Living with an illness, injury, or disability can make finding and maintaining employment seem like an impossible challenge. However, with the right support and guidance, it is possible to overcome these barriers and achieve your career goals.
This is the inspiring story of Maddacen, who with the help of ETC’s Disability Employment Services (DES) Program, transformed her life and found meaningful employment while overcoming struggles with mental health.
Through personalised support and tailored job placements, ETC’s DES program empowers participants to achieve their career goals and improve their quality of life.
Maddacen’s story starts three years ago, when she came to ETC with high levels of anxiety and depression, compounded with Oppositional Defiance Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome.
These conditions created significant barriers to employment, affecting her concentration, mood, motivation, and relationships. To overcome her barriers and ultimately secure employment, Maddacen started working with ETC Jobs Advisor, Jaralyn.
Over time, through regular appointments tailored to Maddacen’s personal circumstances, Jaralyn carefully built a trusting rapport with Maddacen. These sessions were instrumental in helping Maddacen step out of her comfort zone and gradually become comfortable interacting with people outside her family.
ETC then connected Maddacen with a counsellor who taught her valuable strategies to manage her anxiety and panic attacks. This support was crucial in helping her leave the house and engage with the outside world. Maddacen was also guided to obtain a mental health plan through her GP, which she continues to follow.
“The anxiety is always there”, Maddacen said. “But I now have tools, coping strategies, and emotional support to keep pushing and challenging myself.”
Armed with new tools, Maddacen was next referred to TAFE in Port Macquarie, where she proudly completed a Certificate II in Career Preparation. This achievement not only provided her with a qualification, but also helped her adapt to a structured environment and interact with others.
Then with ETC’s assistance, Maddacen secured a housekeeping role at Wyndham Resort. This job was ideal, allowing her to work independently or in small groups, which suited her anxiety levels.
Maddacen has now been employed at Wyndham Resort for over two years, consistently performing above benchmarks. She credits ETC’s ongoing support for providing the emotional and practical support she needs to stay in work.
“This support gave me the push and strength to stay in work and not give up on myself, even on my hard days,” she said.
ETC has also helped Maddacen obtain her L’s, as well as assisted with driving lessons enabling her to secure her P’s! She is now excited to be close to getting her full open licence
Maddacen regularly checks in with her current ETC Jobs Advisor, Dave, who has become a trusted source of guidance and support. Dave has also stepped in to help with financial assistance for essentials like quality footwear and fuel, making sure she can keep her job without any added pressure.
Having a job has given Maddacen’s life purpose and boosted her confidence. She said, “It feels like I have a purpose. Like my life now has a purpose. I actually feel really proud and I feel like I am able to go on now and do more things, and of course, the extra money is helpful.”
The income from employment has also improved her family’s living situation, helping to secure better accommodation within the local area.
“My income has contributed big time to getting my family and I better accommodation in Port Macquarie and it’s nice to feel like I can help my family as we are now in a way better house.”
Now excelling at work and in her person endeavours, Maddacen has truly transformed her life.
“Overall, ETC has boosted my confidence a lot. Before I found ETC, with my panic attacks, I could not even go out in public, or into a grocery store, or even pay for my petrol without needing a family member there to talk for me, I was so anxious I could not leave home without support. Now I can do all of these things!” said Maddacen.
While Maddecen is content with her current situation, she remains open to future opportunities for further study and career advancement, confident that ETC will continue to support her journey.
“I am truly content with where I am right now. For the first time, I have the much-needed structure in my life that I never had before. While I’m unsure of what the future holds, what I have at this moment is more than enough.”
“Maybe when I gain even more confidence and feel ready, I might explore other study and work options. I am reassured knowing that ETC will be there for me no matter what, which is fantastic!”
Maddacen’s story is proof to the transformative power of dedicated support and the right employment opportunities. Her success highlights the importance of personalised assistance in overcoming barriers and achieving long-term employment. Well done, Maddacen!
Learn how to register for ETC’s DES Program >
Call our friendly DES team on 1800 007 400 or fill out the Enquire Now form on this page.
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