Dan currently has funding for his educational and life skills program through the Your Life-Your Choice initiative provided by the Department of Communities, Childs Safety and Disability Services.

Self-directed support is a funding approach that enables people with a diffability and their families to have greater choice and control over the diffability services they receive. It is a key part of the planned National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Find out more at http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/disability/key-projects/your-life-your-choice

Hi, my name is Dan and someone told me I’m 18. I believe them but don’t know how I got to be really old like that?

One of the cool things about me is that I have a twin brother Glen. It’s weird but he is the same age as me, exactly. Whatever!

I love catching trains, Queensland Rail train videos , V8 Supercars on Xbox, Wiggles and all types of planes. If I wasn't so scared of loud noises and heights then Virgin Blue would be my airline of choice.

Don’t tell Mum and Dad but I pretty much like all takeaway food, but luckily my Mum also cooks me some healthy food in between times. I love her and she is my favourite Mum by far.

Our family has two beautiful cats called Rosy and Emmy Lou who we all think get more attention from Mum than any of us, including Dad.

I feel safest when we are all together in our house. That’s when I feel least anxious. I love to be in familiar surroundings and with people I know. Lately I have been trying to be really brave and I’m getting to know more safe people and safe places. My new friends are Emma, Jacqui, Ken and Tim and I am learning heaps from them every week. I really enjoy my time with them.

I feel safest when we are all together in our house. That’s when I feel least anxious. I love to be in familiar surroundings and with people I know. Lately I have been trying to be really brave and I’m getting to know more safe people and safe places. My new friends are Emma, Jacqui, Ken and Tim and I am learning heaps from them every week. I really enjoy my time with them.

Mum and Dad say that now I have left Western Suburbs Special School there is a whole new world to explore for me. I’m just starting to get used to that idea.

When I am with my new friends I try so hard to do good work but sometimes a weird feeling comes over me and I get really anxious. They are great at helping me through this. The best part is no matter what happens during these times, everyone still loves me regardless. Phew!

I’d really like to read and write as well as other kids but I just can’t seem to get it all to work in my head. I have heard people talk about me and say something that sounded like eye, eye, or maybe just ii*. That’s cool though because I like being a pirate or a sailor on the seven seas. Aye Aye Captain! Oh yeh, also heard them talk about me being on something called the Auto Spectrum^ I think. I’m all for that one too as I love all things Cars, especially the movie.

So far I am enjoying my after school journey and my new friends. I love routine, so by now I am into the swing of things. Can’t wait to see what else I have ahead of me.

My Dad said to make sure I put some goals down for people so they know what I want from life. Honestly, doesn’t he know I am on the Auto Spectrum. Aye Aye Captain. Oh well, to make him happy I have listed 3 things below. I plan to:

1. Be happy
2. Have good manners
3. Perfect a strong handshake. (Dad calls it a Danshake)

Bye for now. Love from DanDaLion xxoo

 
Want to know more? Check out these links:

http://education.qld.gov.au/students/disabilities/adjustment/verification/ii.html

http://www.autismqld.com.au/page/3/What-is-Autism?

DanDaLion Friends is an organisation formed by the Bray family. Using the example of Dan’s life journey and interaction with the community, the organisation is looking to be a catalyst and inspiration for others like him. Our aim is to be an on line and on the ground resource that brings the community together. We are starting small, with limited resources, but thanks to the support of many, who are now part of the ever growing DanDaLion Friends community, we are making this organisation a reality.

Dan and many others like him don’t have a disability, they just have a different ability, and hence we have coined the word ‘diffability’.

We want DanDaLion Friends to celebrate and demonstrate the value that those with a diffability give to the community.

This organisation aims to build a support friendships community.

Leveraging information and connections through a central source.

Through our online forums we hope to support parents, caregivers and those with diffabilities. We want these forums to provide connection, information and meaningful conversations about this community sector. Some of the best information is always provided through parents and caregivers who have been there, done that, and are willing to share with their peers.

Through our Service Provider registration page we hope the support that is needed in all areas of the sector can be readily accessible, with regular updates.

Providing an environment that will grow friendships.

The concept of friendship within DanDaLion Friends is multilayered.

In Dan’s world it starts with Dan’s and our families’ friendship with his Development Coaches, and then like the released seeds of the DanDaLion, friendships spread out to those in the community that Dan regularly engages with. It is about the new friendships that have developed through getting this organisation up and running, and the strengthening of existing relationships.

At another level, connecting families who have common ground through the forums will undoubtedly result in many interactions and as we grow as an organisation we will see how the spreading seeds of this DanDaLion will develop into lasting friendships.

The concept of a community of friends supporting each other in any way they can is at our organisations core – hence the name DanDaLion Friends.

Sharing common ground; spreading the seeds of hope.

There is a community out there that is experiencing the same journey and the same issues that we are with Dan, only in varying degrees and circumstances.

We want to unite this community and give them a voice and connection point.

We want this community to start sharing information and contacts gained through experience so that the pathways are easier for those who are currently or about to undertake this journey.

Contributing back to the community, one person at a time.

Using our networks and limited resources we will seek to supplement/assist others engaging in funded self-directed programs like Dan.

As a start-up organisation we make no commitment to the who, what, when and how questions. It’s just too early in our development, and whilst we have a vision in place, we need to refine the process before we expand.

Creating events that bring this community together.

We are currently developing events that will seek to celebrate and demonstrate the value that people with a diffability contribute to their community.

It is our aim to make a focus of these events 'an inclusive community', and those with diffability just an integral part of the gathering.

We will release details of these events soon.