Bryden is using his skills to mentor children with disabilities

When 21-year-old Bryden applied for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in 2018, his goal was to increase his independence and build his social skills.

This year, Bryden, who has Down syndrome and a hearing impairment, achieved his goal and now works three mornings a week at Mudgeeraba State School, mentoring young students with disability and teaching key word signing.

“I have worked hard this term. I like working and like helping people to learn.

“It’s fun and it’s amazing. I like everything about my job, especially teaching key signing,” he said.

Bryden’s mum Denise said her son had grown in confidence and ability since receiving NDIS funding.

“I have seen Bryden gain a lot of independence. With the NDIS he has built some key skills and he has the funding to spend more time building his ability,” she said.

Leaving school in 2017, Bryden received School Leavers Employment Supports funding to build job readiness skills with a support worker.

“Bryden and his support worker Bec had been getting job ready, learning how to put together a resume.”

“Independently, Bryden went around by himself at Australia Fair Shopping Centre, introducing himself to businesses and telling them he was looking for work. He came home with six email addresses of people who were interested in receiving his resume.”

“That showed great skills and initiative, no one had asked him to do that. When he saw the job at the school advertised he went for the job and got it,” said Denise.

Looking to the future, Bryden would like to move to Robina into his own unit with support.

“Our goals were for Bryden to get a job and to continue with his social integration and to learn to travel independently.”

“Our goal is for Bryden to have his own life, his own job, a place of his own, have a girlfriend or get married, whatever he wants to do. We want him to be independent.”

Bryden is supported on his journey by Carers Queensland, NDIS Partner in the Community for the Gold Coast region and works with one of the supportive and skilled Local Area Coordinators.

To find out more about how the NDIS and Local Area Coordination program can work for you, contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, or cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au