When two Riverina businesspeople realised there was a gap in services for people with disabilities, they decided to start a new business to bring about change.
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While the pandemic shut down businesses and residents retreated into lockdown, Jodie Ryan and Michael O'Bree decided to take a leap and provide an alternative service to the traditional care method for people with disabilities.
And so, My Plan Connect was founded in Leeton.
Ms Ryan said they both have loved ones with disabilities and wanted to make sure that people like them could chase their hopes and dreams.
"There is so much appetite for this service," Ms Ryan said.
"We specialise in employment support, school leaver support and community access."
"It's not one-size-fits-all. We work with the family and the participants to help them with what they need."
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The business has been so successful, and it will now be expanding its operations to Wagga.
"We have been asked for the last six months when we are coming to Wagga," she said. "So we are very excited."
One of the main projects of My Plan Connect is to set up a "home away from home" adventure house in Leeton.
Support mentors can bring their clients along, Ms Ryan said, and then they have a full itinerary of fun activities.
Ms Ryan added that another big passion of her business is educating employers about how exciting and rewarding it is to employ someone living with a disability.
Cass Kennedy will be one of the new employees at the Wagga location.
Her role will be to help clients with whatever tasks they might need just a bit of help with, whether that's getting to appointments or whipping something up in the kitchen.
"I love helping families that need that extra bit of support with special needs," Ms Kennedy said.
"I have done swimming lessons with special needs children, and I wanted to evolve that. Then I met Jodie, and she has a great business, so I decided to jump on board."
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