A Sliding Doors Story, Jack Gillespie: From Client to Valued SDA Services Employee

SDA Services is a passionate and proud organisation and is thrilled to be contributing to creating change in our industry and instilling a positive difference in the lives of people with disability. 

We are particularly privileged to be able to employ people with lived experience of disability in our organisation. It adds to the value we create as an organisation and makes our message authentic and relatable to our clients.

Recently, our marketing team sat down with 27-year-old Jack Gillespie, one of our Participant Interviewers who is a perfect example of how our organisation strives to be different. This is because he started out as a participant utilising our services and has since been employed by SDA Services, where his role in the team is to interview clients seeking SDA and to reflect on their circumstances, preferences, needs, and aspirations in a clear and detailed manner for our SDA reports.

Born with Cerebral Palsy - a physical disability caused by damage to the brain either during pregnancy or just after birth, Jack grew up in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast with his parents and older sister. Eventually, he moved to Brisbane to seek out a more independent lifestyle.

Jack’s disability means that he requires an electric wheelchair for everyday mobility and therefore, accessing SDA was crucial if he was to be able to live the independent lifestyle he desired.

The process of obtaining SDA was lengthy and began with Jack's referral to the SDA Services team, who assisted him by writing the initial application. Once the application was submitted to the NDIA, it took over six months for Jack to get a response. During this time, he regularly connected with SDA Services Principal Consultant and Founder Greg Barry, asking for advice and hoping that he would have an update from one of his many contacts in the SDA bubble. Summer Housing had given him a conditional offer pending SDA approval, but after six months had passed, they were forced to give Jack a two-week deadline.

In desperation, Jack wrote a letter to his local member initiating an NDIS review of his application. Two weeks later, he was finally approved for SDA. 

Jack’s home enables him to live the best and most independent life possible. Located near shops, public transport and other key community amenities, the SDA features of Jack’s home enable him to contribute, partially or completely, to all daily tasks. In particular, Jack describes the 24-hour support service known as “concierge support” as a life-changer because it enables him to address unexpected things or smaller tasks that usually take up to about 20 minutes. Jack attributes this service as one of the main reasons he is able to maintain his maximum independence while having peace of mind. 

Fast forward a year, and Jack found himself working for the organisation that once helped him obtain his independence. He once again experienced the support of SDA Services but was able to contribute to their work by engaging in the role of Participant Interviewer.

SDA Services has not only assisted Jack to live independently, but has also given him the opportunity to work and be recognised for his tertiary qualifications (Bachelor of Arts, Journalism and Creative Writing). Both of these factors were areas of great concern for Jack as somebody with a life-long disability. Now, he feels he has the foundations needed to pursue any goal that he has in the future.

Like with his application experience with SDA Services, Jack has found working with the organisation a refreshing and supportive process.

Jack has been able to work from home and has described the additional support he has received, such as the provision of assistive technology, as instrumental in ensuring his career success. The work culture at SDA Services, headed by CEO Amanda Dodds, is inclusive and supportive, with staff regularly checking in with one another to ensure they are comfortable, happy, and able to work effectively. Jack enjoys the fun and friendly nature of the team, and working together to perform better at every opportunity. 

For Jack, working at a purpose-driven organisation such as SDA Services is incredibly rewarding. Jack’s first-hand experience as a customer and going through the application process has given him perspective and appreciation for SDA Services' work. 

As a participant interviewer, Jack is given a very personal, often raw, view into people’s lives. This can be an uncomfortable and challenging process for some. As it is a very early step in the “SDA journey”, as well, people often can feel daunted as they come to realise (or already know) that it can be a lengthy process. In these cases, it is a comfort to have someone like Jack, who has experienced great delays and challenges with the same process and has successfully come out the other side. 

It is this lived experience that shapes the work of SDA Services and defines their “difference” in the industry.

These days, Jack is at his happiest when at his SDA home with his partner and his dog, Murphy, watching a Broncos game on TV with a couple of drinks and a meat pie. His home has meant that he can get to the kitchen, grab those drinks and heat up his pie with ease.

Jack’s personal and professional experience with SDA Services shows that with the right support, people with disability can live and work independently, meaning we can all truly experience the “ability” in every disability.