When Michelle held Ivy for the first time, she was filled with blissful adoration and pure joy. Michelle had so many dreams for her daughter.  Among these: for Ivy to attend ballet lessons, play netball, and achieve typical milestones such as taking her first steps.

Two weeks later, Michelle was told Ivy had cerebral palsy. This was such a surprise for the family!

With one in two kids with disabilities experiencing bullying and finding it very hard to fit in at school, Michelle’s concerns started to grow.

Would you please donate today to stand up against bullying and help ensure more primary school kids across Queensland learn about disability, empathy and inclusion?

Michelle was concerned about how she could ensure Ivy would grow into a happy and confident child. How would other kids react to her having a disability? And would Ivy have close friendships and grow strong enough to deal with bullies at school?

With your support, the Variety Just Like You program will ensure students engage with people with disabilities through a series of fun and interactive awareness workshops.

These workshops will ensure future generations of Aussie kids understand that kids like Ivy are just like them. But with the program currently only available in a few schools, your kindness will ensure the program is expanded to schools all around Queensland.

Ivy is now 10 years old and thinks bullying is completely unacceptable.

She knows first-hand how much it hurts when people are mean to her because she is in a motorised wheelchair. But she is strong and has flourished into a happy, confident girl through her participation in Variety programs and her family's unconditional support.

Sadly, the number of kids with a disability reporting mental health, suicide, bullying or emotional abuse is increasing in Australia. We need your urgent support to ensure more kids join Variety inclusion programs.

As Ivy’s mum, Michelle, says:

​​​​​​​“If you are considering donating to Variety, please do so. Variety’s programs have changed Ivy’s perspective on the world and enabled her to access experiences she otherwise wouldn’t be able to. You will open the eyes to other kids like Ivy, widen their horizons, improve their physical and emotional wellbeing, and encourage them to change the world.”