Dr Steve

Steve Peterson is a 38-year-old doctor, and local city councillor living in Orange with his wife and two sons. In 2018, he had an accident while riding his bicycle to work at the Orange Emergency Department and became quadriplegic. He shares his story…

The freedom of self-management

Over the last six years, I’ve had quite the journey when it comes to managing my own care and Support Workers. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve found taking a more hands-on approach has given me the flexibility and control I need to live the life I want.

Initially, I struggled to maintain a consistent roster, and there were far too many days when my Support Workers wouldn’t show up. When I switched providers, that made all the difference, and now I manage a wide range of shifts myself, which means I directly coordinate with my Support Workers.

I’ve had a long-term relationship with icare who have been invaluable. They recommended that I connect with Living My Way and I’m really glad I did, as they have been incredibly helpful in ensuring I meet all the employment law obligations, and onboarding new carers. Their expertise has been a game-changer for me, as I don’t have a lot of experience in that realm.

I’ve found building interpersonal relationships with my Support Workers is key, and I try to be a good employer by giving them advance notice of any changes and discussing concerns right away. They appreciate that I have their back, and they go the extra mile for me, so it’s mutually beneficial.

For anyone thinking about taking a more active role in managing their own care, make sure you have the right skills, and mindset to be a responsible employer. Things like keeping on top of timesheets, approving hours, and ensuring your Support Workers are paid correctly are all important. It’s crucial to build a strong network of Support Workers and maintain open communication, and I’m proud of the progress and the relationships I’ve built.

I see my unique position as a doctor with a disability as an opportunity to contribute positively to the lives of others and advocate in my local community. I serve on the Board of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia, and working to bring a disability-focused gym to our regional town, and I’m passionate about these projects.

I want to inspire others to take a more active role in their own care, and use their experiences to make a difference in their local community.

“I see my unique position as a doctor with a disability as an opportunity to contribute positively to the lives of others and advocate in my local community.”

- Steve, Doctor, Advocate, City Councillor, icare Client

Steve and family

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Empowering people to get on with life.

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