Hi my name is Peter Flaskas. I am 42 years old and I live at my family home. I have lived in our home in Wagga Wagga for 37 years with my mum.

I own my own car that is a Honda Odyssey and I have worked for Kurrajong Recyclers two days a week for the last 17 years.

My disability is myotonic dystrophy and sometimes it stops me doing things that I would like to do, but I do the best I can and Northcott are supporting me with that side of life and I am thankful for that.  

Let me tell you how Northcott supports me with my day-to-day living and how to work within the community. For the past three years I have been a member of Northcott’s Everyday Life Skills program in Wagga Wagga. I have learned a lot of things being part of the Life Skills program. We work together as a team at Life Skills and I do singing and dancing on a Tuesday as part of our karaoke group. I enjoy that very much because I love music and I have good company and we all have a great time.

The coordinator Amber is such a nice person and I am glad that she is running Life Skills. I also like going to bingo at the Rules Club on Wednesdays with Life Skills. It is so much fun! It’s a bonus if you win, but I am there for the social side of things.

I like that Northcott staff support me in any way they can and thanks to them my life is no longer boring. I also enjoy making cakes and cooking at Life Skills. The cakes I make are nice – if I do say so myself. Even people who have tried my cakes give them a 10 out of 10!

I like going into town when I first arrive at Life Skills, because I am one-on-one with a support worker and we can talk about a lot of things and even have a laugh and get a coffee. I also learn how to shop for bargains and how to spend my income wisely.                

I have also gone to Northcott respite for the last 10 years and I enjoy that because I am there with people who have disabilities like me. Being at respite gives mum a break and gives me time with my mates. The staff are so helpful and fun to spend time with. I go to respite once a month and I like it.

So you see Northcott has offered me a lot of things to make my life full and I know that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I like being at Life Skills and being a member of Northcott and I thank them for letting me be part of the team.

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