When Jamie lost his sight at 27 due to retinitis pigmentosa, he could have easily lost his way.
But instead, he found a new path.
One that not only brought independence back into his life but also helped his culture shine brighter in his community.
Jamie’s journey from vision loss to cultural leadership
Read a full transcript of this video.
A proud Ballardong Noongar man and father of five, Jamie speaks with quiet strength about the challenges he’s faced and the support that helped him rise.
“The NDIS supports me by giving me support workers,” he says.
“I got granted a phone. The phone talks back to me. It’s changed my life.”
With the help of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the guidance of APM Communities, Jamie began to rebuild his independence.
“I could walk from one side of town to the other with my cane now,” he says with a smile.
But it wasn’t just about mobility.
When Jamie first connected with Mykala from APM, she saw his passion for music and culture that was waiting to be shared.
“When Jamie first came into APM, I got to know him a little bit,” Mykala says.
“I understood that he had a major passion in music and his culture. So from that, I helped him establish his business.”
For six months, Jamie and Mykala met every Monday, slowly building the foundation of a dream.
“We made a plan, got my business going,” Jamie says.
“I’ve got a letter from one of the Elders in Northern to perform the Welcome to Country’s.”
Now, Jamie is a familiar face at community events, performing traditional acknowledgements and music that celebrate his Noongar heritage.
“Last year I done 34 gigs in one year. One every 10 days,” he says proudly.
His presence is more than performance, it’s a bridge between generations and cultures.
For Mykala, watching Jamie thrive has been deeply rewarding.
“He has basically—you can just see it—he’s lit up,” she says.
“With the NDIS support and APM support, it’s been able to develop Jamie’s confidence and abilities.
“So now his family can see that he can do it. They can do it. It’s just such a big change for them.”
Jamie’s message to others is simple but powerful: Dream big.
“NDIS is here to support you with support workers that will help you to achieve your goals and anything that you want to do,” he says.
“So just dream big and go for it.”
APM Communities connects people with disability, carers, and family members with NDIS support and other services in select regions of Western Australia, Queensland and Northern Territory.
For more information, visit apm.net.au/ndis.
