On beautiful Coconut (Poruma) Island in the Torres Strait, Lewis Cook is growing a vegetable garden alongside his skills thanks to his My Pathway Disability Supports.
Earlier this year, we began offering disability supports in the Torres Strait, including on Coconut Island. Support Worker, Ivy has provided support to Lewis since March when she began working with us. Together they have grown Lewis’s skills, undertaking activities such as meal preparation, cooking, arts & craft, cleaning and other general household tasks.
We are assisting Lewis progress toward his NDIS plan goal of obtaining a job on the island. Improving skills around the home including cooking, cleaning and communication and growing his independence to the point where Lewis may achieve his long-term goal of moving into his own place on the mainland.
Through these supports, Lewis has been able to develop and build on a passion for cooking. He has compiled a recipe scrapbook and prepared numerous delicious meals for himself and his family with support from Ivy. He also is using these skills to grow his connections to the community, contributing to community events and sharing his cooking and yarning with others.
Lewis always admired his mother’s greenhouse so when his Aunty found a discarded dugout canoe on the beach, they decided it would make a great garden bed for his own garden. Lewis and Ivy cleared an area to position the canoe for optimal growing conditions and filled it with potting mix. Lewis has now planted radish, coriander, lettuce, turmeric, cabbage and bok choy.
Lewis and his Support Worker Ivy (right) positioned the canoe and filled it with potting mix to begin growing produce.
Lewis is passionate about his garden and ensures that he completes the daily tasks of watering and weeding to keep it maintained.
The time Lewis spends in the garden has also allowed him to grow his relationship skills and demonstrates his passion to support and connect with family and the community. Lewis is extremely proud of his garden and shows it off to the families passing by while he tends it. Lewis is often heard saying, “Look at my garden, you can come and have some of my veggies when they are ready”.
“Sharing is so important to Lewis, not only the food, but also yarning with his family, community and elders.” Lewis’s Support Worker Ivy Fauid said “He can’t wait to begin cooking with the produce he grows, allowing him to share these meals with his community too.”
With his newfound confidence and consistent growth, Lewis continues to develop his communication skills and independence. We look forward to seeing both he and his garden continuing to thrive.