Stories & Achievements: Daniel’s Story
Daniel’s story: work hard, tan hard
When the working day is done Daniel loves to get down to the beach... any beach! You’ll seldom see him wearing a shirt. Dan’s proud of his tan. “I’ve got my own fur coat,” says Daniel! “I’m so brown and I never feel the cold!”
Where did you grow up Daniel?
I’ve always lived in the Swansea area, with mum and dad.
How did your brain injury occur?
In 1989 when I was 8 years old. I was playing football for Swansea Juniors. I ran out in front of a car. In hospital I had tubes up my nose and they cut my throat open for air tubes. I was in hospital for six months. I was in year three when the accident happened and I couldn’t continue with school. I’ve been in a wheelchair from then and my right leg is messed up.
Do you have family?
My dad is my carer. Rachel is my sister and Todd is my brother. They are nine and ten years older than me. I see my brother once a week because he doesn’t work on a Wednesday. Todd takes me to his house in town or we may go to the shops.
Do you remember when your support started?
Headstart began when I was 28. I’m 40 now. They’ve been good. My support workers are my friends.
Where did you begin working?
I like working because I want to get out of the house. At the beginning it was House with No Steps and then it became Aruma. I started when I was 18. I do whatever jobs they’ve got. It gives me satisfaction and I work every day. One of my jobs was to put clothes in packages to go to the hospital. Now I tie string onto safety tags. I can do a hundred a day. When we’re waiting for more work I read books. I like football books.
I once worked at Caves Beach pub collecting glasses with my chair. I’d get them from the tables and take them back to the bar. But I was fired for breaking too many glasses.
What do you like to do after work?
I like to got the beach and get a cold drink. I’m a beachie bloke and I don’t like wearing a shirt! I like going to the beaches – Nobbys, Merewether, Caves Beach. My favourite is Redhead.
Do you ever get in the water and go for a swim?
Yes sometimes. I’ve also got a pool at home.
What are some of your goals?
I would like to get around to see more football games, but without Dad. I’d like to go see games in Sydney and Wollongong. I only went to the last game of the year for the Knights with Dad. I saw St. George Dragons beat the Knights! I’ve gone for St. George ever since I was a young kid.
I watch the footy on Fox on TV. I enjoy that. I watch every minute of every game. I watch Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night and even Monday night.
What gets you motivated?
I like watching all the footy games! Cricket too. I like the Big Bash. I go for the Sydney Sixers. I record all the games and I have got 25 more hours of games to watch. If I want to watch them tomorrow I can.
You’ve just come out of COVID isolation, how did you feel?
I was stuck indoors all the time and I saw no people outside the house. It felt strange not going outside. I normally get some hot bread at the shops and couldn’t even do that. My Dad had COVID too so my brother did shopping for us. I felt blocked and sick in the nose, that was all. I feel happy to get out!
“Daniel’s contribution with his capabilities is amazing! I don’t like the word disability, I use ability even though he hasn’t got use of one hand really.”
“Daniel’s only got one side of his body working because of his injury. I’ve noticed heaps of improvement in Daniel because of this job. He enjoys it and I know that it’s good for him, even little things like his speech. It’s all part of him being around other people.”
“Dan is an avid Dragons supporter, and if he was to wear a shirt it would be a Dragons one. In fact he does have one on his chair right now.
Whenever I go and pick him up from work, the first thing he does - even sometimes before we step out the door – is he rips his shirt off. On a Tuesday we head to Nobbys breakwall. Dan loves it down there always has a good chat with the locals where many of them know him by name. Down at Merewether everyone recognizes him. We also go 10 pin bowling. Dan’s a pretty good bowler. Sometimes a bit ruthless as a bowler, but that’s allright! I’ve learned a few things from him, definitely.”
- Solomon, Headstart Support Worker (below)
