Proud storyteller Findlay has just completed a project that many people only dream of even starting – a book about his life.
The Bunbury local is a man who talks about himself with buoyant enthusiasm and his narrative is dotted with anecdotes reflective of his young-at-heart nature and love of comedy.
Findlay was part of group of people who recently participated in a seven-week workshop hosted by South-West organisation The Book Incubator.
The result of his interactive learning experience was a book celebrating family, friends, and a love of motorsport along with other important life moments.
Thanks to funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and support from APM Communities this important project was made possible.
APM Communities helps NDIS participants and people with disability to identify and access the support they need.
APM Local Area Coordinators (LACs) work directly with people with disability, carers and supporting family members.
Findlay lives with a condition known as Pituitary Dwarfism which affects his endocrine system. It is believed that the condition is related to his late father being exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
He lives with chronic pain, osteoporosis, Addison’s disease, hypothyroidism and mainly relies on a wheelchair for mobility.
Under the NDIS, Findlay has been able to access therapies, as well as assistive technology such as a specialised bed and a new wheelchair hoist.
Funding also helped his NDIS provider South-West Allied Therapies connect him with The Book Incubator.
He is full of praise for both the NDIS and the continued work Bunbury LAC Tracey does linking him with the scheme and ensuring his needs are fully covered.
“APM are just superb, the people down here in Bunbury are just superb, and have done the right thing by me,” Findlay said.
Findlay talks of his 'fantastic' experience at The Book Incubator workshop with raw emotion and of its founder, and creative therapist, Kate Heaslip, with utter admiration.
“Kate is very talented and I have said many times before that people make the difference. Whether it was me or somebody else in the group, she was able to get out of each of us, something really positive,” he said.
He described the experience as not just a creative journey but one that built self-esteem and confidence along the way for attendees. The most important aspect was that it was so much “fun”.
“Kate created an environment where people were comfortable and relaxed and where people could create what they wanted to create,” Findlay said.
“We’re all so different which is a great thing and for each of us what we were doing was equally important.”
Findlay also had a special thanks for the silent partners of the NDIS and the ones who make it happen for people just like him – Australian taxpayers.
“The Australian taxpayer should feel mighty proud for what they do for other people. We are a very generous country.”
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.