Jamie-Lee talks about seeing the good in all situations.

Fourteen months ago, my life changed in a way I didn’t expect. I knew things were going to have to change but that didn’t mean I was going to accept it easily.

My needs were growing, even though I wanted to deal with it on my own, my body wouldn’t let me. It wasn’t how I foresaw my future, but I needed to learn how to embrace these changes.

One of my good friends gave me some great advice when dealing with my disability, she told me to ‘see the good’ in all situations. I have tried to live by this way of thinking and apply it when I find myself in difficult situations.

Jamie-Lee exploring the new area she lives in.

When I began needing 24/7 support, I thought my world was about to get a whole lot smaller. It’s something I had resisted for so long and struggled to admit I needed more help than I had. It isn’t easy losing that amount of privacy or independence, and I certainly didn’t feel comfortable with this idea for a few years.

I have a lot of fun with my support team and have made some really great friendships as a result. I basically get to work with my really good friends every day, and while it may be hard to share my privacy with them, they share the same values of seeing the good in things which makes it a lot easier.

I’m very lucky to live in a country that has funding for people with a disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS provides choice and control for independent clients and their support workers.

A support coordinator once told me that I need to get NDIS funding for my worst days. At the time I received this information, I didn’t really understand what he meant. It is only through hindsight that I look back and wish I had understood him earlier.

Currently, I am navigating another hurdle that I didn’t see coming. The Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) apartment I wanted to move into required me to use onsite support as a condition of entry. This means I will have to apply for two person transfer funding through NDIS.

It’s hard to accept the changes in my condition, but it’s even harder pretending I don’t need extra support. Overcoming and accepting this hurdle allowed me to achieve my home and living goals and move into accommodation that has been a goal of mine for a while now. 

The advice from the Housing Hub’s Home and Living Support Coordination Team was valuable in clarifying aspects of this change and helping me see things from a different perspective. 

I’m now applying for more funding with my support coordinator through NDIS and have found the Housing Hub’s Housing Roadmap – namely the 'Funding, Planning and Searching' section – really helpful. Challenging NDIS Decisions is also a useful resource when navigating the process of requesting a review and appealing decisions.  

Although dealing with the NDIS is a challenging process, it does make me feel lucky to have access to this service and not be defined by my disability through my independent living situation. Overall, embracing these hurdles and the mentality of ‘seeing the good’ has helped me get to the place I am now.

Was this article helpful?

About the author

Jamie-Lee loves to challenge stereotypes surrounding disability; her lived experience of someone growing up disabled motivates her advocacy. Having studied journalism at uni, she uses her writing skills to her advantage. Shining a light on independent living options available to people with a disability is how we can create change in our society. She hopes to help other people with a disability along their journey, encouraging vulnerable people to find their voice. She believes that diversity will pave the way to equality for all.

The Housing Hub currently lists over 3,200 homes for people with disability to rent or buy, including individual apartments and group homes. Search for a home that is right for you today!

Or better still, creating a Housing Seeker Profile and let the Housing Hub do the hard work for you. Sign up here!

Jamie-Lee talks about seeing the good in all situations.

Fourteen months ago, my life changed in a way I didn’t expect. I knew things were going to have to change but that didn’t mean I was going to accept it easily.

My needs were growing, even though I wanted to deal with it on my own, my body wouldn’t let me. It wasn’t how I foresaw my future, but I needed to learn how to embrace these changes.

One of my good friends gave me some great advice when dealing with my disability, she told me to ‘see the good’ in all situations. I have tried to live by this way of thinking and apply it when I find myself in difficult situations.

Jamie-Lee exploring the new area she lives in.

When I began needing 24/7 support, I thought my world was about to get a whole lot smaller. It’s something I had resisted for so long and struggled to admit I needed more help than I had. It isn’t easy losing that amount of privacy or independence, and I certainly didn’t feel comfortable with this idea for a few years.

I have a lot of fun with my support team and have made some really great friendships as a result. I basically get to work with my really good friends every day, and while it may be hard to share my privacy with them, they share the same values of seeing the good in things which makes it a lot easier.

I’m very lucky to live in a country that has funding for people with a disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). The NDIS provides choice and control for independent clients and their support workers.

A support coordinator once told me that I need to get NDIS funding for my worst days. At the time I received this information, I didn’t really understand what he meant. It is only through hindsight that I look back and wish I had understood him earlier.

Currently, I am navigating another hurdle that I didn’t see coming. The Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) apartment I wanted to move into required me to use onsite support as a condition of entry. This means I will have to apply for two person transfer funding through NDIS.

It’s hard to accept the changes in my condition, but it’s even harder pretending I don’t need extra support. Overcoming and accepting this hurdle allowed me to achieve my home and living goals and move into accommodation that has been a goal of mine for a while now. 

The advice from the Housing Hub’s Home and Living Support Coordination Team was valuable in clarifying aspects of this change and helping me see things from a different perspective. 

I’m now applying for more funding with my support coordinator through NDIS and have found the Housing Hub’s Housing Roadmap – namely the 'Funding, Planning and Searching' section – really helpful. Challenging NDIS Decisions is also a useful resource when navigating the process of requesting a review and appealing decisions.  

Although dealing with the NDIS is a challenging process, it does make me feel lucky to have access to this service and not be defined by my disability through my independent living situation. Overall, embracing these hurdles and the mentality of ‘seeing the good’ has helped me get to the place I am now.

Was this article helpful?

About the author

Jamie-Lee loves to challenge stereotypes surrounding disability; her lived experience of someone growing up disabled motivates her advocacy. Having studied journalism at uni, she uses her writing skills to her advantage. Shining a light on independent living options available to people with a disability is how we can create change in our society. She hopes to help other people with a disability along their journey, encouraging vulnerable people to find their voice. She believes that diversity will pave the way to equality for all.

The Housing Hub currently lists over 3,200 homes for people with disability to rent or buy, including individual apartments and group homes. Search for a home that is right for you today!

Or better still, creating a Housing Seeker Profile and let the Housing Hub do the hard work for you. Sign up here!