News

Be patient with disability
Wed, Oct 24 2007

If there’s one message that Fiona Sanders would give people, it would be “Don’t be scared, be patient.”

Fiona, 23, is talking about dealing with people with disabilities.

She is a superb example of how far someone with a disability can go if given the resources and encouragement.

Staff at the EW Tipping Foundation in Ballarat remember Fiona only a few years ago as a shy young woman who would barely speak.

Today they describe her as “an inspiration”. Between work, advocacy and volunteer roles, socializing and her hobbies, Fiona would have to be one of the busiest people in Ballarat.

“Fiona’s story is amazing,” said Tipping Team Leader Denise Loveless. “She helps us to remember what our jobs are really about.”

Fiona received support over several years from the Foundation to develop her living skills – such as budgeting, banking, train travel – and equally importantly, her social skills.

Several carers worked with her over those years, some of whom have remained close friends. “They taught me what true friends are,” said Fiona.

With that assistance, and her own determination and hard work, Fiona has achieved many of her goals. She is almost fully independent and no longer needs support, apart from those times when her parents are away.

She began casual work with the Foundation, helping to build up her skills, and now works for the Snakes and Ladders project, a disability awareness game, traveling across Victoria as a facilitator. She’s just completed a contract with the Ballarat Council as well.

In her spare time she loves making jewellery, mixing with a wide range of friends, and volunteers at the local Lifeline Opportunity Shop. Then there’s the odd volunteer role such as teaching local senior citizens how to use mobile phones.

But one of her real passions is advocating on behalf of people with disabilities. Fiona runs the Ballarat Youth Advocacy Group and sits on the steering committee for the Youth Disability Advocacy Service in Melbourne.

“I lived in a special residential service for a while, and I saw that people didn’t have a voice,” she said. “That’s why I went into advocacy.

“One day I would like to run a nursing home that is safe, where people have a voice.”

And her advice to people in the community? “When people are talking to someone with a disability – like someone with a speech impairment or in a wheelchair - they generally aren’t patient.

“Just let them talk - and don’t help without asking. People just ASSUME you need help or you can’t do anything, but that’s often not right. It’s polite to ask first.”

The EW Tipping Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation helping people to live life their way. It provides support for people with disabilities, children, older Victorians and carers in Ballarat and throughout Western Victoria. It also fosters inclusive communities.