Services Our Way Western Sydney
Services Our Way, also known as SOW-Way, is an ADHC funded initiative, delivering a culturally inclusive support service for Aboriginal people with a disability, and their families. Services Our Way has pilot sites in Tamworth, Nowra and Western Sydney. Services Our Way aims to deliver tailor-made services in a culturally appropriate way with dignity and respect. Our approach, of working with the whole family to create better capacity for care and support of people with disability, is making waves. As John from Mount Druitt put it, "It's really standing things on its head - it's not how you fit with the service, it's how the service fits with you."
As the word spreads of the great work of Services Our Way, more and more Aboriginal families are wanting to get on board.
Fatmoon Studios teamed up with Services Our Way - Western Sydney to create a unique digital storytelling project. In their own words, families who have received Services Our Way tell how this model works and how it has changed their lives. In the words of Sherie, 'We've waited 16 years for this!". With dignity and honesty, Aboriginal people with family connections across Australia, now living in western Sydney, share their stories about how a little cultural understanding can go a long way.
As the word spreads of the great work of Services Our Way, more and more Aboriginal families are wanting to get on board.
Fatmoon Studios teamed up with Services Our Way - Western Sydney to create a unique digital storytelling project. In their own words, families who have received Services Our Way tell how this model works and how it has changed their lives. In the words of Sherie, 'We've waited 16 years for this!". With dignity and honesty, Aboriginal people with family connections across Australia, now living in western Sydney, share their stories about how a little cultural understanding can go a long way.
Shanna’s Story
Shanna Hermes is married to Justin and has 5 children. Her youngest child, Dolly, was born with Microcephaly which affects brain development. At 6 months she began having serious reflux, and was diagnosed with Pontocerebella Hyperplasia – a rare neuro-degenerative disorder chronic and life-limiting condition. With quiet dignity, Shanna describes how SOW ‘helped our family out of a very dark place’ with culturally appropriate support. She says ‘being Aboriginal allowed them to understand the sorry business associated with our family.’ Watch her story here |
John’s Story John Pracey has family from Brewarina and has lived in the west all his life. He suffered brain injury and memory loss and is a single father bringing up three children. He says of Services Our Way ‘it stands everything on its head’ when they came to meet with him ‘they talked with him about what ‘we need as a family unit.’ Watch his story here |
Cassie’s Story
Cassie is originally from Lithgow with Dhungutti, Gamilaroi and Wariadjiri heritage. She moved to Penrith to get more support for her son Lucas, who has Autism spectrum disorder and Global development delay. In her story she tells of her own post traumatic stress due to the impact of the stolen generation on her family. With the assistance of Services Our Way she is getting the support she needs to create a loving home and learn parenting skills that will help her support her family. Watch her story here |
Sherie’s Story
Originally from Bowraville, Sherie Barrett and her husband have moved interstate chasing support services for their 6 children. Sherie and all her children have a rare skin condition, known as EB, Sherie explains ‘they’re pretty much cotton wool babies’. Until SOW, her family had never had any support, ‘We’ve been waiting 16 years for this.’ Watch Sherie’s story here |