"With the help of my Support Coordinator, I’ve gained wings to fly!"
Image: Ammon stands on the side of a truck, smiling and waving. Text: Ammon pursues his goals with Support Coordination services.
Ammon lives on Wongi Country in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, with his parents, Areta and Dean. He is a strategic thinker with a passion for board games and has a creative side that he expresses through painting. Beyond games and art, Ammon is a willing helper who enjoys assisting his parents with household chores like washing, tidying, and cleaning – even lending a hand cleaning trucks during weekends spent with his dad at the gold mines.
Image: Ammon, wearing a white t-shirt, gives a thumbs up and smiles at the camera.
Ammon has complex support needs and his parents are his primary supporters, assisting with his daily care and needs. Areta and Dean were finding that managing Ammon's complex needs was becoming increasingly challenging for them. They recognised that it was time to bring in additional support to prevent burnout and ensure Ammon had the tools he needed to thrive.
Ammon and his parents were referred to Life Without Barriers' Support Coordination services, where they were introduced to Aarzoo, Support Coordinator. Together, with Ammon's voice at the forefront, they collaborated to identify goals tailored to his needs.
Throughout this process, Ammon was empowered to make an informed decision about the providers he wanted to work with. He was given a list of therapeutic providers that aligned with his goals, allowing him to choose the best fit for his needs.
One of Ammon's key goals was to build his independent living skills, particularly in managing daily tasks. Working alongside his Occupational Therapist, he practiced cooking and gradually learned to cook independently for himself.
"I’m learning to cook one small step at a time. It’s exciting to see how I’m getting better each day," said Ammon.
One of the challenges Ammon faced was understanding social cues, so he began working with a Speech Therapist to help him achieve his goals of building and maintaining meaningful friendships and engaging socially in his community.
Together, they focused on expressing needs verbally and how to communicate effectively in different settings. Ammon also practiced essential problem-solving skills, such as basic navigation and calling emergency services.
With this support, Ammon developed the confidence to connect with new people and socialise beyond his family circle.
"The progress Ammon has made in communicating and building friendships has been incredible. It’s opened up new opportunities for him," shared Areta.
Image: Ammon climbing into a tow truck.
Throughout his journey, Ammon's support team has been there every step of the way, celebrating his wins and providing assistance during the challenging moments.
"We have such a great rapport. We laugh and enjoy the good with the sad," said Aarzoo.
"During the sad moments the whole team has been great at achieving a positive outcome, pulling resources together to bring back Ammon back to his happy place once again."
This newfound access to tailored support has opened doors for Ammon, allowing him to thrive in ways he once thought were unattainable.
"With the help of my Support Coordinator, I’ve gained wings to fly!" said Ammon.
What is Support Coordination?
Through the NDIS, you can choose your supports and which providers you work with. While it’s a good thing, it can be challenging – that’s where support coordination comes in.
A Support Coordinator can help you activate your NDIS plan and access your supports. They’ll connect you with people and services in your community and help you understand your options.
