From Stuck to Soaring: A Journey of Personal Growth

Written by Russell Shaw

We recently caught up with Henry for a friendly catch-up in our cozy, two-bedroom cottage. Henry has been here before, this living room is Dynamic Ability Support’s short-term accommodation (respite) home, where Henry has stayed and adventured from in the past. The story he shares with us on this day reflects on his transformation and journey of self-discovery, independence, and newfound skills. Much like the afternoon sun slowly sinking, we settle into soft sofas, creating the perfect backdrop for an inspiring story of personal growth.

Photo of Henry

Henry is painting in Dynamic Ability Support’s Garden Studio with a Support Worker.

Henry has been with Dynamic Ability Support since the spring of 2021, making today feel like an unofficial second anniversary and the perfect opportunity to reflect on lessons learnt and accomplishments. Our Support Workers, have accompanied Henry throughout the weeks on his explorations of community; What his community looks like; where he feels belonging; and, where adventures live. Every so often, Henry elevates those explorations by enjoying a short stay in our Independent Living Home (respite / short-term accommodation), not just as a guest, but as a young man working towards the art of ‘adulting’ (independence). The walls of this quaint abode, where we sit today and where he is staying for the night, resonate with good memories for Henry, of laughter with friends, learning with masters, and the faint scent of many culinary adventures. Henry has masterfully navigated the realm of cooking, budgeting, and keeping things spick and span during his frequent stays. This home is often a symphony of new and intriguing activities that dance to the rhythm of Henry's heart, one that beats with enthusiasm and curiosity.

As Henry lowers the blind a little, making himself at home, I ask; “Can you remember anything about a time before you met Dynamic Ability Support and what the initial few months were like after engaging in support?”

Henry quietly yet confidently responds, “Before DAS, things were okay, but I knew that I had a lot of things to work on”. Then after a pause adds, “I didn’t really know how I would get any independence at all… I was trying my best to do it by following advice from friends. I didn’t have any momentum to work on myself, I was just… stuck in one place”.

I can see Henry’s calendar in the background, hanging on the kitchen wall. He has scribbled the ingredients he needs to purchase from the grocery store to cook something undoubtedly delicious tonight and has added a few options for tomorrow’s activities. Seeing this makes me think, ‘You don’t seem stuck anymore’. 

Henry continues to speak, “I spoke with my psychologist who suggested the NDIS might be able to help me… so I went into the NDIS office with a friend and asked how I could get support. They gave me a form to fill out and I did.” He pauses then continues, “In the months leading up to joining DAS, I remember getting that first NDIS Plan approved and looking forward to support, but I had no idea what it was going to be like. I was nervous, I was worried I wouldn’t like my support worker or enjoy supports.”

Photo of Henry

Henry shoots the basketball towards the hoop while onlookers cheer him on in the background.

Henry stops, leaving me to ponder how exploring the unknown is a common challenge for everyone, I ask, “Do you remember a specific moment or experience that when things changed for you?”

The silence between my question and his answer lingers, I can almost hear him searching his memory, “I remember a few” he eventually quips, “in the early stages of support, I was getting help with all the things I wanted to learn, and there was a moment when I realized I was learning new things, but I hadn’t realised because I was enjoying my support so much.”  Henry grins, then looks out of the window and takes a long, deep breath, “Another time was when I moved back with my parents. Even though this was difficult for me, my supports were there to help me.”

“In the past I would have felt stuck, my mood would have plummeted and  I would have lost motivation, but with the right support in place I stayed on track. My supports helped me to keep getting out there, into the community and doing things I enjoyed, so that was a point when I thought, “this is great for me”, it was like even though it felt like a setback, things kept moving forward in the right direction. It helped me to grow.“

We’re interrupted momentarily by a Support Worker, who has come over from the office to see if we need anything. Henry, the embodiment of the joyous explorer, often saunters next door to catch up with the office staff. It's where the breezy exchange of banter and updates transforms the mundane into something extraordinary. The camaraderie is palpable, the connection is tangible, and the sense of belonging is truly heartwarming. It’s this train of thought that leads me to ask him, “What advice or words of encouragement would you share with someone who is considering joining Dynamic Ability Support on their own journey to personal growth and independence?” 

Without hesitation, Henry snaps back “DO IT!”... he recalibrates his thoughts and continues, “It’s so good, all the people are great, the Participants and the Support Workers. You can just tell everyone enjoys being there. It’s so comfortable, all the people make me feel at home. Whenever I come in (to the office) It doesn’t feel like there’s a difference between the Participants and the Staff. It feels like we’re all mates”

Photo of Henry

Henry stands holding two pieces of art he created in Dynamic Ability Support’s CREATE program. One is a skateboard deck with a Japanese inspired image, and the other is a canvas with an owl featuring.

And what’s next for Henry? 

“With the help of my psychologist and Support Workers, I’ve just enrolled in a Traffic Control Course; I’m planning to find work after I finish that. I want to save up to independently rent my own place. I’ve also just completed my applying for affordable housing. My Support Workers from DAS were with me to help get that all started.”

Henry’s answers are adorned with long pauses that shimmer with the brilliance of introspection. It has been a conversation that peels back the layers of his journey, each sentence echoing with passion and pride. In just 30 minutes, we relive the remarkable transformation—from a place of being "stuck" to newfound independence and optimism.

I realise I haven’t asked a few important questions scribbled and underlined several items on my notepad: 

“What skills would you say that you have learned with Dynamic Ability Support?”.

“Cooking!” he says triumphantly. “I couldn’t cook before. I can now do it on my own, I love cooking when I stay at the DAS (Independent Living) House, I love the freedom I get from cooking my own meals”.

We pivot to hobbies, “What about hobbies? Have you picked up any new interests through support?

“Too many to think of them all. But lately, it’s fishing. I love it.”

I smile, I can’t help but be reminded of the old adage; “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”.

As the sun begins to lower itself further, Henry lets me know it’s almost time for him to head to the grocery store and eagerly asks me to review his budget for the shop. As per usual, he has done a phenomenal job. He is planning to use the money he has budgeted for an exciting adventure and meal out tomorrow with his favourite Support Worker. ‘How amazing’ I think to myself as I thank Henry for his time and let myself out.

Henry's story is a testament to the power of support, community, and lifelong learning. It's a story that I’m sure many others in our Dynamic community could relate to and yet, understand that each journey of growth toward independence is unique.