The Makeup Of Human Kind - Episode 2 - Adelle’s Story
Meet Adelle - an incredibly focused, driven, and hardworking disability carer who not only supports others but also manages her own business. Despite living with a disability herself, she approaches every challenge with unwavering determination and compassion.
Adelle’s ability to balance the demands of her career with her personal experiences as a person with a disability gives her a unique perspective and deep empathy for those she cares for.
She uses her own journey as a source of motivation, constantly striving to provide the highest level of care while ensuring her business thrives. Her resilience and commitment make her an inspiration to both her clients and colleagues alike.
Before discovering her true passion for disability caring, Adelle worked in a variety of jobs, but none ever felt quite right. Everything changed when she attended an expo and had a defining moment—a sign, she felt, that pointed her towards the field she was meant to be in. Since then, four years have passed, and Adelle has never looked back.
Having lived with a disability since the age of 13, the long and often frustrating journey to diagnosis, surgeries, and adjusting to life’s many changes left her with a deep understanding of what it means to face challenges. Now, she feels as though she’s finally found her purpose—helping others navigate the same struggles she’s overcome. Her personal experience fuels her dedication, making her not only a caregiver but also a passionate advocate for those living with disabilities.
For many years, Adelle tirelessly sought help for her own disability, only to face constant frustration and setbacks. The struggle to receive the care and support she needed—despite her disability not always being visible—left her feeling unheard and overlooked. The emotional toll of multiple surgeries and the ongoing battle to get proper assistance are experiences she carries with her every day. These challenges have fuelled her passion to ensure that others living with disabilities are seen and heard more clearly, and sooner.
Adelle is committed to advocating for her clients, so they don’t have to endure the same lengthy, disheartening journey she did. She knows firsthand that just because a disability isn’t always visible doesn’t mean it isn’t real or important, and she wants to make sure others get the recognition and care they deserve without delay.
Adelle has often been asked if she would change the course of events that led to the challenges she faces today, but her response is always the same: she wouldn’t. She doesn’t know a life other than this one, and everything she’s gone through has shaped her into the person she is now. Growing up, she was active in sports and enjoyed horseback riding, but when high school hit, everything took a turn. She became seriously ill, learning to navigate life through the struggles that followed. Though the surgeries were difficult and painful, she found ways to keep working and eventually rehomed to be with family as she transitioned back to her hometown, working to rebuild and readjust her life. At times, the pain was overwhelming, but Adelle learned to cope with it without always showing it to others. There was a period when she lived a carefree, “normal” life, traveling and partying, but that all changed when her first major surgery at age 22 stopped those plans in their tracks. From then on, multiple surgeries and intense rehabilitation followed, but through it all, Adelle has remained strong, learning to deal with the physical and emotional tolls in a way that still allows her to push forward.
Adelle draws inspiration from several key people in her life, each of whom has had a profound impact on her. First and foremost, her sister is a constant source of support and inspiration. She’s not only Adelle’s sounding board but also someone with whom she can laugh and have fun. Her sister stood by her through a terrifying domestic violence ordeal, helping to keep both Adelle and her son safe.
Adelle also looks up to her father, a strong, headstrong man who will occasionally show emotion to his family but is a protector and a positive influence, embodying the qualities of a rock-solid father figure.
Another person who inspires Adelle is Karen, the mother of two of her clients. Karen has two sons who are disabled, and she handles everything with such strength, grace, and love. Karen has become like family to Adelle, and she deeply admires the way she juggles everything. Adelle would do anything to help her, and she holds Karen in the highest regard for her unwavering strength and resilience.
When Adelle is asked what advice she would give to anyone who resonates with her story, her response is simple yet powerful: "Everyone has a story, and you should never judge a book by its cover." She believes in the importance of being open, being honest, and accepting people for who they truly are. Adelle knows firsthand how easy it is to make assumptions, but through her own experiences, she’s learned that everyone is carrying something beneath the surface. Her advice is to approach others with compassion and understanding, to listen before forming opinions, and to always remember that there’s so much more to each person than what meets the eye.
Now for the 5 burning questions we will be asking all our guests. We ask them to answer honestly and with what first comes to mind:
What is something that brings you joy - The Outdoors - sitting outside her home and listening to red and white tail cockatoos
What do you think is your personality type - weird as hell (laughs) - i can talk a lot and I feel that i’m a bit of a black sheep
There’s a difference between being alone and being lonely - when do you think was the last time you ever felt lonely - when me and my best friend recently had a disagreement - it sucked
What is something that inspires you - my son and his openness to the world - the fresh eyes that he has
What are you most scared of right now in life - My health turning to absolute sh!t and me not being able to work the way that I do currently
Thanks for reading Adelle’s story on The Makeup Of Humankind. All of us have a story to tell and we hope this will resonate with someone and inspire them.
Photography by Nigel Gaunt
Makeup and Hair Christina Rodio
Photos taken at M-Studios Photography
