Lockdown proved a rich time of discovery for Timothy Tay, a Uniting Local Area Coordination customer in their Western Sydney service area. For the 22-year-old, lockdown fired up his creativity – and the cooker! In November 2020 he launched his YouTube channel, Timmy’s Vegan Kitchen, where he shares plant-based recipes, gardening tips, singalongs and updates about his bunnies, Twinkle and Teenie.
Being a vlogger offers the opportunity “to inspire people, make them happy and teach them many things that they never knew that I could do,” says Tim, who creates and edits all his videos for his hundreds of subscribers from all over the world, from Thailand to the Ukraine.
The NDIS “has made a significant impact on Tim’s life and my family,” say his mum, Stella. Prior to Tim joining the Scheme in 2015, Stella pursued respite care that allowed her to carve out some time for herself, but “there were no definite goals placed for the progress and development of Tim’s growth,” she explains.
“We appreciate NDIS funding us to set up definite goals to work with various therapists and service providers to guide and support Tim to improve his daily living and relationships, expand his skills and abilities, and access the community,” she adds.
Stella appreciates the dedicated support of Tim’s Uniting Local Area Coordinator, Dragana, who “significantly impacts my family,” she shares. “She is very reliable and responsive to my enquiry whenever I need her.”
Uniting LAC is a Partner in the Community, delivering the NDIS in NSW. Being connected to appropriate supports means Tim can pursue his many and varied passions, including gardening.
Tim discovered his green thumb during lockdown and now has a flourishing indoor-plant garden, as well as a thriving vegetable patch where he grows silverbeet, pumpkins, and herbs.
With the right supports in place, Tim is free to live out loud. “I’m autistic and love it very much!” he exclaims. A big fan of Chloe Hayden and Billie Eilish, Timmy says discovering “the autism pride community” taught him to embrace his uniqueness.
Thanks to the NDIS, “Tim is more independent in communicating, cooking, public transport, speaking, and problem-solving,” sums up Stella. “He can produce his communication channels, such as Tim’s Vegan Kitchen on YouTube, dance and sing confidently, do gardening, care for his pet rabbits with responsibility, and live happily and meaningfully each day.”
Do you have questions about disability support, accessing the NDIS, or making the most of your plan? Contact Uniting LAC to learn more about how they can support you: https://lac.uniting.org/contact-us