Infinitely better than I expected

After I left school I needed a job. My sister was already working in the disability sector and she gave me a job description of a Day Options Support Worker that sounded interesting.

It was the first job I was offered and I took it. At the time I was planning on only staying in the sector for a short period of time, until I had found “preferable work” elsewhere. After only 1 month at the Day Options centre I realised that I really enjoyed the work and that I had indeed found my preferred job. Over 3 years later I am still working in and enjoying the disability sector.

I support 5 individuals in their own home to live a productive and fulfilling life of their own choosing. The support provided is based on individual plans developed by the individuals involved with the assistance of myself and my colleagues. I have also worked in Day Options as a Support Worker assisting more with community access and skills development. Both in the home and at Day Options I worked with people with physical and intellectual disabilities as well as a scope of mental health issues.

The highlight of my career so far was taking 3 of the individuals I support to see Fleetwood Mac live in concert (and getting paid to do it!). It was an amazing evening and to see the guys enjoying themselves so much and singing along to the songs was very rewarding. I guess you could say I joined the sector out of necessity, but stayed because it turned out to be infinitely better than I had expected. I still get a thrill every time I see my guys displaying skills I taught them.