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14 | THE REVIEW MARCH 2025 Teaching and sharing about life with CP For Stephen Bird, the key to success has been finding the balance between health, life and work. By MELANIE LOUDEN Stephen Bird has learnt to love his disability. The Hamilton man sees it as an opportunity – one he has proudly taken into his workplace and beyond. Stephen is a qualified registered Early Childhood Education (ECE) teacher – a career that he fell into by accident and quickly fell in love with. The 38-year-old, who lives with Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi which affects his speech and his right hand, had a Certificate in Travel and a Diploma in International Tourism under his belt. But when it came time to look for work, Stephen couldn’t find a job. He believes his speech impediment played a part in that. “Nine times out of 10 everyone wanted a phone interview first. And I feel that when people meet me via the phone, nine times out to 10 I wouldn’t get that face-to-face interview.” While he was job hunting, he was offered some hours as an unqualified ECE relief teacher. He enjoyed it so much that his focus quickly changed from tourism to education. “I love the kids. I love watching them succeed and empowering themselves to learn new things - that ‘ah-ha’ moment.” Six months later, Stephen returned to university and started studying for a Bachelor of Teaching Early Childhood Education.