From Adversity to Advocacy: A Support Worker’s Journey

At Support Worker Co., we believe in the power of lived experience. Sit back and have a read—this is a deep and powerful story, one worth every word. The journey of one of our incredible support workers is a testament to resilience, strength, and the impact of compassionate care.

“I want to share the remarkable journey of one of our youth workers, whose life story reflects resilience, strength, and the power of lived experience.

At just three weeks old, I was found in my birth mother’s care in a state of neglect. My father was intoxicated, and I had been left unfed and uncleaned. I was rushed to the hospital in New South Wales, where my survival was uncertain for the next six weeks. Once I was stable, I was placed in foster care. For the next ten years, I was placed in a foster family where drugs were a constant issue. A particularly painful memory was when police officers and my school principal came to pull me out of class in front of all my peers. I felt humiliated, my emotions boiling over with anger at being exposed like that in front of everyone.

From that point, I moved through nine different homes across New South Wales, the Gold Coast, and Rockhampton. Some placements were far from ideal: homes filled with the smell of pet urine, where dinner was a competition for who got to eat first, leaving some of us hungry for long stretches. At the age of 10, I was moved to Rockhampton to be closer to my biological siblings, but the connection with them was strained. I had learned to keep my belongings packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice, so when I finally settled with my last foster family for four years, I struggled to unpack. But despite everything, my foster carers didn’t give up on me.

With their support, I found my way. I began to succeed in school, join softball tournaments, get an after-school job, and build lasting friendships. One friendship, in particular, has lasted almost 20 years and is still a big part of my life today. While my childhood wasn’t easy, it shaped me into the person I am today. I’m now a mother of two, I own my home, have a loving husband, and am currently studying while working for a company where I feel supported.

At 19, I wasn’t sure what my future held. But looking back at my past and forward to what I could do, it became clear: I was meant to work in the very field that once lacked the support I desperately needed 23 years ago. Every day is a new beginning. I work through what happened the day before, process it, and move forward. This journey has given me the strength to help others, especially families who need the support I never received as a child. And that’s what drives me every single day in my work.”