EVERY-DAY conversation is a struggle for Grace McIntyre – but singing in front of hundreds of people is not a worry.

A serious stutter and autism are challenges the 22-year-old deals with daily.

Talking to her requires patience, but hearing her sing, flawlessly, you question whether she has a speech impediment.

As she explains, stuttering affects a different part of the brain from the area required for singing, enabling her to sing unhindered.

Grace, who lives in Berhampore, has been singing opera since the age of three and has been involved in stage performances for several years.

“It’s cool fun. I really enjoy it.”

She recently sang in the chorus of the latest Wellington Gilbert and Sullivan Society production Yeomen of the Guard.

However, with the trials of daily communication, Grace struggled to find work since completing a creative arts and therapies course at the Wellington Performing Arts Centre in 2007.

She is currently employed part-time by Rob and Mandie Fordyce, owners of 4Dice. The company employees people with disabilities to service Eftpos terminals and won the Attitude ACC Employer Award earlier this year.

Emerge Supported Employment Trust helped Grace find her job and supports her while working.

The not for profit organisation, which is celebrating its 10 year anniversary this month, assists people with disabilities to find employment.

Ideally, Grace would love to sing more, but says the industry is dominated by university students.

Grace also works cleaning and volunteers at the Wellington Zoo between singing practice.