We have been supporting Hayley for three years. She lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder and uses her NDIS plan to access the support she needs to thrive. She asked if she could share her story, in the hopes of inspiring others to get support that truly makes a difference. This is Hayley’s story.
Hayley’s NDIS journey
For a long time, I thought something was wrong with me. At school, I struggled silently, never understanding how my peers were able to cope with things so easily. Me on the other hand… I found the bright lights of the classroom overbearing. Loud noises made me shut down. Unexpected sounds or too much chatter while I was trying to focus on my work, instantly put me on edge. I didn’t know if something was wrong with me or if I was just broken. That was until, at the age of 24, I was finally given a name for it: Autism. I’ll admit that it was a huge relief. It felt like the confirmation I was waiting for that there wasn’t anything wrong with me. I was just living with a condition and needed some support.
Is this an NDIS plan or a maze?
Unfortunately, getting the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder wasn’t the magical solution. Yes it brought clarity, but it also brought an overwhelming wave of “what now?” Things got even more complicated when I was given my first NDIS plan and had no idea what to do with it. I remember opening the documents and feeling like I was reading a different language. Words like Capacity Building, Core Supports, and Support Coordination meant nothing to me. I didn’t know where to start or who was the right person to ask for help. I just wanted to know if I could get therapy? Support at home? Help with finding work? Okay, I had the funding, but I had no real way of understanding how to use it. I kept thinking, if it’s supposed to give me control, why do I feel more lost than ever?
Choice and control was the answer
So I did what most people do and went down the Google rabbit hole. I looked into so many providers and organisations, and none of them felt right. Truthfully, it wasn’t until I landed on Achora’s website that a message stood out. They believe in empowering people to understand their plans and ensuring they have complete choice and control. That’s what I needed!
So I reached out and that’s when everything started to change. When I met with the team at Achora, I felt understood from the very beginning.
Finding the right Support Coordinator
They didn’t talk at me or use those fancy NDIS words that require their own dictionary. Instead, they walked me through every part of my plan. They didn’t explain it once or twice. They kept explaining until I truly understood and was ready to take the next steps. I remember feeling guilty that it was taking so much time to explain such simple concepts and my Support Coordinator, Brishna, told me, “I will continue to explain it until you feel confident, and even if in three months time you have forgotten or need it explained again, you call me and we’ll walk through it as many times as you need.”
With Brishna’s help, I discovered supports I didn’t even know existed. She showed me how to use my Core Supports funding to access help at home and assistance with daily tasks that had always felt too hard. Through Capacity Building (a concept I never knew existed in the months prior), I started working with an occupational therapist and a mentor to build routines and gain confidence in social settings. I’ve even been exploring employment pathways, which is something I never thought possible before.
But more than anything, Achora gave me back control. For the first time, I felt like I could take ownership of my situation and actually begin to enjoy life, not just get by.
Taking ownership of my NDIS plan
The NDIS is an incredible system and I appreciate the support it offers me. Even though it was daunting at first, it’s worth it in the end. And I really believe it all came down to finding the right Support Coordinator for me.
Brishna didn’t just manage my plan, she has empowered me to understand it. She listens, she cares and I’ve never felt alone.
If you’re where I was, I want you to know there is support that meets you where you are. For me, that support was Achora and I am so grateful I found my way to them.
Looking for help with your NDIS plan?
We are so honoured by Hayley’s beautiful words. Her experience is similar to so many participants who get an NDIS plan and don’t know what to do next. If you’re in a similar position, let Achora walk with you. Because you deserve support that puts you in the driver’s seat.
Contact us to find out how we can help.