Charlie has used Mable for 12 months. They share their story of finding the right independent support worker for them, and how using Mable has helped them achieve their dream of becoming a skater.
Mable has given me the choice and control of finding my own supports to help me to achieve my dreams and goals, as well as helping me find social connection in my life.
This was the first time I used Mable without the help of my support coordinator, or any of my supports. For the most part I actually found it quite easy. I started by posting the job. I shared that I was looking for someone sporty to provide social support, companionship, and help with getting to and from appointments.
My main criteria for a support worker was someone who was interested in learning, or even better, someone with experience in skateboarding. This was very important to me, as I was looking for a buddy to skate with because I don’t like to go out on my own.
There were a few applicants who had the experience I was after, so I had meet and greets with them. They were all lovely and in the end, I chose Melanie who is around my age, isn’t afraid of a challenge and who has experience in skateboarding.
At this point in time, we’ve had one skate session and I’m so stoked with my progress. I could have never progressed so much in my skateboarding without a support worker who’s willing and able to go on this journey with me. The feeling of cruising for the first time was exhilarating and addictive – I was so happy after that support session, and rolled away with such a sense of achievement and accomplishment.
One of the really cool things about Melanie is that we’re into similar genres of music, which is another one of my passions.
When looking for a support worker, my advice would be to not be afraid to ask for what you need and what. Whether it’s trying to find someone who shares your passions, someone to help with transport, social support or personal care, your needs are the most important thing in this process.
In the past I have trialled a couple of different support workers which ended up not being the right fit for me. I’m conscious of other people’s feelings, and was nervous to tell them that they weren’t the right fit, but they were both very professional, and were proud of me for putting my needs first and advocating for myself. This showed me an inner strength I didn’t know I had.
Through the support I’ve found on Mable, I’ve started to realise that I can do the things I want to do and achieve what I thought I never would.
As for my skateboarding, I’m improving all the time and learning from my mistakes and progressing as a result.
With the help of my independent support workers, I feel safe to go into the community and engage in activities with the comfort of knowing that I’m supported. When I’m not feeling so great, seeing my support workers helps me feel less isolated, and for the rest of the day I’m happier and able to cope better with what the day throws at me.
Whether we have physical, neurological, intellectual or psychosocial disability, we all deserve the same opportunities in life and the choices to live the way we want – and that’s what Mable does for me.
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