Mermaid on a Mission...

www.smh.com.au

Daniel Lane

April 29, 2012

Blonde's ambition for a caring cause

CRONULLA'S Tammy Pascoe is a cheerleader with a cause, she's determined to help better educate the public about autism and help find a new location for a school to cater for children with the condition in the Sutherland shire.

Pascoe juggles her duties with the Mermaids, one of Australia's highest profile cheerleading squads, and modelling assignments with her full-time job as an occupational therapist for Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect), which involves travelling around Sydney to help care for 132 students in the city's sprawling south-east.

While her job is demanding, Pascoe said she was inspired by the love and devotion the children's parents offer them. ''The patience shown by the parents is amazing because the children need constant support,'' she said.

Aspect, established in 1966, is the nation's largest not-for-profit organisation helping children who have an autism spectrum disorder. Its mission is to overcome the sense of isolation associated with the condition and the organisation also helps students to gain skills to make them as independent as possible.

In her role, Pascoe works as a member of the learning support team and addresses such important issues as motor skills, handwriting, play, sensory processing, challenging behaviour and daily living activities. She described her vocation as tough but rewarding.

Pascoe is also helping Aspect find a new premises in the shire because the lease for their facility in Kirrawee expires next year. The organisation must find a building that could host five or six classrooms, toilets, offices, a reception and at least two recreation areas.

Tammy leads the cheer while performing at Shark Park
image courtesy of the the Cronulla mermaids facebook page

The Mermaids shot their 2012 group photo at the beautiful Cronulla Beach
image courtesy of the the Cronulla mermaids facebook page

The 2012 Cronulla Sharks Mermaids
image courtesy of the the Cronulla mermaids facebook page

What a beautiful and inspirational story, heres hoping Aspect can find new premises for their wonderful cause very shortly. To learn more about the incredible services Aspect offers to help Australian children with Autism click here  

Get to know a little bit more about Tammy from her 2012 cronulla sharks profile

Name: Tammy

Nickname: Tim Tam

Age: 27

Years as a cheerleader: 9 years

Occupation/Studies: Paediatric Occupational Therapist – Consultant for Autism Spectrum Australia

Career goal: To raise awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders in the wider community and to continue to conduct research in order to make a significant contribution to the treatment and management of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Performance background: Choreography – Wollongong IMB Hawks (NBL) Cheer Squad, Robbie Williams Tribute Show and many corporate events for companies such as Ford and 3 Mobile.

Performed with such artists as – Shannon Noll, Cosima De Vito, Adam Brand, Arctic Monkeys, The Living End and at Big Day Out.

NRL Top Squad

NRL Xbox Squad

Dancer for events at David Beckham Academy, London.

Boxing matches such as the most recent Danny Green fight.

Sydney Kings (NBL) Cheerleader.

Podium dancer at various clubs

Bartercard Miss Indy National Finalist (winner Northies Hotel, Cronulla)

Qualified Zumba instructor

Favourite quote/saying: “To love is to risk not being loved in return. To hope is to risk pain. To try is to risk failure, but risk must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.”

Biggest fear: Losing the people the I love

Dream Job: Mine!

Best advice you’ve ever been given: “It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice” (my mum)

Greatest accomplishment: Living and traveling overseas while simultaneously achieving my career and performance goals.

What do you like about being a cheerleader: Having front row seats to watch the footy and performing with a nice group of girls. It’s also lovely to see the look on the children’s faces when they meet us, so to be a role model for them is very special.

What are your 3 most prized possessions: A box of letters and cards from family and friends, my university degree and numerous ornaments I have brought while traveling.