Stephen has always wanted to write a book about his life and thanks to some of his Life Choices funding, he was able to achieve his dream.
Stephen has used his funding to pay a support worker to help him to learn to read, refine his writing skills, use a computer, research family photo albums and write the content to match the photos. Stephen and his support worker Bruno worked on this book for about ten hours per week until it was completed.
Stephen has so many family members, friends, supporters and networks in his home town of Lithgow, and they were all there to support him and purchase his book at the launch on 7 June 2010 in the local library. Stephen was very touched to have so many people attend his book launch including Naomi James and David Hogg from Lifestyle Solutions.
There was so much admiration for Stephen's achievements from the supporters at the launch. Stephen wanted to do something nice with some of the proceeds from his book, so he donated money to Westmead Children’s Hospital. He travelled to Sydney with his mother and support worker to present the cheque which gave him an enormous sense of pride and achievement.
Stephen's book I Will Never Give Up Trying mirrors his life as he constantly sets himself new goals and keeps trying until they are achieved.
Stephen truly believes that his Life Choices funding has given him so many flexible options to do things in his life which he would not otherwise have had the chance to do.