How Natalie Overcame Health Challenges to Thrive in Childcare

In the regional town of Bairnsdale, Victoria, a quiet transformation is unfolding in a local childcare centre.

Among the laughter of children and the hum of daily activity, Natalie - a passionate, soft-spoken educator - is thriving in a role she once feared might never be possible.

“I think what I really love about the job is the kids,” Natalie says with a smile.

“They’re wonderful. I enjoy it so much.”

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Natalie’s path to employment has been anything but easy.

Living with epilepsy, asthma, and sickle-cell anaemia (a blood disorder that causes fatigue and can trigger seizures) she has faced both physical challenges and societal barriers.

“The sickle-cell anaemia makes me tired,” she explains. “Which can cause the other condition, my epilepsy, to flare up.”

Despite these hurdles, Natalie has always had a deep love for children and a dream of working in childcare.

“Natalie has always wanted to work with children,” her mother Gale shares.

“So she went to a TAFE in Grafton, and it was supposed to be a year’s course.

“It took her four years, and she achieved that as well,” Gale proudly adds.

Natalie sits with children in an afterschool class

A life-changing opportunity came when Natalie connected with APM Employment Services.

After years of knockbacks and hesitation from employers, APM helped Natalie build her confidence and prepare for interviews.

“The biggest challenge she faced was confidence,” says Kim, Natalie’s employment consultant.

Together they approached a new outside school-hours care provider, TheirCare, and the team were very interested.

“She was away,” Kim says. “She conducted the interview on the phone and she did really fantastic.”

Natalie was offered a casual educator role at a local service supported by APM and the TheirCare team who quickly saw her potential.

“She's very beneficial to our team because we can't run a service without educators,” Teresa from TheirCare says.

“Natalie loves art and craft, so we have her doing some clinics sometimes where she's actually teaching the children some skills with art, painting, those sorts of things, especially in holiday program when we can do project-based learning.”

“We teach them life skills, social skills, conflict resolution, and Natalie is a big part of that,” she adds.

Kim from APM at home with Natalie sat at a table

The impact of meaningful employment has been profound.

“She’s got more confidence in herself now,” Gale says.

“We debrief when she comes home, and we always have about half an hour conversation just to see what she’s done during the day.”

Natalie is no longer just a team member, she’s becoming a leader.

“Natalie is much more vocal now with what her ideas are, her philosophy of what she wants to bring to a service and what she can provide to the children as well,” Teresa adds.

“She’s becoming more engaged in the actual programming of the service and not just being someone who comes for their shift and then goes home.”

The support from APM hasn’t stopped at the job offer.

Natalie’s continued to get help with training in first aid, CPR, and even diabetes care, ensuring she’s equipped to support every child in her care.

“APM has probably helped me a lot more than any other service has ever done,” Natalie says.

Natalie’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support, belief, and opportunity, people can overcome the most daunting challenges.

She’s not just working - she’s inspiring.

About Disability Employment Services

If you have a disability, injury or health condition, we know that doesn’t define you.

If you’re eligible for Disability Employment Services (DES), speak to APM Employment Services for help finding meaningful and fulfilling employment, and to get you to where you want to be.

Your support is unique to you, your goals, and the type of work you’re interested in. It may include: