*Inspired by the heartfelt updates, stories, and beautiful images shared by Renae, owner of Havana Holistic Disability Support Services.*

At Sammi.K Support Services, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to explore, connect, and enjoy what life has to offer.

Brad is one of our incredible participants whose journey reminds us how powerful the right support can be.

Brad lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder, complete blindness and Epilepsy. These diagnoses present unique challenges, but they don’t define his capacity for joy, adventure, or discovery. With the right supports in place, Brad is able to get out into the community, connect with nature, and create moments that are not only meaningful but deeply sensory and fulfilling.

Living in regional Victoria, Brad often travels with his support workers to places like Bendigo or Shepparton with beautiful locations around an hour away that offer everything from heritage buildings to riverside walks and landscapes. These outings are more than just a change of scenery. They’re opportunities for Brad to engage his senses hearing the gentle movement of the Murray River, feeling the textures of nature trails, or enjoying the comfort of a good pub meal.

Behind every adventure is a team working together. Brad’s support workers are by his side every step of the way, helping him navigate each new environment safely and confidently. They understand his needs and celebrate his preferences whether it’s the joy of music, the texture of a stone wall, or the comfort of familiar voices in unfamiliar places.

Being Brad’s Support Coordinator, I have the privilege of working alongside his incredible circle of support, including his caring and devoted sister, Cass. Cass plays an important role in advocating for Brad and ensuring his life is filled with opportunity, comfort, and consistency. The connection between family, support workers, and providers is what makes these achievements possible and meaningful.

This kind of access wouldn’t be possible without the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Brad’s dedicated support network. Together, we ensure he has the funding, planning, and coordination needed to access specific supports. From transport to community access hours, and mealtime support to seizure management, every piece is important and when it all comes together, the result is more than support.

It’s freedom. It’s independence. It’s joy.

These are the achievements we celebrate. They may seem simple to some a drive to the next town, a walk by the river, a meal at the pub but for Brad, they are milestones of empowerment, inclusion, and meaningful living.