Above: 2013 Disability Sport & Recreation Festival

Every December, in the heart of the city, a community festival works its magic on people’s lives… including mine.

In early December 2012, I was in the city to watch my friends perform Acrobatic Gymnastics on the Federation Square stage. I had no idea it was the same day as the Disability Sport & Recreation (DSR) Festival. After my friends had finished, I had a look around the festival and really soaked up what it was about and what it represented.

As a film and documentary maker, I was following the online viral charity video campaign “Project 4 Awesome”, and was inspired to make my own.

I filmed a video about Disability Sport & Recreation and all that they do, including the festival.

This went global, receiving thousands of views and hundreds of comments. I got some awesome feedback on my work and my personal audience grew, but my video also put the charity Disability Sport & Recreation in to the limelight.

Shortly afterwards, Disability Sport & Recreation, contacted me in the hope of using my video skills.

I took up the opportunity and filmed several events during the year, as well as the 2013 DSR Festival, at the end of the year. This has lead me to where I am now, where I am making a set of promotional videos for DSR, to help launch future products and services. This is a huge opportunity for me, and something that I am so grateful for.

I didn’t know it at the time, but stumbling upon the DSR festival in 2012 was a turning point in my life.

Through filming the festival and working with DSR, I’ve learned more about my profession and developed my craft. I’ve seen how this festival helps thousands of people of all abilities and from all works of life discover what they’re capable of and given them hope so they can realise their dreams.

The Disability Sport & Recreation Festival is on 3 December every year, to mark International Day of People with Disability. To learn more about the Disability Sport & Recreation Festival , visit www.dsrf.org.au

Watch Isaac’s video of how he discovered the festival and why he loves it.