Welcome to the Expanding Worlds Podcast
Recent episodes
173 Independent Cooking – Our Successful Solution with Debra Caldow
In this episode, I’m talking about our approach to supporting our daughter to learn to cook for herself without the need for any support or supervision. Our solution involved discarding conventional cooking techniques that didn't work and looking for new options. In...
172 Why The Earlier We Start Transition Planning The Better with Julia Wright from Ken’s Krew
In this second part of my conversation with Julia Wright from Ken’s Krew, we discuss the importance of work experience in transition programs and the improvements that have taken place in these programs which are enabling more young people to be work-ready. She also...
171 Ken’s Krew Empowering Young People Through Employment with Julia Wright
In this episode, we learn about Ken’s Crew, an organization co-founded by parents through a partnership with Home Depot. Julia Wright from Ken’s Krew shares how they facilitate meaningful employment for young adults with additional needs
Our Focus
Young people with additional needs should have the opportunity to live independently in a way right for them. The podcast is about sharing stories and sharing solutions that enable parents and carers to support them on this path to greater independence.
Independence for most people consists of three things:
1) Having a Purpose for the day – usually paid employment, but possibly a place to go to make a contribution to the world.
2) Having the Daily Living skills for independence – being able to look after ourselves, cooking, shopping.
3) Having Relationships with family, friends and maybe even a partner one day.
There is also an additional consideration that serves as the foundation of all these – Financial. Like it or not money often dictates how we live our lives, and we need to confront the issue of how our children will survive financially when we are gone.
For more information visit redgiraffesolutions.com
All Episodes
170 Supporting Young People Into Work: Practical Tips with Mel Simmonds, from Hidden Gem Services
In this second part of a conversation with Mel Simmonds, from Hidden Gem Services, we focus on what we can do at home to help make the transition into paid work smoother for our young people. When they go into their first job,
169 Supporting Employment: How Job Coaches Make The Difference with Mel Simmonds from Hidden Gem Services
In this episode with Mel Simmonds from Hidden Gem Services, we dive into the world of job coaching, outlining the importance of support, understanding, and adaptability in creating successful employment options for young people
168 From Fear to Trust: My Bumpy Journey with Debra Caldow
In this episode, I share my journey of navigating parental fears and learning to trust my daughter's abilities. Despite her successful year in her job, my unspoken concerns about her future surfaced, impacting her more than I realized. This episode reflects on how...
