Mentorship means “getting along like a house on fire”

For disability support worker, Michael* and his client, Phoenix*, their introduction through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was confusing at first, but kicked off a great bond and life-changing progress.

Phoenix* is diagnosed with high-functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and received assistance from their sister to get support from the NDIS.

“I think — at the beginning — if people can have some some assistance in navigating it [NDIS], it’s definitely beneficial,” says Phoenix*.

“I’ve talked to some other people on the NDIS and they have said that it was an easy application for them, but then others were saying that they needed a full team of, like, doctors and other people to help them get on that.”

Phoenix* says that they both hit it off right away and that the support provided by Michael* has allowed them to live independently and make tremendous strides.

“As a disability support worker, It’s my job to help Phoenix* meet any goals that they have,” says Michael*.

”Those goals change over time, you know? One of them was becoming independent and moving into their own place… This year, we’re at Phoenix’s* place, which they rent now, but when we met, they were living with their family.

“I think, in the early days, Phoenix* was working full-time and there was a lot of just debriefing. Yeah, just being someone to talk to, to get some dinner with.

“Now, things have shifted more towards supporting them, in the environment they’re living in,” Michael* says.

Since the two first met, Michael* has learnt as much from supporting Phoenix* with tasks like budgeting, learning to drive, learning to cook and learning how to tackle life’s challenges, as Phoenix* has from Mike*.

“I remember when I first took Phoenix* out for driving lessons. We had access to an automatic car to learn in, but Phoenix* was lacking confidence — they were afraid of failing,” says Michael*.

“I knew very well that Phoenix* was capable of doing this, so I got the appropriate paperwork together and put Phoenix* behind the wheel of my manual sports car.

“This thing was not easy to drive. I told Phoenix* that nobody would blame them for failing to drive this car, so they have nothing to lose by trying.

“Within ten minutes, Phoenix* was driving around the industrial estate, changing gears and getting a feel for the clutch on slight hills. It wasn’t about ability, it was about confidence.

“Often those on the Autism Spectrum lack confidence because we try to make them fit into such narrowly defined societal standards,” Michael* says.

Michael* told Talking Disability that the mutually beneficial support worker – client basis has empowered Phoenix* to face the unexpected in life and feel confident enough to give it a go.

“I am currently looking for steady full-time work,” says Phoenix*.

“I have worked full-time for most of the time I have been partnered with Michael*, however, due to a change in circumstances, I have found myself out of work for the first time in three years.

“This is my challenge at the moment, but I am confident!”

If you’re interested in accessing NDIS support to further your own personal and professional development like Phoenix*, please feel free to check out the Disability Support Guide NDIS informative guide.

* Names have been omitted to respect the privacy of interview participants.