"Now I order and pay for myself when we go out. I like being able to buy things for myself.”
Olivia lives with her mum and sister in Queensland, her dad lives nearby. Five years ago, Olivia and her mum Leanne engaged Life Without Barriers Home and Community Assistance Supports, utilising the Queensland Community Support Scheme (QCSS).
Olivia was matched up with a fantastic support worker, Kellie. From the get-go, Olivia liked that Kellie asked her what she wanted to do on the two days a week they had together. Together they decided that 'whatever it was, it had to be fun.'
“Kellie and I go out shopping. We get our nails painted. We go to the library, and listen to story time,” said Olivia.
Image: Collage of images: 1. Olivia sitting in a nail salon. 2.Close-up of Olivia's nails, which are painted pink.
Olivia appreciates that Kellie understands her dislike of being touched. If the need arises, like for health reasons, Kellie will always seek consent with a 'hey can I check you out?' first, usually, Olivia is ok with it.
When Olivia saw that Kellie respected her right to choose whether to have physical contact or not, she began to feel more comfortable with Kellie. Now, she will grab Kellie’s hand when she needs it, like when going downstairs where she feels unsteady.
People often assume that Olivia needs things done for her, but Kellie knows better. During their activities together, Olivia is in control. Olivia will bait her own fish when they go out fishing, even if it takes her a little longer to do so.
In her horse riding lessons, which Kellie provided support for, Olivia’s boundaries of what she could achieve were stretched, and she rose to each challenge. She brushed and groomed horses, fed them, and was trained in horse riding skills like playing games while on horseback.
Image: Olivia riding a white horse.
Kellie encourages Olivia to try new things. When at a café, Olivia would previously turn to Kellie to order and pay. Kellie assured Olivia that she was perfectly capable of doing that for herself.
“I ordered our food and used my bank card to pay for my meal. At first, I was worried I might do something wrong, but Kellie said I did great," said Olivia.
"Now I order and pay for myself when we go out. I like being able to buy things for myself.”
At home, it had never occurred to Olivia to help with the housework. Leanne, Olivia's mum, would do all the household cleaning on her own. Kellie pointed out that Olivia could take responsibility for her own things. In time, Olivia began to do more and more for herself, and enjoys the routine of helping out now.
“When we get back, [from a day in the community] I unpack my bag, get all the stuff out, and then I'll hang my bag up for the day," Olivia shared.
"That way, Mum knows where everything is. I put my freezer block back in the freezer, take out my lunch box and put it on the bench so mum has got it for the next day," said Olivia.
"It helps mum. I feel good that I take care of my stuff.”
“But sometimes I forget and Kellie will make a joke to remind me. I say ‘oh Kellie, you’re making me work hard’.”
When Olivia saw how many different things she could do on her own, her confidence grew and she started to try things she was previously afraid of.
Olivia has a pool at home, but previously refused to go in it. She started going into the pool with Kellie. Leanne was amazed by Olivia’s new found love of the pool.
“One day I came out and saw Olivia and Kellie doing laps, then she would lie in the pool with Kellie. I could not believe it!" Said Leanne.
"She used to hate it – would not do any of it. And then there they were, doing laps and chilling out in the pool.”
Image: Olivia wearing a hat and a striped yellow top walking on a boardwalk.
Though she kept to herself at her previous day centre, Olivia actually enjoys interacting with people and wanted more of it.
“I like having friends. It would be good to have more people to talk to and do things with,” said Olivia.
One thing she found confusing was the way people would sometimes react to her attempts to be friendly. Olivia would get upset if she was ignored by people, or when people did not respond how she expected them to.
Olivia worked with Kellie to feel more confident interacting with people. When Olivia became upset when she thought she was being ignored when she said ‘hello’, Kellie would point out that the person did respond to Olivia’s greeting.
Kellie and Olivia worked on social queues and personal space, greeting and interacting with people and built up Olivia’s social skills.
Image: Olivia patting a kangaroo.
Over time, Olivia started making friends at her riding classes. Her new mates would sometimes meet outside of class.
“One time we got matching shirts. We also cook BBQs together. Everyone bought something. I cooked onions with my friend's mum. We kicked the ball and pat the dogs. Mum worked nearby and came round to see us,” said Olivia.
Leanne is proud of how Olivia’s confidence and enjoyment of her life has grown in the last few years.
“Olivia is free to do what she wants, within reason of course, and it’s so good that she has the support to do what she wants to do. I have seen how much she has grown with this one-on-one support."
"She’s developed all these skills, learnt what she can do for herself, and her confidence has grown. She seems happier. It is great seeing her enjoying herself. I love it.”
