“Mighty Helpful Mitre 10”

Published On: 30 March 2020Categories: NDIS, News

Stephen McCormick is a Rathdowney local who has been part of the helpful team at the Beaudesert Mitre 10 for eight years.

Stephen has years of experience as an automotive spray painter, and after a traffic accident 20 years ago became a quadriplegic.

He is a participant in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“This is my first retail job. How I came to be here was, I did a course with Sarina Russo, a Certificate 2 in Retail. Part of that course was to do work experience somewhere. So at the end of that

Clint (Mitre 10 Manager) was a champion and found me two days a week work.”

Stephen says that he looks forward to his days at work and that it gets him out of the house and mixing with the public.

“I know where everything is after eight years. Clint asked me when I first started here if I spot anything that could make it easier for me to let him know. But I found that the isles were wide enough for my chair.”

Clint Spence, Manager of Beaudesert Mitre 10, is a true local, he is a Beaudesert boy, born and bred and has been the manager for 43 years.

“Mitre 10 has been in business here for 56 years under the one local family owner. We have 13 permanent staff and six casuals, including Steve. We are all ramped up to handle wheelchairs and other mobility walkers etc.,” Mitre 10 Manager, Clint Spence said.

“What appealed to us was the fact that Steve had a background in spray painting, and he has taught himself a few things here. We saw the potential, and it is a good skills match. It has worked well over eight years,” Clint said.

With funding from the NDIS, Stephen now has a Smart Drive Wheelchair Power Assist device for his manual wheelchair.

Stephen is now better able to assist customers and manoeuvre easily around the store.

“Before when a customer would ask where an item was, at the rate that I was travelling the poor customer was walking at half pace to keep up with me.”

“Now, with the Smart Drive, I can go at their speed and show people where things are in the store and help people out. We are mighty helpful!” Stephen said.

Stephen is supported on his NDIS journey by a Local Area Coordinator (LAC) at Carers Queensland, NDIS Partner in the Community Program for the Ipswich region and is making significant progress.

Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS.

If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland staff can also help you identify and link to options for support in your local community.

To find out more about how the NDIS and Local Area Coordination program can work for you, call Carers Queensland NDIS Local Area Coordination Partner in the Community Program for the Ipswich region on 3454 0500.

You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au