Mel started with Distinctive Options, Kyneton in February 2021 and is assisted twice a week to feed and help with the maintenance and upkeep of her horse and her home environment.
Mel is vision impaired and has asked Distinctive Options staff to specifically support with:
“I need someone to be my eyes for me and tell me where things are as well as transporting me to and from the stables.” Mel is very clear with her carer preferences, in this case having some experience with horses is her specific request for this support.
Support staff verbally prompt Mel with where the horse is, how close Mel is standing to Maggie, where the feed is positioned and whether there are any obstructions in her way.
Mel has said “I am so extremely grateful to the fact I have access to support workers to keep my rescue horse and to make sure that I have access to support workers to keep her and make sure that I am not trying to do things on my own which would be very scary. Having found a worker who knows about horses, I feel almost as though I have a friend there if things went wrong, having a worker who has the knowledge and has helped me think of questions I may have forgotten is very reassuring to know someone else understands and cares for the situation at hand.”
Distinctive Options staff are supporting Mel to seek guidance and make further connections in accessing a qualified horse trainer. Mel is hoping to continue gaining confidence in riding her horse safely, completing safe exercises with her horse and to endure building a strong connection with Maggie.
Mel also accesses Distinctive Options group supports on Thursday’s participating in the social fitness program, some activities the group engages in are: Yoga, basketball, football, swimming, play tennis, lawn bowls, billiards, various walking tracks, Tailored D.I.Y workouts, stretching and gratitude affirmations / mindfulness. When needed Mel brings her guide dog Penny along depending on the scheduled activity, Penny is always welcome in joining and brings a lot of smiles to the group.
Mel said “Being reunited with one of the friends I made through disability support at the council when we were children has been really good. It has just been wonderful to feel part of my community again”
Mel really enjoys staying active and looking after her health and well-being and is always engaged and contributing happily within the weekly activities.
We love Mel’s enthusiasm and she is a great advocate in speaking up and a very confident communicator. In October Mel commenced attending the Skills for life program with Kyneton Community House, supported by Distinctive Options. Mel has successfully completed her first aid course and the course is focusing on work place skills, resume writing, obtaining work placements in desired fields of interest as well as engaging in fundraising opportunities. Again Mel’s level of enthusiasm and creative input is really shining within this program.
Mel’s goal is to gain employment in reception or administration at a Vet or Medical Centre. Mel is very passionate in helping others and has a love for animals.
Mel is a social butterfly and really enjoys attending the group social nights, accessing local restaurants, comedy shows and any community events that are held and of interest to our group or Individualised Support participants.
We are delighted supporting Mel in helping to achieve her goals and assisting her with the maintenance of her horse Maggie. We look forward to seeing what outcomes Mel can accomplish in the future.