Maelly Bellm

Maelly Bellm

About me/Interests:

I’m loud, smiley and carefree. Also very gullible and a sucker for cuddles. Nothing embarrasses me. I’m a weird French person and therefore I speak French. I love going to musicals and the theatre, am a fan of Buffy and Grey’s Anatomy, love dancing and singing badly ! in the shower, enjoy shopping and hanging out with friends

How did you find out about Interchange?

From the newspaper in 2004. I had the wrong visa and couldn’t work or go to school for six months, so I started volunteering in a local op shop and with Interchange Outer East.

How has volunteering affected your attitude to life?

Volunteering and working with Interchange has taught me not to see the disability anymore, just the person. I’ve learned how to have much more fun, to be an idiot in public and not care one bit and … strangely for someone from my background – to like vegemite! And poo is now just a funny story.

What do you like about being an Interchange volunteer?

I get to try the weirdest food combinations – pancakes with vegemite and maple syrup yum!I and get to play in playgrounds made for kids. I meet the most incredible people: participants, families, vollies and staff. I now know ALL the Wiggles’ songs.

Memorable camp?:

My first camp – I got the kids to count the mozzie bites on my back -44. Obviously they loved my non Aussie skin.

Future Aspirations:

To become the best midwife the world has ever seen. I would like to use my experience with IOE to show parents, especially when children are born with disabilities, that disability is nt the end of the world and that their child can still achieve amazing things.

Final words:

Volunteering is an amazing , fun learning experience. It’s a great way to meet different types of people and to do things you would never do outside of Interchange.

Once you join Interchange you can never leave.