Lutheran Services has been serving individuals and communities in Queensland since 1935. The organisation offers a range of disability support services across six centres. These services include supported-living accommodation, day services, in-home care services, employment and personal growth programs, health and wellbeing programs and behaviour support. Graceville Centre on the Sunshine Coast serves people living with intellectual, cognitive, or psychiatric disabilities through accommodation and support programs. Client Kylie and case managers Daniel and Mary share their experiences with disability and offer their thoughts about inclusion, acceptance and working for positive change in our society and our church.
Daniel Miller and Mary Moffat are case managers at the Graceville Centre in Nambour whose personal and professional experience have given them a deep understanding of living with disability. They share their thoughts on how we can all help create a more inclusive community.
WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE WITH DISABILITY?
Daniel: I have experienced disability as an individual, a parent and a sibling, so I recognise the challenges and know what can make a difference to people living with a disability. Lived experience means I bring a great deal of understanding, empathy and compassion to my work.
Mary: My brother has a history of mental health challenges, so I have spent my life witnessing how society and the system cope with disability. This has certainly inspired me to help make a difference. I am now extremely committed to and passionate about advocating for people with disabilities.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS FIELD OF WORK?
Daniel: I have always been drawn to helping others, without passing judgement. This tendency, coupled with my own experience, has no doubt led me to this vocation. I know how critical it is to have people walking beside you – someone who cares and has faith in you to achieve greater things. I was lucky enough to have that support and am humbled and grateful now to be able to offer that to others.
WHAT DRAWS YOU TO WORKING WITH PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITY?
Daniel: I love my job and really enjoy coming to work. There are challenges, but I know I am genuinely making a difference to the lives of some truly awesome people. The best part is that every day I get to help intelligent, motivated people achieve goals – both big and small. I know from my own background that reaching your goals can be hard work, but it is so much easier, so much more attainable and enjoyable, when you have someone walking beside you.
Also, working at Lutheran Services is a great fit for me, as we share a common value – that of grace.
Mary: For me, this is not work! It’s a vocation and something that I put my heart and soul into. Being able to make a positive impact on someone’s life really is an honour. Often, it’s the seemingly small things that are the most rewarding. To the people I support, just feeling heard, valued and appreciated is an achievement.
HOW DOES LUTHERAN SERVICES HELP CLIENTS BE THE VERY BEST THEY CAN BE?
Daniel: We make people with disabilities more visible in the community. That could be through employment or just supporting them to have an active role in society by providing confidence, belief and opportunities. Hopefully one day we won’t even be talking about disability as a differentiator anymore.
Mary: We use community events to showcase the strengths of people with disabilities. Our art shows not only show off the value and amazing skills of our people but also involve and educate the community. I think this is really important because people with disabilities are generally not seen in the mainstream. They are not represented in products, advertising, employment, television shows, or politics.
Making disability a part of the everyday is key to creating a truly inclusive community.
WHAT ROLE DO CONGREGATIONS HAVE IN WALKING WITH PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY?
Daniel: Congregations naturally have empathy and an ethic of caring based on what Jesus did and taught. They play an important role in providing support and guidance, and just ‘being there’ for people who need support. They also create environments driven by acceptance and compassion, where there is no judgement, and no-one is any better than anyone else. It’s not just about faith though; it’s having grace – making everyone feel welcome and that they belong.
Mary: I think we can all do better at recognising and playing to each other’s strengths and promoting and celebrating the positives. Unfortunately, our society gives people labels – puts them in boxes. We tend to generalise and judge, rather than looking deeper and seeing the actual person and what they have to offer.
WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY?
Daniel: We are just human beings! People with disabilities have a lot to give and are already doing so much in the community. We have experienced judgement and discrimination, and don’t pay that forward. There is no ‘them’ and ‘us’ … it’s just us.
Mary: If the community could see even half of what I see every day, they would have no qualms in socialising with and employing people with disabilities. We all need to just open our hearts and our minds and embrace all people … not fall into the trap of the label divide.
Find out more about Lutheran services: www.lutheranservices.org.au
Get in touch: 07 3858 3000 contact@lutheranservices.org.au
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