Sydney Woman Defies Disability to Live Life Her Way

Faced with multiple physical and behavioural disabilities, Andrea demonstrates that every person possesses unique abilities that lead them to success in life.
 

Andrea attends Afford’s (The Australian Foundation for Disability) Kings Park Day Program in Sydney’s West. Despite being both deaf and blind, Andrea proves time and again that with determination and resilience, anything is possible.

For Andrea, day program gives her the opportunity to develop her skills for independence and enjoy social interaction in a supportive environment.

Since 2017, Andrea has been supported on an individual basis by Lisa Okenwa at Kings Park Day Program. Lisa has a diploma in Auslan and helps Andrea learn new skills for everyday life.

Lisa and Andrea have their own novel way of communicating. Andrea’s vision impairment means that she communicates with Lisa via hand-on-hand sign language.

For Andrea, being able to express her moods, needs and wants in life is especially important for her overall physical and mental wellbeing. With Lisa, she can easily state her feelings and what she wants.

Over the years, the Auslan sign language, modified for Andrea’s needs, has enabled her to get involved in activities organised by her day program. 

She has participated in swimming, bowling, and sailing experiences. She also enjoys getting into the kitchen to cook and participating in work experience.

“Andrea’s independent living skills have flourished. She is now confident to wash the dishes after cooking, as well as travel with support on public transport,” said Gifty Aidoo, Team Leader at Kings Park Day Program.

Side by side with Lisa, Andrea has enjoyed competing at Afford’s annual Funathon and even taken to the stage at Afford’s Got Talent.

She enjoys work experience every Thursday at Afford’s Minchinbury ADE (Australian Disability Enterprise). At the ADE, Afford Supervisors have adapted Andrea’s work area to suit her abilities. With repetition and precision, Andrea diligently packs and stacks jobs.

To help with emotional management, Lisa supports Andrea to learn and practice meditation. Meditation helps her to relax and remain calm at times when life becomes a little too overwhelming.

Lisa also supports Andrea to develop her writing skills. Lisa Auslan signs words to Andrea, and she then uses the computer keyboard to type the words in Microsoft Word. 

Afford’s support has helped Andrea to participate in the things that she loves and to have the confidence to get the most out of life.

“Our staff go above and beyond to help individuals with unique needs to find supports that allow them to live the life they have always wanted,” said Gifty.

Afford is a registered charity and has been operating in Australia for 68 years, providing a range of disability supports to thousands of people every day.

As one of Australia’s longest-serving not-for-profit disability organisations, Afford goes above and beyond traditional service offerings to adapt to new operating environments to support individuals achieve their goals for work, home and life under the NDIS.

For more information visit www.afford.com.au or call 1300 233 673.

ENDS

Editor’s Note: Download images to accompany this release here.

Media Contact: Maria Crema: Crema PR m 0402 239 929 e maria@cremapr.com.au

About Afford - www.afford.com.au

The Australian Foundation for Disability is a registered charity providing disability services to thousands of people across Australia. The supports provided by Afford include Shared Living; Overnight Respite; Social and Community Programs; Transition to Work Programs; Transition to Retirement Programs; Carer Support; Disability Employment Services; Supported Employment; Allied Health Support, Support Coordination and Supported Holidays.