Rhyce is building on his confidence with the NDIS

Rhyce is working towards his goal of completing a fun run with the help of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supports.

The 21-year-old from Boronia Heights – who has autism and an intellectual disability – is building his confidence at the gym with a specialised trainer who is helping him with guidance and coordination.

Rhyce’s mum, Marie, said the support he receives at the gym is pinnacle to his success.

“Rhyce was fluctuating in weight, so going to the gym and having a trainer helping him, he can get more fit and keep going,” Marie said.

“He loves the gym, especially on the machines, and his trainer guides him as some things he can’t do.

“Eventually he would like to do a fun run with a support worker to give himself a goal (as) he was a good runner at high school.

“It is good to have a goal to achieve something, so a fun run would help him.”

Rhyce also keeps busy with his artwork, attending the local Community Arts Centre every week.

“Rhyce goes once a week on a Monday with a support worker who helps guide him to know what colours to blend, make new colours, what he is painting, to source what pictures he’d like to paint, help guide him if he needs more care, and helps show his work to the teacher,” Marie said.

“His support worker also helps him with communication as he is the only person with a disability during his session.”

Rhyce is now paving the way for other NDIS participants to play a part at the art centre.

“There are now more people with disability that attend; when you can point the way for others to follow and for community to become aware that people with disabilities have many ways to contribute is important,” she said.

Rhyce has tried connecting to his Aboriginal culture with his art in the past, as cultural awareness is important to his family.

Marie said the family is considering working with the art centre to develop an inclusive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art culture in the future.

“We wish he would be able to be more in touch with the community and his cultural side,” she said.

Rhyce’s painting of a kookaburra was this year lucky enough to be used by his local Member of Parliament’s birthday cards sent to residents.

“Rhyce will try and give everything a go. NDIS is important as it helps him to experience things he hasn’t before,” Marie said.

Connection is important and Rhyce received assistance to plan and implement his NDIS funding from Carers Queensland’s NDIS Local Area Coordination (LAC) Partner in the Community Program for the Logan region.

“My son was not very communicative due to his autism, but now he says hello; the NDIS has broken down communication barriers,” she said.

“I am very grateful for the NDIS, and so is my son. It is opening many doors as it is now ‘my life, my choice’. It has opened his world.”

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 can help you identify and link to options for support in your community.

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