Jodie Turner is 40, not the least guarded about her 'touch of cerebral palsy” and has never held down a full-time job.

A slight speech impairment is a tell-tale sign but not an obstacle.

One-of-a kind president of People First Jodie Turner. Photo: Zoe Hunter.

She's still on three government advisory panels, mentors more than 20 young needy Tauranga people and MCs national seminars and conferences.

Jodie is also the three-term president of People First New Zealand Incorporated – because she's good at it.

And she agrees to be photographed for SunLive, but only after an all-day meeting in Rotorua and before she flies to Christchurch on business the following day.

And this for someone who doesn't hold a job. The indefatigable Jodie is an impressive advocate for those she serves.

Those are people with learning difficulties – not learning as in the ABC or maths or spelling – but learning as in financial management, caring for yourself and the other curve balls life can throw at a person with a disability.

'For example, I have a friend in a wheelchair who is having money problems, and that could become a burden for all of us if we don't manage it,” she says.

'We aim to support people with a learning disability to be strong and valued individuals in New Zealand.

'And there are a lot of other people out there in Tauranga who could benefit and be empowered by a call to People First.”

And she's delightfully forthright. When SunLive asks to talk to her friend with the financial learning disability she replies: 'You can talk to me. I'm one of them. I'm only here because I had a learning disability too”.

She almost wears that disability with pride, except of course she's just identifying with those she works with and for.

On the job front, 'I still aim to have a full-time job one day.”

Doesn't her full-time presidency of People First constitute a full-time job? 'Well not as other people would know it,” says Jodie.

Although it demands, and she responds with her full-time attention.

And there again, Jodie is a wonderful advertisement for her cause.

If you want to get in touch with People First in Tauranga, call Nikki on: 027 512 1226.