When Paris first connected with Support & Connect, even ordering food over the phone felt overwhelming. Today, she’s working at a fitness centre, helping patients at a medical clinic, and confidently navigating her community. Her journey shows how the right support can unlock abilities you never knew you had.
For many young people living with disability, the gap between wanting to do something and feeling confident enough to try can feel impossible to cross. Social anxiety, uncertainty about the future, and a lack of opportunities can keep goals feeling out of reach. But Paris’s story proves that with consistent support, encouragement, and practical strategies, those goals can become everyday realities.
Life Before Mentoring: Staying Small
Before Paris started working with her mentor through Support & Connect, her world felt smaller than it needed to be. Like many young Australians living with disability, social anxiety made simple interactions, like talking to shop assistants or making phone calls feel insurmountable.
“I struggled quite a bit back then to talk to other people,” Paris shares. “I was always nervous.”
Day-to-day tasks that many of us take for granted like ordering takeaway, making appointments, even going shopping required enormous emotional energy. And while Paris had set goals for herself before, she didn’t have the support structure to turn those dreams into action.
Her mum noticed the difference support could make. Getting Paris out into the community more, helping her build communication skills, and managing her anxiety became key priorities. That’s when Support & Connect came into the picture.
Setting Goals That Actually Happen
One of the first things Paris and her mentor tackled together was goal setting. But this wasn’t about writing wishes on paper and hoping for the best, it was about creating a roadmap with real, achievable steps.
I’ve set goals before, even before having Support & Connect,” Paris explains. “But since I joined, I feel like they helped me do it faster.”
That’s the difference a mentor makes. It’s not that Paris lacked ambition or drive, she just needed someone to help break down big dreams into smaller, manageable actions. Whether it was getting her learner’s permit, ordering food independently, or preparing for work experience, each goal became a building block toward greater independence.
One of her earliest wins? Getting her learner’s licence.
“I managed to get my L’s, so that was a pretty big step,” Paris says proudly. “And my next is my P’s.”
Driving might seem like a simple milestone to some, but for someone who previously felt too nervous to even attempt it, getting behind the wheel represented a massive leap in confidence and capability.
The Power of Having Someone in Your Corner
So what makes mentoring work? For Paris, it’s about more than just ticking off tasks, it’s about having someone who believes in you, even when you don’t quite believe in yourself yet.
When asked how she’d describe her relationship with her mentor now, Paris doesn’t hesitate: “Amazing.”
Her mentor brings positivity and encouragement to every session, creating a safe space where Paris can try new things without fear of judgment. That consistent, positive reinforcement has been transformative.
“Gemma is always positive. Makes me positive,” Paris says.
This emotional support is just as important as the practical skills Paris has gained. Mentoring isn’t therapy, but it does provide something incredibly valuable: a reliable, supportive relationship focused entirely on your growth and wellbeing.
Paris feels comfortable sharing how her day went, talking through challenges, and even discussing “the drama” of everyday life. That kind of trust doesn’t happen overnight, it’s built through consistency, respect, and genuine care.
Practical Strategies That Stick
Beyond emotional support, Paris’s mentor equipped her with practical tools she still uses every day. One strategy that’s made a huge difference? Writing things down.
“We would write things down before doing different things, coming up with a plan,” Paris explains. “Like especially with ordering food, I write down a list of what to order, what I need to go to the shops for.”
This simple planning technique including preparing in advance, practicing what to say, making lists has helped Paris tackle situations that once felt overwhelming. Whether it’s calling to order takeaway, making a doctor’s appointment, or preparing for work, having a plan reduces anxiety and builds confidence.
These aren’t complex therapeutic interventions, they’re everyday strategies that work. And because Paris’s mentor took the time to introduce them gradually and practice them together, they’ve become second nature.
“The pre-planning, the practice-yeah,” Paris reflects. It’s made all the difference.
Real-World Wins: Work, Community, Independence
The proof of Paris’s progress isn’t just in how she feels, it’s in what she’s doing.
Paris now works as a cleaner at the Renmark Fitness Centre, a role she genuinely enjoys. She’s also completing work experience at a doctor’s clinic, helping with admin tasks and interacting with patients who need assistance.
“I definitely have gained the confidence to interact with people that need my help,” Paris says. “I feel like I’ve gained confidence by interacting with other people and being able to have positive conversations.”
These aren’t just jobs, they’re proof that Paris can show up, contribute, and thrive in real-world environments. And the skills she’s building are transferable. Every positive interaction, every task completed, every shift worked is building her resume and her self-belief.
Beyond work, Paris is also more active in her community. Shopping, ordering food, making appointments, all the things that used to trigger anxiety are now part of her normal routine.
“I think being able to be out in the community and be more social has helped me a lot,” she says. “Even when you talk to store clerks, you’re so good at it,” Paris’ mentor Gemma added.
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Paris isn’t done yet. She’s got her eyes set on several exciting goals:
- Getting her provisional licence and eventually saving up for her own car
- Learning to ride her bike (which she was planning to practice on the day of our interview)
- Continuing to build her work experience and explore career opportunities
“I feel like I’ve achieved quite a lot and I have set goals for what I want to do for my future,” Paris says. “Then I’ll set more goals after that once I’ve achieved those ones.”
That mindset of celebrating wins while keeping your eyes on the next challenge is the mark of someone who’s truly growing. Paris knows she’s capable now. She’s seen the evidence in her own life.
And when asked if she feels confident about what’s ahead, her answer is clear: she’s ready.
What Would Paris Tell Others?
At the end of our conversation, we asked Paris what she’d say to someone else thinking about getting a mentor.
“I think so,” she says simply. “Especially for those that need a lot of support and to be able to go out in the community like I did and be able to thrive.”
Paris and her Mum also wanted to add something important: “We are very appreciative of Gemma and her positive outlook on everything. We definitely appreciate her for all that she does for us.”
That gratitude speaks volumes. When support is done right and when it’s respectful, empowering, and genuinely person-centred, it changes lives.
Your Story Could Be Next
Paris’s journey is a powerful reminder that growth doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right support, it absolutely happens. If her story resonated with you or someone in your life, know that you’re not alone and there’s a team ready to walk beside you when you’re ready. You can learn more about Support & Connect’s Mentoring & Life Skill Development here.
