of her many achievements, and learning new skills, including keeping her room tidy, and cooking nutritious meals. 

“I do my own washing with no one helping me,” Christy said.

Currently Christy is learning to use a computer and has plans to save up for her own. Importantly, the Allied Health team is teaching her techniques to stay safe online and not give out personal details. 

genU Allied Health staff also provide comforting support and strategies to help her feel better when she is feeling sad or overwhelmed. 

“I also do my breathing which makes me calm,” she said, demonstrating to the group her deep breathing technique. 

As part of the extensive support network genU provides Christy, Client Wellbeing Officer Gary Ingels also plays a special role in offering important advice and guidance for her to improve how she’s feeling.

She is excited about potential new challenges and growth opportunities, and is looking into joining the genU Drama Stars, which will help her stay connected to the community, create a new circle of friends, and allow her personality to shine on stage.

In expressing her creativity, Christy likes to write and draw and make colourful wristbands. “I’m a very good artist and I love painting,” she said.

Christy is also preparing for her first market stall, with genU staff currently supporting her to get everything ready to sell her colourful wristbands. 

To show appreciation and gratitude for Christy sharing her insights, Allied Health Senior Occupational Therapist Ash Feehan presented Princess Rosie with a framed certificate from genU CEO Clare Amies, a bag of goodies, and a tiara which was a perfect fit.

Clare said genU’s purpose was underpinned by providing clients the support they needed to reach their full potential and important life goals. 

“We are passionate about building genuinely inclusive communities, and it’s for clients like Christy that we strive for this vision every day in our work,” Clare said. 

“We want to enrich the lives our clients, and Christy is leading a full life, with genU providing three vital ingredients – connections, supports and opportunities.”

Allied Health Graduate Program participant Isabella Tassi thoroughly enjoyed hearing about Christy’s life and her interests, and it would have a lingering impact. 

“‘Princess Rosie’ was very much the highlight of the two-week induction program,” she said. 

“As an emerging Behaviour Support Practitioner, it was wholesome for me to see the connection and organic rapport built between Christy and the staff at genU.” 

It was also an insight into how the support worker and client relationship can create meaningful and positive outcomes while encouraging independence, choice and control. 

genU Allied Health Operations Manager Lyndal Rickard said the talk underlined the impact genU has for clients every day.

“This was such a timely reminder for me, of ‘why we do what we do’ within the Allied Health team at genU,” Lyndal said.  

“Christy was able to explain the support she receives from Occupational Therapy and Behaviour support services at genU so beautifully and provide examples of strategies Occupational Therapy have provided to manage stress and when she feels overwhelmed.”  

“I walked away feeling incredibly proud of the services we provide, the skilled practitioners and therapists we employ, and the difference we make in people’s lives.”