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journey. Everything we do, when we communicate about people. It’s an honor and a privilege to be on this journey Coffee brings people together, of any background and ability, so why not be inclusive and diverse in that process?
coffee, is that this is a delicious coffee that many people with them. I hold them so close to my heart. I’m just Robbie dreams that there will be an impactful and sustainable future for the disabled community in not just the
coffee sector, but all supply value chains, and all industries.
like. We’ve had great feedback. We have a cupping score of surrounded by people who I’m so fortunate that love and
84-86. Ensuring that we have a good quality coffee because adore me and want to see this succeed.”
too often disabled people are associated with I guess a hall Working in academia entails immersion in philoso-
pass or a hospital pass. ‘Oh, it’s ok, they’re disabled so it’s phy, discourse, ideology and shifting attitudes. But TLF
not going to be as good.’ I hate that. I would much rather keeps Robbie grounded and connected to the greater road
buy our product because it has great taste and it happens to beyond. “I didn’t set out to be a social entrepreneur nor
have an amazing backstory. That’s what the focus is. Do not did I set out to run an inclusive coffee business that spans
compromise on the quality of the product. Disabled people countries. That was never my goal, it’s just what it evolved
are good at what we do. We can be the best at what we do. to and I love it.”
We can be leaders and can produce delicious-tasting coffee. There is that saying that Robbie lives by. That our
Just because we are disabled does not mean there will be well-being is dependent on the well-being of others. “We
less quality. There is a space for us, and we have an addi- must keep going, we must not stop. My dream would be
tional benefit in what we’re doing in that it provides train- to do myself out of the job. I know that I can rest when
ing and employment opportunities for disabled people all disabled people have their human rights met in a full
across the world.” and meaningful way.” The amazing thing about coffee is
Believe it or not, The Lucy Foundation is actually that it is enjoyed all over the world, in all sorts of fashions.
Robbie’s side hustle. And when she’s not working on that, It can be enjoyed by anyone. It is about connecting people
she’s raising her toddler. A typical day for Robbie starts and their stories. Coffee brings people together, of any
at five in the morning. “I try to get up before the baby gets background and ability, so why not be inclusive and di-
up because once he’s up it’s full on! A 5 am start means I verse in that process? Robbie dreams that there will be an
can get a couple hours of focus time. This is when I do impactful and sustainable future for the disabled commu-
stuff for TLF, and I catch up on everything else that needs nity in not just the coffee sector, but all supply value
to be done.” chains, and all industries.
Work at the Donald Beasley Institution officially starts “If we’re not seeing diverse people come through
once Robbie’s kid is dropped off at Kohanga Reo, an early these spaces then it’s not because they’re not there. If you
childhood education center where all education and instruc- make it inclusive, the disability community will come. We
tion is delivered in te reo maori (Maori language). “I have have, honestly, such a strong sense of loyalty. If something
an incredibly supportive boss. It’s all about family and is inclusive and accessible we will tell all of our friends and
putting family and health first. I work from home. The in- we will keep coming back again and again. And that is a
stitute is actually in Dunedin and I live in Auckland. I put reflection of how few spaces there are for us where we can
as much as I can into that shortened day and I work hard be our true selves. And I really think the coffee industry
and fast. I’m good at what I do and I get the job done. Then could be an example of this practice. I have such high hopes.
I go to pick my kid up from Kohanga and have a few hours We’re here to help you learn about drinking better coffee,
with him until he goes to bed. From there, I go back to work.” and how to know where your products come from. And
“All of this is quite heavy. When you’re talking about hopefully, encourage you in your space to do the same.”
human rights it can weigh on you, also when you are
disabled, I can’t leave it at the door. I still have to go home
and deal with my own pain and discomfort and my own
exhaustion. So to unwind I watch cheesy TV. I watch TV
shows that are so far removed from anything I study or
work in, and that just breaks my thought pattern and helps
me reset. It helps me get to sleep because I’m not thinking There is that saying
about these quite heavy subjects or worrying about how
I’m going to keep everything together for the next week. that Robbie lives by.
I don’t really have a social life. I find great pride and ca-
maraderie with the people I work with. I work with a lot That our well-being is
of disabled people. I work with a lot of non-disabled dependent on the
people. And I love them. When you have a shared vision
and a shared goal on human rights, you don’t need to well-being of others.
separate work from social life. They are my life, these

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