Susu is achieving her goals with the right supports

“Without Northcott, my life would be totally different. I’d probably still be at home every day, not looking for jobs or learning how to cook or look after myself.”

Twenty-one-year-old Susu has a rare disability which causes weakness in her bones and stiffness in her joints. She struggles to walk long distances because her legs and feet are weak and she can’t dress herself or wash her hair. Despite the challenges her condition places on her, Susu is determined to one day move out of home, learn to drive and get a job. She is participating in Northcott’s Work & Study and Life Skills programs at our Northcott Casula to work towards achieving these goals.

“My condition limits me in what I can and can’t do,” she explains. “I struggle with my upper body. Most of the time, I can’t dress myself. I can’t even put my socks on because my hands are too weak.”

Susu has attended Northcott’s Work + Study program for three years – from the time she left high school. This year, her motivation to grow her independence was a driving force behind the introduction of a new Life Skills program in Casula.

Susu goes to Work + Study three times a week and Life Skills twice a week. “At Work + Study, everyday we learn about all different things to help with finding and keeping a job. We’ve learnt about interviews, how to dress for interviews and how to ask questions in interviews.

Susu says with Northcott’s support she is learning skills she wouldn’t otherwise be able to learn at home or by herself, giving her a great sense of self achievement and the confidence to work towards other goals for her future.

“I’m really proud of learning travel training. I’ve been told that I couldn’t do it, but I proved them wrong and I can do it. That was a really good feeling,” she says.

“I feel a lot more confident than when I was at school. I have come a long way ever since I started here, mental health wise, and physically. Thank you for supporting me. Thank you for everything that you have done for me since I’ve been here.”

Northcott offers Work & Study and Life Skills in many Northcott locations.