For Jimmy and Christian, support starts with choice

When Jimmy and his Wesley Mission disability support worker Christian started working together a year ago, they quickly found common ground in music. Since then, their connection has grown into a respectful partnership focused on confidence, choice and independence.

Jimmy’s story

“Christian and I love to do carpool karaoke together. We listen to songs from High School Musical and some of our favourite artists, like Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Britney Spears and old Miley Cyrus, but not new Miley.

“When Christian and I go out, we discuss what we want to do that day and I plan it all out. Christian helps me with budgeting when we’re shopping and he’s taught me that it’s okay just to have a look and then walk out of the store. You don’t have to buy that item. To me, being independent means being more grown up and being an adult. When I have Christian around, it’s like I’m more grown up.

“I would describe him as a kind and honest young gentleman. He’s really nice and he treats me with a lot of respect. He’s like a big brother to me.

“I live at home with my dad, mum and my brother Mark, and I work five days a week at Woolies, doing loose dock returns, box rubbish collection and generally helping out staff members. I enjoy my work, it’s fantastic and the people are nice to me. When I’m not at work, I enjoy ten pin bowling, listening to music, going to Timezone and the movies.

“My plan for the future is to just keep working with Christian and keep doing what we’re doing. I’m proud of him; he’s a really good brother to me.”

Christian’s story

“Jimmy and I have similar personalities, especially in regards to music. We love music and discovering that was one of the key moments for me where we just clicked. I see him as a younger brother in a way. My approach is sharing life lessons and being a mentor. But at the end of the day, my goal is to empower Jimmy. He chooses what he wants to do and I’m just here to give him that extra assistance, to support him.

“For Jimmy, I think his main goal is to build independence, especially with interpersonal skills, building confidence and building a routine. Before we started working together, he wasn’t planning. Now he makes plans and tells me, ‘Christian, this is what I want to do’. He does his research.

“When we go out into the community, we do some practice runs, for example interacting with a cashier. If he’s feeling a bit anxious, I’m here to assist. I’m just there for moral support, being present and helping Jimmy implement the plan.

“Helping people is part of my personal mission and doing this work has contributed to my own personal growth. They learn from me, but I’ve learned a lot from them about compassion, kindness and patience. Doing this work requires empathy and a listening ear. It’s hearing people out, giving them that voice and allowing them to be heard.”

The right place for Michael

How did Joe know Wesley Mission’s LifeSkills was the right choice for his son? Because Michael chose it himself.

After Michael finished his education at Caroline Chisholm School, Joe and his wife Andrée started looking for a disability day program.

“At some of the places, Michael wouldn’t even want to go inside,” Joe recalls. “But at Wesley Mission’s centre, he walked straight in, sat down and was settled. I’m thinking, ‘well, it’s not for me or my wife, it’s for him.’”

Michael – who lives with autism – was enrolled on the spot. Since 2011, he has attended four days a week and is now based at Wesley LifeSkills in southern Sydney’s Bardwell Park. Although Michael doesn’t use speech to communicate, Joe says he’s understood through routine, behaviour, choices and responses.

“He’s generally such a happy guy, you’ll hear him giggling when he does something cheeky. And he just has that smile.”

Wesley Mission’s support workers understand Michael and the small habits that help him feel settled. “They’ll take him to the park to play. He likes to be outside a lot, not necessarily inside,” Joe says. Over time, that familiarity has helped Michael build everyday skills, too. Getting dressed, once difficult, is now more manageable. Joe says the consistency has made all the difference. “I have total faith in what Wesley Mission does for Michael.”

“As long as Michael’s happy, we are happy.”

For more information, visit wesleymission.org.au/disability-services