When Danial Flaxman first joined VERTO’s Disability Employment Services in Laurieton earlier this year, his goal was clear: find part-time work that would allow him to rebuild confidence and re-enter the workforce. But behind that straightforward goal was a story of resilience and determination.
Danial had lived with severe anxiety for many years and navigated the challenges of being neurodivergent. He had endured major life events, including recovering from a serious car accident and experiencing deeply personal loss, all of which made finding and sustaining work incredibly difficult. Yet, with over 25 years of experience in office management and bookkeeping, he carried with him a wealth of skills and knowledge, along with a quiet determination to create a better future.
So, when his Employment Consultant, Peter Rath, invited him to join our Digital Literacy course, Danial jumped at the opportunity.
“I saw a chance to meet like-minded people, break the daily routine, and maybe even help out in class,” he recalls.
What happened next surprised even him.
Through the course, and with the laptop provided by VERTO, Danial found the spark to finally pursue a long-held dream: starting his own bookkeeping and business consultancy. By the end of the program, he had a business name, a logo, a professional email, and the systems ready to start offering his services.
“I always thought I could do it, but I never had. Peter gave me the courage and opportunity to make it happen,” Danial said.
Today, Danial is combining his job search with study for a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping, building on his existing skills while learning new ones. While his long-term goal is to grow his business into a self-sustaining venture, his immediate focus is securing part-time work that will complement and strengthen his side project.
Peter continues to be a steady presence for Danial, supporting him with job applications, connecting him to local employers, suggesting training opportunities, and providing practical advice on balancing study with his health needs.
“Peter is consistently professional, encouraging me to push through difficulties with a positive, forward-thinking attitude. That’s like gold for people like me,” Danial said.
After spending months limited by transport constraints, Danial has regained his licence and is in the process of buying a car, a change that’s giving him more freedom to chase the right role.
For Danial, the journey isn’t over, but each step is bringing him closer to stability, independence, and the life he envisions.
“It feels good doing it for myself,” he said.
“This is my chance to build a better life, one day and one step at a time.”
For more information about the Disability Employment Services program, contact VERTO on 1300 483 786 or visit: https://www.verto.org.au/employment-services/disability-employment-services.
