Goodwill is a seed from which greater things grow.
As one of our most loyal donors I would like to share this special story with you.

Nathan is an 18 year old country boy living on a wheat and sheep farm in western NSW with his mother, step
father and 2 younger brothers. Like all boys his age, he loves PlayStation, catching up with his friends and partying.

Nathan is an exceptional young man. When he was 5, he was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy - the worst form you can get.  His mum Michelle recalls “Nathan had plasters on his feet from 2 weeks old. When he went to pre-school we noticed that his development was very delayed and he wasn’t participating in activities like other children.”

Two years ago, Nathan was also diagnosed with a severe respiratory condition which nearly proved fatal. Nathan now depends on a machine every night to ensure he continues to breathe. Michelle needs to check on him about ten times during the evening. Nathan also suffers from severe arthritis, osteoporosis and scoliosis which can be very painful. All of these conditions are consequences of his illness for which there is no cure.

But Nathan never complains. He is a shining example of the House With No Steps (HWNS) philosophy,
focusing on his abilities rather than his disability.

House With No Steps nurtures people with disabilities to assist them to make the most of their abilities and
provides opportunities for them to thrive. Nathan is a very chatty person and blossoms in social situations.
Because of the daily challenges he faces, it is especially vital that Nathan has the opportunity to have fun and
socialise with others his own age.

Nathan regularly attends House With No Steps’ Respite Service and loves going there. “I look forward to
getting back to see my friends. I have fun with my friends. We do all sorts of things. We go to the movies and
shopping, go out for dinner and go for a drive in the new bus.”

Thanks to House With No Steps, Nathan gets to experience things that other young people just take for
granted. The Respite Service also means that Nathan’s parents get a much-needed break, to spend some
quality time with each other and with Nathan’s brothers.

Nathan has a selfless nature and when asked what his favourite thing about respite is he says, “Giving mum a
rest.”

Understandably, Nathan’s 18th birthday was a big deal for his family and friends. When the time came to organise the party Nathan was more focused on giving than receiving.  He told his parents, “I want to give money back for helping me.” Nathan is so appreciative of the support that he has received from House With No Steps that he wanted to ensure that other children with disabilities are fortunate enough to receive the kind of support he has over the years.

For Nathan’s party, the family decided to incorporate some fundraising auctions to raise money for the House With No Steps. Michelle is so delighted when she reports “Everyone in the community was so generous and gave something. That’s country people for you.” Nathan had a terrific time at the party and, like most 18 year old boys, reports even having a few too many “Cruisers”.

At HWNS we adopt a holistic approach and offer support and services to assist people with disabilities in many areas of their life.

Nathan will soon be able to take part in our Community Participation Program where he will be provided with
opportunities for work experience and further recreational activities.

House With No Steps offers a warm and inclusive community for every person with a disability. As a donor, you are a part of this community too. The support that you offer is fundamental to the wellbeing of our clients.

We have been providing support and opportunities to people with disabilities for nearly fifty years. We really
appreciate your ongoing commitment and assistance in making this possible, particularly in tough economic times when obtaining funding for our programs is a challenge. Please donate whatever you can to help us continue to support people with disabilities, like Nathan, in our community.

Click here to read Wendy's Story

Click here to read Peter's Story

 "Donate Now " www.hwns.com.au/donate