14/10/2026
This is James 💚
James was one of my very first clients when I started Chasing Hope over three years ago. I cannot begin to express how proud I am of him, or how grateful I am to be part of his life.
When we first met, James needed 24/7 one-on-one support. Today, he lives with far greater independence and much less assistance.
There is no dollar figure that could ever capture what it means to watch James learn something new and surprise even himself with what he can do. Or to be there as he finds the words to express his feelings and communicate what he needs, where those emotions might once have become too overwhelming.
Watching his confidence grow and seeing more of his loving, joyful and charismatic personality has been an incredible privilege. James has taught me so much in such a short time, and I am honoured to be part of his life.
James has put so much into getting here. His strength, his kindness and his willingness to keep moving forward deserve to be recognised.
I’ll be honest: at times, the public conversation about the NDIS, providers and support workers leaves me absolutely gutted. The wrongdoing of some casts a shadow over so many people doing the right thing, and the human stories can get lost along the way.
Stories like James’s remind us why the right support matters. I tear up thinking about where he might be today if the support he needed back then hadn’t been available. I am deeply grateful that it was.
With our team beside him, James has built genuine community relationships and a real sense of family and belonging within Chasing Hope. Some of those connections have grown into friendships that extend beyond work hours with multiple staff hosting James at their own homes completely off the clock. I am also so proud to have a caring team who also see what I have always seen in James: a young man with so much to offer.
Does he have his moments? Absolutely 😂 But don’t we all 🙌 To say he has come leaps and bounds would be an understatement.
Here he is volunteering at our Nyah West property, doing his bit to help build the vision for our future food project and hub. James is contributing to something he is part of, and we’re so proud to have him beside us as it takes shape.
There is so much more I could say about this young man. He has been through more than many of us could imagine, yet he still shares that smile, that affection and that beautiful kindness.
James, we see you. We value you. And we are so proud of you.
To those who choose to judge on any level.
Just be kind.
See the human before the disability.
- Bec x
