Hi, my name is Mel. I have cerebral palsy, otherwise known as CP. My parents have always said that I should never let my disability be the reason for not living life to the full. So, I like to travel, spend time with friends, volunteer and engage in paid disability awareness work, just to name a few things.

When I was little, my parents strived to create a ‘normal’ life for me regardless of my disability. The legacy of their efforts has been that I have expectations of myself to be someone who contributes meaningfully to the society that I live in.

I currently do disability awareness presentations for organisations. I also mentor a person with mental health challenges and have welfare based qualifications, which I will have the opportunity to further at uni in the near future.

My love of travel has also seen me be able to enjoy the ballet of Sleeping Beauty at Covent Garden in London in October 2011. A real highlight for me.

My support needs are significant, meaning that I need the assistance of a family member or support worker to complete most tasks of daily living.

‘Pity parties’ sometimes happen to me, just like they do to anyone, but mostly I focus on my passion which is creating a world of more opportunity for choice, dignity and the ‘good life’ for people who have a disability.

When I started using a self-managed funding support option in November 2009, I got a true sense of what freedom actually can mean for someone who has a disability.

Having direct contact with workers, as I do, allows more flexibility for me which  enables more fluidity in my community participation, and makes me feel that I’m not defined by my disability.

My hope is that through reading my blog entries, you will gain more insight into what it is like to live with a disability. You might also be motivated to consider getting a job in the disability sector or to just simply understand disability from a first-hand perspective.

carecareers plays an integral part in supporting people with a disability to access support workers and other professionals in the sector, who see the people they are providing assistance to as valuable contributing members of the community.     

I hope that you will find my blog posts informative, perception-challenging and enjoyable.

I’ll be at the Sydney rally today too for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). It’s an important step to make the NDIS a reality. I hope to see you there.

This week’s featured job is from House With No Steps.

This organisation is seeking an experienced Support Worker to support two men (18 years and 21 years) with autism.

House With No Steps is a leading provider of quality residential, employment and ancillary services to people with disabilities throughout NSW and other states in Australia.

They’re committed to innovation, continuous improvement and building strong relationships.

Does this sound like what you’re committed to? Find out more about this Support Worker role or search for more jobs in the disability sector of NSW.

Closing date: 11 February 2012

Behha Residential Services in Revesby is seeking a Part Time Disability Support Worker to work on weekends, starting in February 2012.

Behha Residential Services is a not-for-profit family orientated charity which specialises in assisted accommodation for adults with disability.

Disability Support Workers facilitate the development and enhancement of independent living and other skills to enable their clients to maintain their independence and realise their goals.

Closing date: 20 January 2012

Find out more about the Disability Support Worker role or search for more jobs in disability and community care.

I was asked on carecareers: What qualification do you have and how long did it take for you to finish your study?

When I finished school I wasn’t sure where I wanted to focus my career. My parents encouraged me to attend University until I made up my mind. As a compromise I studied externally and worked in retail so I still had some money to socialise with my friends. In this time I completed an Associate Degree in Law.

Not really having much interest or even confidence to work in a law firm, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Social Science. This time I studied internally and only worked part time. I was working as a Support Worker in a local childcare centre supporting a few children with disability attending the centre to actively participate in the program.

Once I completed this degree I started working full time in a non government organisation that supported people with disability. After working for about 12 months I decided to enrol in a Master of Social Science, focusing on human services management. I completed this part time whilst working in the field.

All up, I studied for quite a few years, but that is mainly because I was not really sure ‘what I wanted to do when I grew up’, and some of the study was part time. In saying that, I am not someone who would ‘do it differently’ if I turned back the clock. The journey has been what has contributed to me being who I am today. We all have our own journey to follow.    

Learn more about training and qualifications or contact the carecareers Careers Centre to chat to a Talent Advisor.

Do you have a question for me? You can anonymously ask questions to help with your career decisions, at Career Advice and Opinions on carecareers.