Belinda is an inspiration

Belinda Harris is an inspiration to many.

A valued member of our Brisbane North administration team based at Stafford, she has worked for Anglicare Southern Queensland for the past 12 years, getting her first job with us straight out of high school.

Living with cerebral palsy has not stopped Belinda from achieving her goals and in fact strengthened her resolve to live life to the fullest and make a difference through her work and volunteerism.

The 32-year-old from Kallangur in Moreton Bay recently graduated from the University of the Sunshine Coast with a Bachelor of Business with a double major in tourism, leisure and event management, and marketing, and was recognised with a Chancellor’s Medal.

Belinda was acknowledged by the USC Chancellor Sir Angus Houston as an inspirational person for her positive attitude, patience, determination and resilience.

“It has been wonderful working at Anglicare. It is so inclusive. I am not treated any differently to any other person and it is so important to me,” she said.

“The same was with the University which was so open and inclusive and a more intimate community, you knew everyone and everyone knew you.

“My motto in life is ‘where there is a will, there is a way’ and there will always be challenges in life and people that tell you ‘no, you can’t do that’.

“But, if you have a drive or a passion to do something in life and think outside the box, there is always a way to overcome challenges and achieve dreams.”

According to USC News, during her undergraduate degree Belinda had an assignment published in the Australian Association of Social Marketing’s Viewpoint publication on the low graduate employment rate for university graduates with a disability – a topic that’s inspiring Belinda to contemplate post-graduate study.

“I am considering doing my honours degree to further research and explore one of my passions, which is accessible tourism and thinking about starting my own business in accessible tourism consulting in the future,” Belinda told USC news.

“I wanted to be able to demonstrate to others that being in a wheelchair is no limitation to being an active and contributing member of a community, and to help break the stigma and change perceptions of people with a disability, to promote inclusiveness.

“Being able to help a community become more accessible and inclusive is my number one aim, and you can only do that by going out there and getting involved and educating people on the importance of and many benefits of inclusive communities.”

Find out more about working or volunteering with Anglicare Southern Queensland here.