Jacko thrives with NDIS support

AFTER losing his leg from surgery complications, former boilermaker John Jackson is not down and out. With support from Mission Australia, his backyard is now much more accessible, which has led to a new business

MALANDA local John Jackson, or Jacko as he likes to be called, has been able to launch a homebased business thanks to support from Mission Australia and the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

The former boilermaker, who has lived at Malanda for 20 years, lost his leg in 2015 after complications from operations on his ankle.

He has relied on a wheelchair or crutches ever since.

John’s disability left the 56year-old unable to work or carry out everyday, much-loved activities such as gardening in his extensive fruit and vegetable patch.

His backyard was paved, but the pavers were dangerous for someone in a wheelchair or trying to use crutches.

Since working with Mission Australia for the past few months, John’s quality of life has improved significantly.

Mission Australia’s NDIS local area co-ordinator arranged for an occupational therapist’s assessment, which allowed John to receive funding for home modifications.

This funding paid for the building of a concrete pad in his workshop.

Additionally, the outside path that had been lined with pavers has been replaced with smooth concrete.

“Pavers on crutches can be lethal, so this is much better,” John says.

The concrete pad in his workshop also means John can now pursue his home repair business without worrying about falls.

“It’s made it a lot easier for me to repair mowers in the shed,” he said.

Last year, Mission Australia opened its Mareeba Service Centre for delivery of the NDIS Local Area Co-ordination (LAC) and Early Childhood Early Intervention (ECEI) programs across the Far North Queensland region.

The ECEI program aims to assist children up to six years old with a disability or developmental delay.

The LAC program assists people from seven to 65 years with a permanent and significant disability to better For any repair work, contact Jacko on ph: 0409 588 545.

access support and connect with the community under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The NDIS provides Australians under the age of 65 with a permanent and significant disability the supports they need to live more independently and to increase their social and economic participation. Mission Australia is the National Disability Insurance Agency’s partner in the community for Cairns and the surrounding region, with offices operating in Cairns, Innisfail, Mossman, Mareeba, and Yarrabah. These encompass local government areas such as Yarrabah, Cassowary Coast, Douglas and Mareeba shires, and Tablelands Regional Council. As his home business is John’s only form of income, he’d like to encourage locals to consider his services if they need a lawnmower repaired, or steel fabrication work. BACK IN BUSINESS: Malanda local John Jackson has launched a home-based business thanks to support from the NDIS.