OUR STORY
Being BRAVE to live our
UNIQUE life
We are a family learning to navigate life
in ways that work for all of us.
Sometimes that means challenging expectations, advocating for what our children need, creating our own resources or building opportunities that don't yet exist.
Through Bravique, we're sharing that journey — bringing together family life, specialist teaching, faith, research and creativity to support others finding their own way.
OUR FAMILY, OUR WHY
Family
Our family is at the heart of Bravique and everything we do. We're blessed with five wonderful children, one of whom is Sammy, our non-speaking autistic son, who experiences the world in his own unique way.
Over time, school became increasingly difficult for Sammy, eventually leading to school refusal. This changed so much for our family. Sam became his full-time carer, and together we've learnt to navigate everyday life around Sammy's needs while making sure our other children have opportunities to grow, explore and enjoy life too.
Our family experiences life a little differently. It takes courage to advocate, challenge expectations, find new ways of doing things and sometimes take a path that looks different from everyone else's. It's a constant balancing act, filled with challenges, compromises, creativity and plenty of learning along the way.
Bravique reflects who we are as a family — learning to be brave, embracing what makes us unique, and finding ways to experience life together, in our own way.
CREATING A FUTURE WITH PURPOSE
Father & Son -
Creating with Purpose
Before becoming Sammy's full-time carer, Sam worked in the disability support sector and had a career as a professional performing artist, bringing together creativity, compassion and practical experience.
Our Father & Son initiative grew from a desire to create something meaningful for both Sam and Sammy — an opportunity to work together, develop skills and contribute to our family business in their own ways.
It's about much more than making educational resources. It's about recognising Sammy's abilities, building on his strengths and interests, and creating opportunities for him to participate in meaningful, enjoyable work alongside his dad.
Like many parents of children with significant support needs, we think a lot about Sammy's future, including what life might look like when we're no longer here to support him.
Our hope is to build something that grows alongside Sammy — creating opportunities for today while laying the foundations for his future.
Watch this space as Father & Son begins bringing our ideas to life!
Research & Advocacy
Mum, Educator & Researcher
Where Lived Experience Meets Education & Research
Alongside our family journey, Bravique is shaped by my work as a specialist teacher and PhD researcher.
As both a mum and an educator, I bring personal and professional experience to supporting children with additional learning and communication needs. Through Bravique, I'll be sharing practical teaching ideas, strategies and resources I've designed through my specialist teaching practice, alongside resources inspired by our own family's experiences.
My PhD research explores the educational journeys of non-speaking autistic children across Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly the choices families make, the challenges they face, and how these experiences affect parental confidence, stress and wellbeing.
This research is deeply personal, driven by a desire to better understand families' experiences, advocate for more responsive and flexible education systems, and ensure their voices are heard.
Bravique brings these worlds together — family, lived experience, teaching, research and creativity — turning what we've learnt into practical resources, meaningful opportunities and encouragement for other families and educators.
OUR FAITH, OUR FOUNDATION!
Finding Miracles in the Meltdowns
Our faith is a big part of our family's journey. It doesn't mean life is always easy or that we have all the answers, but it's what keeps us grounded through the challenges, uncertainties and everyday realities of raising a family with different needs.
Miracles in Meltdowns grew from this place — a desire to share honest reflections, encouragement and the hope we find in God, even on the hardest days.
It's a devotional for parents navigating life with autistic children, bringing together scripture, practical encouragement, worship, reflection and opportunities to pause and reconnect with God.
Not because every day is easy, but because even in the difficult moments, there can still be hope, growth and something worth holding on to.
