Prior to working for NSW agency PDCN, Sharon had never been in paid employment and was struggling with confidence issues but with an opportunity to work for PDCN, and with the encouragement and support of PDCN, Sharon has had one of the best years of her life.
Sharon says; “PCDN is an organisation that I am very proud to work for. A person with a disability wants to live an ordinary life and be amongst ordinary people. When I got my job with PDCN at the age of 56 it was like being given a new chance. My role as a community coordinator gives me a sense of purpose, gets me involved with the community and I get to meet people, build networks and assist people like myself to believe in their dreams. It has been a huge learning curve for me and one that has helped me grow as a person”
Since joining PDCN, Sharon has been asked to be a keynote speaker at various community events and launches, she has been asked and accepted to join the Board of Wollongong Community Gateway and to conduct a session on ‘enablement’ for TAFE students studying for Cert III and IV in Community. PDCN have been on this journey from day one with Sharon. She has become an integral part of the PDCN team and helps facilitate peer groups with fellow people living with disability on the South Coast.