Margaret Targets A Career

Margaret targets a career

Margaret, 58, of Newcastle, with long-standing spinal multiple sclerosis, has been assessed as medically unfit for employment.

She has recently had an arm operation and gave up the business course she had been studying as a result. She felt that the repetitive nature of typing, in particular, would prevent her from obtaining even part-time work.

She therefore, needed to reassess her career direction and employment opportunities.

In developing her NDIS plan, Margaret nominated the following goals:

• gain part-time employment
• increase social participation in a creative way
• improve skills
• maintain independent living.

The supports provided by the NDIS addressed independence included one hour per week of domestic assistance.

After initial discussion of Margaret’s interests, it was agreed to pursue her creative side. After several options were ruled out she settled upon floristry. She used to enjoy hours in the garden which she is now unable to do. She is familiar with the botanical names of many plants and, most importantly, floristry dovetailed into her employment goals.

An appropriate course was found which was held one day a week. Despite this being a long day (9am-5.30pm), she decided it was both reasonable and economical to study this way.

Extra supports available at the education institution were explained to her. These included tutorial support and exam modifications. These will assist her at times of absences, fatigue or lapses in concentration.

Her overall Local Area Coordinator (LAC) assistance developed into a three-tiered approach:

• enrolment in appropriate floristry training
• volunteer or work experience to support this training
• aiming for part-time work or a part-time business in floristry.

She would like to set up her own part-time work or business, assisting floristry outlets at peak times of the year.

Margaret may also qualify for the NEIS (New Enterprise Incentive Scheme) (link is external) scheme, where she would have mentoring and financial support for the initial year of her business.