Mark Turley, CEO, Living My Way
Milena’s leadership and passion for Living My Way started over three decades ago. Born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, she was one of our founding Members and also the Chair of the Living My Way Board.
Milena was also one of the lucky few to receive a Self-Managed Home Care Package as part of a original pilot program. An accomplished public speaker, author, business owner, and financial management expert, she was driven and passionate about people with disability.
“I’ve achieved what most people would regard as success. I’m married, we own our own home, we’re not in debt. That’s what most people strive for: But I didn’t have to walk to do it.”
“Growing up in the country, I didn’t really know other people with disability. In my 20s, I reached out to find other people, and one person I met was Milena. It was helpful to be able to share frustrations or challenges or the things that we wanted to change... with someone who understood.”
Milena was a strong advocate who believed in living a purposeful, fulfilling and inclusive life and was committed to raising awareness around disability to dispel misconceptions and break down invisible barriers. Her combined thirty years of experience in the disability sector brought so much value to our community. Milena leaves behind a legacy of her dedication and work.
"Milena was a big part of why I joined Living My Way as CEO in 2021. I met her going through the interview process and she was just this massive drawcard. She had a beautiful emotional intelligence, a real humbleness, and this wealth of experience in terms of living with a disability. She didn’t pontificate - it just came through in her conversations. Milena was a force. She had guided Living My Way through many decisions to get it where it was, including the difficult changes that all organisations faced with the introduction of the NDIS. In all things, she left people feeling valued and worthy. I was looking forward to learning from Milena and navigating the next season with her. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be."
Milena’s memoir, Sipping Champagne Through a Straw tells the story of a woman who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Milena passed away suddenly in 2021. We miss her.
