Disability worker lauded for her efforts

A disability support carer who divides her working time between Karratha and Roebourne has been acknowledged for her long-term service to regional and remote Pilbara communities at an industry awards ceremony.

Karratha and Roebourne resident and Lifestyle Solutions live-in carer Julie Carton was named the winner of the excellence in regional support award at the 2017 Disability Support Awards night in Perth last month.

Ms Carton has lived in the Pilbara for about 15 years and helps people with challenging behaviours in the two localities.

She previously spent years working in remote east Pilbara communities including Marble Bar, Nullagine, Warralong and Jigalong. She said she started working in the disability support sector after helping a friend’s young son living with a disability develop crucial skills, finding she could make a big difference.

“I think it’s important not to focus on the disability, and focus on what (people) can do,” she said.

NDS WA State manager Julie Waylen said the awards recognised the difference workers had on the lives of people with disability.