"I think it’s important to make my own decisions about my relationships."
Image: Daniel wearing a blue shirt stands outdoors, smiling.
Daniel, 30, has a wide circle of friends and enjoys a vibrant social life, including regular activities such as disco nights, weekly bowling games, and regular dinner catchups with his friendship group. He also works part-time as a landscape labourer. For several years, Daniel has chosen to receive support from Life Without Barriers.
Image: Daniel wearing a blue t-shirt, standing outdoors and smiling at the camera.
Through his social activities, Daniel has formed some close connections, and he takes pride in managing his relationships independently.
"I think it’s important to make my own decisions about my relationships," Daniel explains.
"I don’t need help with that. I go where I want, do what I want."
Daniel’s Support Worker, Marco, plays an important role in his life, providing a sounding board for his thoughts and feelings. Daniel said the conversations help him think through his relationships.
For Marco, these conversations are an important way to support Daniel’s feelings and ideas.
"It’s important to speak up if something doesn’t feel right," Marco advises.
"Even if it risks offending someone, advocating for yourself is key."
Image: Daniel celebrating his birthday, sitting at a table wih a cake in front of him.
As he navigates his romantic life, Daniel is learning the importance of communication and transparency. With two important friendships, he has found himself balancing feelings and expectations. His support workers emphasise the value of honesty in relationships, reminding him that everyone deserves to know the truth.
"If you’re in a relationship, you need to be open and honest with your partners," Marco said.
Daniel recognises that relationships are not just about him, but also about the other people in the relationship.
"It’s a big learning curve," he admitted. "But I want to make sure everyone is on the same page."
Marco understands his role is to provide guidance while allowing Daniel the space to grow.
"It’s important to help him understand the significance of relationships, not just for him but for his partners as well. We’re here to support him in whichever way possible, but ultimately, he has to lead."
Although it is not a Support Worker's role to provide formal advice on relationships, with their encouragement and support, Daniel is embracing the nuances of love and friendship. He is learning to appreciate the delicate balance of emotions, realising that his independence doesn’t mean going it alone, knowing that instead, he has a net supporting him.
At Life Without Barriers, everyone has the right to make choices about intimacy, relationships and sexual experiences. We encourage the people we support to have experiences and make connections that enrich their lives. This includes pursuing relationships and exploring intimacy and sexuality.
It’s our job to empower the people we support to have positive intimate relationships, based on consent, respect and safety. Want to have the chat, but don’t know where to start? Visit our Relationships, Intimacy and Sexual Relationships webpage to learn more.
