Karen Caldwell

Karen is a partner in a micro-business, StretchAbility, and runs classes teaching adults how to stretch safely and efficiently. She is also a volunteer boat race official assisting Rowing ACT in the smooth running of regattas and wintertime trials. Karen enjoys walking up and down hills and reading.

Karen lives with her partner in life, Markus, and they have two adult sons, Aidan and Cameron. She coordinated Cameron’s home education (ABA) Program for ten years and has been the self-manager of Cameron’s NDIS Plan since 2015.

In February 2022, Cameron’s Circle of Support was incorporated to become his Microboard, Cameron’s Colour Crew. Along with family and friends, Karen is one member of “Cameron’s Crew”. They walk alongside Cameron to help him achieve his goals, strengthen his relationships with the community, and safeguard his good life.

Crafting and safeguarding a meaningful week for Cameron

Post-school life can be an intimidating prospect for young adults with disability and their families. Over the past five years, Cameron and his team have slowly developed a week that provides him with purpose and meaning.

Like any other young adult, Cameron wants a job, friends who share his interests, and to move out of the family home.

Cameron will introduce himself and explain what his week and life look like now. His parents, Karen and Markus, will talk about what makes an activity or routine meaningful to Cameron, how a “meaningful week” is crafted, and what steps they are taking to safeguard it for him.

Many typical and important relationships in our lives are unpaid, and they bring stability, fun, joy, and well-being into our lives.

Cameron’s Microboard is helping him identify and achieve his goals while strengthening his relationship within his community. We will discuss what a Microboard is, how it differs from a Circles of Support, and how Cameron’s Colour Crew is safeguarding a meaningful week for Cameron.

About this session

• Cameron, Karen, and Markus will be speaking at 4:00 pm on Friday, 24 May
• The conference runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm AEST on Thursday-Friday, 23-24 May 2024

Register to attend the conference and/or the pre-conference webinars

Learn about the other conference speakers and their presentations

Pre-conference webinars

• Webinar 1 – Decision-making in everyday life – Janet Klees
• Webinar 2 – Medical safeguarding – Jo Massarelli and Cathy Ludlum
• Webinar 3 – Now is the time for vision – Darcy Elks

Main conference

• Welcome to Country – Warren Daley
• Never too late to get a life – Cathy McMahon and Josey McMahon
• The secrets of fabulous skin self-direction – Margaret Ward
• What happens when I cark it? – Linda Hughes
• Planning ahead: Safeguarding decision-making – Helen Connolly
• The importance of trust and relationship in supported decision-making – Kim Roots
• Dream big! – Laura Esplin and Bernadette Esplin
• Building bridges to neighbourhood – Sarah Faulkner
• Safeguarding a Micro Enterprise for the future – Helen Neale
• Finding and safeguarding a job – Jan Kruger
• What’s the plan? Estate planning consideration for parents and carers – Stacey Bell
• Passing on the “How”: A sibling’s journey – Rebecca Altaffer
• It’s a long game: Planning for a great future for Valen in a constantly changing world – Ann Greer, Valen Litster, and Sally Aubrey
• How to set your Executor up for success – Stacey Bell
• Safeguarding the future: A sibling’s perspective – Libby Ellis
• Dispelling myths about the Disability Support Pension, Rent Assistance, and employment income – Paul Kruger
• Your money, your future – Carolina Albornoz
• Helping relationships flourish – Tim Bavinton
• Who is the person behind the behaviour, and what do they need? – Kane Morgan
• Safeguarding Isaac’s good life through a Service for One – Sheree Henley
• Emma Davidson MLA
• Planning future finances – Chris Oates
• Crafting and safeguarding a meaningful week for Cameron – Karen Caldwell, Cameron Zellner, and Markus Zellner

About the Safeguarding the Future conference

• Thursday-Friday, 23-24 May 2024
• 9:00 am – 5:00 pm both days
• Hotel Realm in Canberra
• Optional networking event on Thursday evening
• Three pre-conference webinars included in the main conference ticket
• Pre-conference webinar-only tickets are also available if you can’t attend the main event
• Flexible pricing is available for people with disability and their families from $0.00 to $225.00
• People with disability, their families, friends, and allies, support workers, education professionals, health professionals, and everyone interested in safeguarding the future of people with disability are welcome to attend.
• Registrations close at 5:00 pm AEST on Thursday, 16 May

Register to attend the conference and/or the pre-conference webinars