Michael and his support worker tackle the Great Vic Bike Ride together

Michael Curtis, was born with hereditary spastic paraplegia, which causes weakness and stiffness in the leg muscles. He didn’t know he had the disability until 10 years ago when he had a fall and fractured his spine.

Michael first met his support worker Kevin through his support coordinator. Kevin was originally employed by an agency, but he was unhappy with the lack of flexibility the agency offered, so  when he found out about Carer Solutions and their Direct Employ service, he encouraged Michael to look into it. Micael has been with Carer Solutions for over three years now.

Michael and Kevin share a love of bike riding, and Michael loved having the the freedom to employ Kevin to help him train for the five-day cycling event.

“Michael and I training for the Great Victorian Bike ride, running from Orbost through to Lakes Entrance and further down through Gippsland,” Kevin explains.

Michael and Kevin have been training together every Friday, which Michael says has not only been great for his physical health and preparing for the ride, but it’s also had a positive impact on his mental health.

“One impacts on the other – if my mental health is not good, then nothing else matters, nothing else happens.”

Michael says the ride wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Carer Solutions and their Direct Employ service.

“Carer Solutions provides flexibility for both Kevin and me. They do all the employment side of it for him, and it removes a lot of the barriers for me by being able to employ the person I want to support me.” he said.