Rod follows a pathway shaped by vulnerable people. Working together with his wife, advocating for and supporting other families with children like their first born, now adult daughter, with Down syndrome. Following his teacher training, and after her birth, he re-trained as a social worker. Recruited to work in the institution for people with intellectual disabilities, within a year he led the multi-disciplinary professional team supporting residents as they moved out to the community. Their eldest daughter was educated locally, supported by partnership with local schools, alongside their advocacy for the reform of education of disabled learners. Subsequently Rod was recruited to a small team developing national training for disability support staff in community services and schools. Following changes in teacher education Rod became a senior lecturer in Disability Studies at the University of Auckland. Alongside 30 years of professional employment he remains involved in the voluntary disability sector. The last 15 years focusing on community arts. Woven through this pathway he works as a researcher; with publication in international texts, journals, and policy reviews. His PhD explored the training of future GPs by Otago and Auckland universities and their understanding of cognitive dependency, parental caregiving and medical practice. His work and voluntary roles follow the lifepath of his eldest daughter, and her peers, whose morbidity and mortality differs from other populations, with a significantly shorter lifespan. Rod’s employment over the last four years had focused on ageing and vulnerable adult populations. At the same time, he linked to Honohono Tātou Katoa as a volunteer; leading two Death Cafés and joining provider networks established by local Community Boards. He left paid employment in 2025 to enable deeper professional development, and practice, in developing Compassionate Communities. Rod’s work in Creating Compassionate Communities reflects a deep response supporting family and community members regarded as a burden of care and devalued by their communities. Simply, Compassionate Communities start among and with neighbours, and social circles bringing caring communication and support for each other. Fifty-years as a resident of West Auckland, mostly living in the Waitakere Ranges has deepened an appreciation of the natural environment. However, commuting and practicality had led to a shift into the suburbs, with the pleasure of having extended family and the joy of grandchildren living next door. Rod routinely cooks the evening meals, enjoys a wide range of music, exhibits his photography and appreciates mid-century architecture and design.