After scaling many hurdles, Theo is embracing choice and control to improve his mental health and quality of life.

A Yuwibara man, Theo has been following his Indigenous roots in the Mackay region to better understand his family history.

Theo has cerebral palsy and was offered the choice of attending special school or mainstream schooling - and the decision had lasting implications.

"Because of having so-called normal schooling, my horizons have always been broad. I have always thought I can do that," he said.

"My engagement with other kids, and I mean able-bodied ones, was always good because they were curious, and I never took their curiosity the wrong way. I've always liked using that to my advantage, which I still do to this day.

"So, growing up, as much as I had challenges, everything was just normal to me. I didn't know any different."

Theo faced some bullying and difficulties in his younger school years and missed the last three years of primary school before returning to high school, but he kept his links with his friends and also spent time connecting with nature.

"I'd just wait for my friends to get out of school and we'd go and do stuff that kids do. Look for yabbies in the creek and go swimming," Theo said.

"Like there were places that I probably never should have taken my wheelchair and my walking stick, but I did all that stuff.

"Just because I couldn't walk, I still managed to get up and swing into the creek and do bomb diving and all that, with the help of other kids."

Theo left home at 16 years, after losing his stepfather and experiencing a deterioration of his relationship with his mother. He began staying with friends and occasionally slept on the streets.

"I ended up with no stuff, no wheelchair, no stick, nothing. It's just basic needs where I can have a wash and find a toilet," he said.

"Looking back, I don't know how I did it, but you find things in the community like the youth centre was obviously a big help. They make sure that you are fed and washed, clothed, I got hand me down clothes from friends."

After almost five years of staying at his friend's house and at a high risk of homelessness, Theo was able to secure his own place marking a turning point to get his life back on track.

"I had interests, I really liked music. In my Year 12 yearbook I wanted to be a DJ. That was my thing that I aspired to be," he said.

He signed up with a local job network that helped secure a traineeship with Indigenous radio station MY105.9FM based out of Mackay. This eventually led him to hosting a drive time program, allowing Theo to achieve his teenage dream of becoming a DJ.

Theo eventually stepped away from radio and headed to Brisbane where he completed a Diploma of Management with the focus of improving his production management, time management and professional skillset.

When Theo first tried to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) he struggled, with the first five attempts unsuccessful, something he puts down to his primary healthcare provider not properly understanding the new system or the evidence form required to support his application.

Once Theo moved to Ipswich and had correspondence from Carers Queensland Ipswich Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community program, this led to him getting access to the NDIS.

Theo's NDIS plan funds a support worker, occupational therapist and physiotherapist.

Small modifications were made also to Theo's bathroom to make it more accessible, and a gardener helps maintain his garden.

"Looking at it now, compared to (prior to the NDIS), I have a fully accessible shower with a shower chair, and bathroom rails. I can see how much of a difference that makes on my quality of life," Theo said.

Having access to a support worker to take Theo out and about in the community as well as a physiotherapist has played a big part in improving his mental health.

"I have then since learned the only limitations I have are the ones I set in my mind," he said.

"A lot of my work is mental, that's what my physio is focusing on now is actually 'you do have the strength to do this' you just need to push yourself along a little bit.

"My overall strength has also really improved. And that in turn has really improved my quality of life."

Having now settled in Ipswich with his wife and young child, Theo's focus is on his family and self-discovery.

He acknowledged at present he is not only the most comfortable he has ever been but he is also in the most stable part of his life so far.

"We are meant to be in this house for at least six years because my daughters school is walking distance from here," Theo said.

"Even as a child, I have never lived in one house for six years before. I never really thought about it like that."

Theo is embracing all opportunities and with guidance and support from his Carers Queensland First Nations local area coordinator Deon, recently accepted the position of Ipswich Carers Queensland Reconciliation Action Plan chairperson.

"Having a strong voice at the table with our executive board, with our CEO and other representatives across the other regions, we need to make sure we have that voice there for what we want to do and our business in Ipswich in the First Nations space with our RAP," Deon said.

"Theo is a perfect fit."