Champion of Choice: Lisa is a winner in my eyes!

Lisa Van Sitter has been a support worker at Alex Hills Learning and Lifestyle Centre for over three years and was helping in SIL (Supported Independent Living home), but now she is the Alex Hills manager. She says the favourite part of her job is “working with amazing people to find their strengths and help them grow and become as independent as they can be.”

I nominated Lisa for a National Disability Award, and in October she was named as one of three finalists in the excellence in Disability Support work category. Her nomination was very good, it beat over 400 other nominations in the same category.

Lisa said it was a great feeling to be nominated for an award.

I feel pretty amazing actually,” she said. “I really treasured to be recognised for the work I do as my job to me feels natural.

Lisa with Kirrily and Leanne at the awards

I wanted to nominate Lisa for the National Disability Award because I knew she had changed my life from when I first started at Alex Hills Learning and Lifestyle Centre to now.

Lisa’s work has not only changed my life but also my parent’s lives too. My parents have always been concerned about leaving me on my own for any period because they would worry I would get sick or have a fall. My parents were never sure how I could reach my own goal of wanting to live independently one day. With Lisa’s help, it looks possible that I can reach the goal of wanting to live independently, and my parents are not worrying so much now.

Lisa says she feels great helping me reach my goals. She told me:

I am overjoyed about how far you have come, and as much as I would love to take some credit for your success, you did most of the work Chloe. I just did some guiding.

“I am so proud of you and since the day I meet you I knew you could reach the stars.”

Thanks Lisa! Good luck for the National Disability Awards!