David is a really positive person. Everyone likes him. He has a great sense of humour and always sees the bright side of life. Every day is a good day to David.

David has very little short term memory. He can recall his past up to the age of 22 but he can’t remember what happened yesterday. He could have lunch with you today and not remember ever meeting you tomorrow.

When he was 22 years old David was working as a mechanic. One day he was helping his boss to pump up a truck tyre when the phone rang. His boss went to answer it leaving David to continue. The tyre exploded with an unbelievable 300 pound pressure. 

The steel rim around the tyre smashed into the side of David’s head pushing him 20 feet across the room. The force was so great that when the rim hit the ceiling it put a 20 inch deep dent in the tin roof. His injuries were so severe that his boss thought David had died on the spot. He had suffered a compound fracture to the centre of his skull and his cheek.

Fortunately the paramedics kept him alive but David had slipped in to a coma. His injuries were so severe that there was no certainty that he would wake again. However, David is a true fighter and amazingly he pulled through, coming out of the coma 2 months later, on his 23rd birthday! David suffered severe damage to his brain, developed hemiplegia down the left side of his body and has had to undergo lots of plastic surgery on his face over the years.

It is these unexpected incidents that can change your life forever. These defining moments do not discriminate – they can happen to any of us at any time.

David’s mum, Jackie, says, “When something like this happens, of course life changes. You’ve just got to embrace it and get excited about the recovery and each new goal that is achieved.”

Fortunately, House with No Steps (HWNS) is here to help people like David and Jackie to walk the path of a new life with enthusiasm. At HWNS we focus on what David can do. Despite the disabilities he has acquired – he still has many abilities. We provide David with the opportunity to use his abilities and thrive in a supportive and safe environment.

David works in one of the HWNS plant nurseries and also attends a HWNS respite service. “House with No Steps provides a wonderful service for David and it is great for him to be around lots of people. He is a real people person”, says Jackie. “I feel comfortable that they look out for his best interests as much as I do.”

“David loves his work at the nursery and wouldn’t consider taking a day off, even if he had to”, says his boss Robyn. “He only works 2 days per week at the moment though his goal is to work more often.”

David would find it extremely difficult to find meaningful employment elsewhere. Because of his poor memory, he needs to be reminded continually throughout the day about what task he needs to complete.

Work gives David much more than a wage. Work gives David dignity, self esteem, a sense of independence and an opportunity to meet friends and have social interaction.

He is part of a community where friendship flourishes. David has a solid group of friends who genuinely care for and look out for him. Sometimes he forgets where he is going when he heads to morning tea and they all know to just help him along.

“I enjoy coming to work and seeing my mates. I even don’t mind getting the bus to work in the morning with the ankle biters [school kids]”, says David with a cheeky smile on his face.