By Jessica Micallef
Kelsey Carlisle’s zest for life is inspirational.
Kelsey, 22, and her twin sister, Kelly, were born prematurely at 24 weeks at the Royal Women’s Hospital.
The sisters were given a three per cent chance of survival. Kelsey had 11 blood transfusions, her lungs frequently collapsed and she was placed in an induced coma.
As the Sunbury twins grew up, Kelsey said their premature births had an ongoing impact
“It came with a mild intellectual disability,” she said.
“We were both diagnosed with that condition 10 years ago. It affected my social skills. I struggled to make new friends.
“It sucked, but mum always said, ‘Don’t let your disability define who you are’.”
Kelsey took those words to heart.
She went to university then applied for a job with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal with help from disability employment service Workways.
“I applied at RMIT University for an advanced diploma in legal practice,” she said. “[Then] my performance manager from Workways called me up saying, ‘There’s a position at VCAT’ and I said, ‘Put my name down please’.
“It was a big process for me. Going into the interview was really nerve-wracking, but I wowed VCAT.”
Kelsey now works as an administrative officer for VCAT.
She said her employment was her way of proving people wrong.
“Back in school, teachers told my sister and I that we won’t be able to do anything because of our disability,” she said.
“That really affected us until we turned around and said we are not going to let this effect us any more.
“If you have a passion for something, your passion could lead you anywhere.
“I think of myself as an advocate, as a voice. I see people with disabilities and I can see they struggle to find a job because in a job application they ask if you have a disability. You write what that is and you get rejected.
“I just think it’s wrong. You can’t help something you are born with.
“All I wanted was to be understood. People understand who I am … not what I am born with.”
