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Your Stories
Our participants come from many different backgrounds, but they all have in common an NDIS journey.
We share some of the stories with you, to encourage you to set new goals and make new discoveries in your own lives.
Jeff Rides Again
Jeff and his wife Isabella share their joy in Jeff being able to ride a bike again thanks to the support of the NDIS and Vinnies’ LAC.
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Connecting through language and culture
Farah, Sahar, Agnes & Chafica talk about the value of being able to connect to people who share their language and culture through Vinnies’ Community Access Networks.
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John’s Story
John, and his Aboriginal LAC Nat, talk about his NDIS journey and why its important to have choice in who supports you.
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Zach’s Story
Zach and his mum Jill share their NDIS story. Zach talks passionately about his culture and what it means to have an Aboriginal LAC support him.
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Building confidence and connection
Daniel (not his real name), a fifty year old participant with vision impairment, gained his first plan in 2018 with the assistance of his LAC.
During his first plan meeting, his love of music came to light, including his wealth of knowledge in pop music genres from the 70’s to more...
Read More “\Building confidence and connection”
Home and Away!
Bankstown Written by Lydia, LACWhen I met Carol for her First Plan, her goal was to visit Palm Beach and meet the Home and Away actors.
During plan implementation, I supported her to engage in services that would help her reach her goal, but she was put on a waiting list.
She came...
Read More “\Home and Away!”
Reconciliation Week in Charlestown
CharlestownOn Friday, 31 May 2019 the Vinnies Local Area Coordinator team in Charlestown came together to listen, share and connect in recognition of reconciliation week.
Our Aboriginal Local Area Coordinators Nathan Morgan, Marcus Weatherall and Sam Ruttley involved the entire staff of the office by getting them to bring in a...
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Choice and control
Inverell Written by Toni, LACRoslyn had been with her service provider for over three years. They provided her services, case management and made all the decisions for her.
Lately, things were not going so well with her support workers and Roslyn made several complaints that she felt were not being heard by...
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A new lease on life
Charlestown Written by Paula, LACMatthew is a 39 year old man with a diagnosis of Parkinson disease.
I met Matthew as my participant two years ago when the primary utilisation of his plan was around psychology support. Matthew presented as depressed and withdrawn, spending most of his time isolating himself at home....
Read More “\A new lease on life”
Breaking down barriers
NewcastleNoah (not his real name) is a Stroke survivor. He suffered lengthy bouts of depression, meaning funding from his last NDIS Plan was under-utilised.
When it was time for review, Noah voiced a strong desire to be a part of his community and to have therapy to strengthen muscles so he...
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From isolation to community
Sydney Written by Jared, LACNDIS participant Chris (not his real name) recently moved to Sydney from Newcastle to live with his mother after a rough divorce.
After the move, Chris was disconnected from the community and didn’t have any supports.
As he had moved districts, I was assigned to him as his new...
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Natasha’s story
SydneyNatasha is a 21 year-old woman living with an intellectual disability who lives with her mother Heidi. They have been working with LAC Annie from the Sydney District.
Natasha’s major goal was to secure paid work. Within only six months of her first plan, she was able to transition...
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Finding meaningful employment
CharlestownJoe (not his real name) is on the Autism Spectrum and in Year 12 at a local mainstream school in a supported class.
His goal was to gain mainstream employment at the end of the year. His family came from a Cantonese-speaking background and had previously struggled to implement supports due...
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Road to recovery
Muswellbrook Written by Tracey, wife of NDIS participant StephenStephen has hemiplegia and aphasia caused by a stroke, resulting in reduced mobility, speech loss and low confidence. Last year, through an individualised NDIS plan arranged with the help of LAC Janice Lawrence, Stephen had access to the support that he needed to...
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Hope in a crisis
Lake Macquarie Written by Ben Rees, LACRobbie (not his real name) has a psychosocial disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. His functional capacity for daily tasks is severely reduced as a result of past trauma. Both his parents have Type 2 Diabetes, his Mum...
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Trevor’s Story
NewcastleAfter recovering from a stroke, Trevor didn’t leave his home for six months. He had frequent falls in the house, and the only way he could get help then was to shout out to neighbours or passing strangers.
The Newcastle man was living in squalor. He had major...
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Growing independence
CampbelltownThe NDIS and a Vinnies LAC have transformed the life of one participant in the Campbelltown area:
“I am the carer for my 65 year old sister. Prior to the NDIS, my sister only went out in the community when I took her shopping or to doctor’s appointments. She had no...
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Deborah’s story
InverellDeborah received her first NDIS plan shortly after she moved to Tingha. Her husband/carer Stephen came into the Inverell LAC office to request help with understanding and utilising Deborah’s NDIS plan. They knew they had funding in the plan but they had no idea how to access the...
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Walking a new path
Kurri KurriVinnies LACs take a special interest in seeing NDIS participants achieve positive outcomes.
Josh is a young man in his early 20s living with intellectual disability in Kurri Kurri in the Hunter Valley.
His main goals were to:
Get support to attend regular exercise sessions Increase his social participation and meet new peopleWhen...
Read More “\Walking a new path”