Since 2019, Bunbury local, Findlay, has emerged as the confident protagonist of his own story both creatively and when it comes to his NDIS plan.
According to him, the impact of his NDIS funding has “given him a life to be happy about.”
And his best work is yet to come. He has built great relationships with his Local Area Coordinators (LACs) Tracey and Lindsey, who have helped him by being organised and approachable.
Findlay lives with multiple disabilities which affect his movement, hormonal levels, and neurological health.
Prior to reaching out to APM and the NDIS, he had limited independence and was not able to best access his local community. He also experienced injuries because of falls from his bed during the night.
APM assisted Findlay with car modifications, obtaining a hoist, and obtaining his wheelchair through the process for Assistive Technology and assisting Findlay to connect with service providers.
Today, Findlay can use this technology to get to his family’s car without any assistance when he needs to get to an appointment.
His LAC, Lindsey, shares her experience of working with Findlay, and hearing about his travels.
“Findlay is a friendly and outgoing person. He has rich experiences like being able to go on a police ride-along in Newport News, Virginia”, she said.
He has become a recognisable and active member in his local community. Findlay is active in local politics, he enjoys discussions of geo-politics, and is the president of a local branch.
Working with his LACs, he has had assistance accessing resources, requesting reviews, and understanding the NDIS.
Furthermore, they have supported him with changing to and feeling confident with self-managing a portion of his funds.
Some of the therapies he utilises through his plan are creative writing therapy, psychology and physiotherapy.
While maintaining his health through therapies is a high priority for Findlay, he is keen to continue to his creative pursuits in the world of writing.
He has published two books and is working towards publishing a children’s book. Findlay describes the process of writing as therapeutic.
He is passionate about disabilities and wants to help children be able to comfortably talk with people with disability and feel at ease around them. Findlay would love for kids to be able to see the person and not the disability.
His LAC Lindsey shares the positive changes she has seen in him.
“Findlay is an amazing person with an incredibly rich life. He has travelled across Australia and around the world and is an active member of his various communities”, she said.
“He is an incredibly positive person who has gratitude for so much in his life.”
As his mobility in his shoulders declines, he is working towards securing a mobility scooter.
When asked about his goals, Findlay simply replies that he prefers to live in the present. This is characteristic of Findlay’s joyful and mindful attitude towards life.
Findlay recently shared with Lindsey the positive impact his NDIS plan has had on his life, reporting that “he can tell his doctor that he is a happy person.”
As part of the NDIS Partners in the Community program, APM Communities help people with disability in several regions in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory to access support.
Our Local Area Coordinators (LACs) help people with disability, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, families and carers to identify and access the support they need.