NDIS Participants: Build Your Capacity, & Life Skills by Learning to

Grow Food & Independence

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Capacity Building & Life Skills Section

About The Program

Reasonable & Necessary Section

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Looking for a way to be more independent where you live?

Would You Like to Build Your Capacity and Learn How to Grow Some Food Easily in a Way That is at Your Pace?

Breaking down your goal of more independence into simple steps

Are you interested in:

Pet Fish

Gardening & Growing Your Own Food?

Then This Program Is For YOU...

Everyone has the RIGHT to healthy food. With the right support, I believe everyone can learn how to be more independent and grow some of their own food.

I know what it's like to look at something, and think you can't do it. That it's 'beyond' you.

"I don't have the capacity for this", "I don't know how" and "They don't get it".

You try to get help, support and it doesn't fit. They see your disability, not your ability. They see what you can't do, and you feel more helpless sinking deeper into despair.

They say it is "Simple and Easy", but they don't understand you can't keep pace with them. That you struggle in areas they simply don't see.

"There is no such thing as NORMAL" they say, but when you look at everyone around you, it's like you are looking at another world. Sure, 'normal' is relative and everyone has issues, sometimes we need a little more help to be at a 'normal' level.

You're Not Alone, and There Is A Way Forward

I always knew there was something 'wrong' with me, that I was 'different', but I appear 'normal' to most people.

They don't realise I have autism. I'm open about the PTSD, anxiety and depression, yet I hide the autism, until I can't.

Why am I telling you this?

Because from my own perspective, I GET what it feels like to experience DESPAIR at wanting to be normal, but it seems an impossible dream sometimes.

When I worked in Welfare I learned that we are all different.

We never experience things the same, and when we learn, we learn differently too.

A simple thing like having a small garden that many people have, can feel IMPOSSIBLE.

I certainly felt that way. BUT I don't now.

Gardening is meant to be 'easy' and 'calming', but not when your ability to cope with things is lower.

You know what you need, I don't need to tell you ~ I know this is a perfect solution for many situations, it is up to you to decide if it is for you.

I'm letting my autistic nature out (and it is a relief), to be open, blunt and straight forward.

There are two points important things I'd like you to understand

1. Everyone has the right to healthy food, and the healthiest food is what you can grow.

2. Every successful gardener, had to LEARN how to garden - you can too.

Sometimes people get so focused on our limitations, and they want us to build our capacity in certain ways (hopefully with our best interests at heart), that they forget about things that may be a bit easier to learn to do.

When we only have so much attention, 'other priorities' often come first.

This program was created so you can do it at your own pace, in your safe space, when you are read.

Gardening as a therapy for depression and anxiety

is well known these days.

However, gardening in the soil is not always possible for us.

If we rent the landlord may not approve
There is often a huge outlay of money that people don't mention
Ongoing costs if you live in small spaces
You may not be able to dig in the soil, get on your knees to do things, bend over or grip things with your hands
The weeding is a nightmare
So much work, for little results when you have a small space

You know, sometimes I ache so much that I can barely move. I look at my soil garden and it is too much for me.

Bending, moving, lifting, moving. I struggle so much with it.

This is one of the reasons Aquaponics works for me.

Once built, there is minimal work for me to do and I don't have to bend!

Click the green buttons below to go straight to these sections

Capacity Building & Life Skills Section

About The Program

Reasonable & Necessary Section

The Cost Info

Get Invoice

Credit Card Payment

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a way of growing fish and veggies, herbs or plants together in a soil-less environment.

We replicate how nature works and put it into a small, man-made structure.

We create an ecosystem in this structure, where we have fish in a fish tank, a growing area for the plants, and a special filter (that replicates nature) to convert the fish waste into useable fertiliser for the plants.

The fish provide fertiliser for the plants, and the plants filter the water for the fish in a man-made structure.

Watch this video for a short explanation (5min)

An aquaponics system that is off the ground, making it easier to maintain and help you to grow a few plants and get enjoyment from the fish

It can help you feel like you are in control of something, ease the intensity that is happening.

Building and maintaining a small aquaponics system helps you:

Helping with cognitive skills
Helping with Emotional Regulation
Helping with Concentration
Assisting to Develop Communication Skills
Helping with Problem-Solving Skills
Helping to gain/ Build Autonomy
Helping Increase Life Skills

Helping with Motor Skills
Helping with Fine Motor Skills
Helping with Dexterity
Helping with Ability to Sense Hand Movement Without Sight
Helping with Strengthening Grip

Increase your confidence

Increase your self-esteem

Helps to calm you down when things feel overwhelming

Helps to build your skills and capacity in daily living by learning to manage things, care for things and be consistent

Helps you to learn to grow your own food

Gives you a sense of satisfaction having awareness of the environment, of healthy living and not using chemicals

Some short videos helping you see how aquaponics can help as a form of Garden Therapy

(click on the Thumbnail)

Part 1: Flow & Flourish (5min)

Part 2: Emotional Regulation (6min)

Part 3: Darkness to Growth (Depression) (7min)

Part 4: Aqua

Resilience (PTSD) (7min)

Part 5: Sensory Harmony for Overwhelm & Autism (7min)

This will not be a good fit for everyone, we all experience our disabilities differently and you might need more help from a Support Worker

Is Aquaponics Right For You?

When my PTSD or anxiety gets too overwhelming, sitting by my aquaponics system, watching the fish, hearing the water flowing helps be to be able to breathe again.

It calms me down, and reconnects me to myself.

When my autistic senses are overstimulated, for me listening to the water flowing with my eyes closed helps to calm me.

Think about it now, if you are overwhelmed or over-stimulated, would listening to water calm you, or make you more overwhelmed or stimulated?

Thinking about it when you are calm, will help you identify if this is something that would be a good fit for you

Looking for the easiest and quickest route to organic produce in small spaces ?

INTRODUCING... Life Skills & Capacity Building Program

with Aquaponics

Your simple BLUEPRINT to successful growing.

Now Let's See Some Inspiring Things About Aquaponics!

Aquaponics is a man-made (or woman made) ecosystem in a smaller space. By replicating nature we are producing more healthy food, faster and sustainably.

In this system we have fish that provide constant fertiliser for the veggies, and the veggies filter the water for the fish.

All without soil, in a small space. We create a living ecosystem, and grow lots of food.

Here's What You Get....

Learn to build and care for YOUR Courtyard Aquaponics System

What you need
How to Build
Creating the Ecosytem
The Fish Part
The Veggie Part
Caring for your Aquaponics System
Beautiful fish to look at and relax with
The fish keeping tests you need

This means more healthy food for your and your family, in any space, any time.

Giving you back the taste of real, healthy food in your space. The smell of the herbs as you brush past them.
Getting the maximum amount of veggies growing in your small space
Using less water to grow healthy, luscious veggies that you didn't think was possible.
Knowing what is on, or not on your food.
Having the convenience of walking out into your courtyard, and getting food for dinner.
Saving money by growing what you love to eat, when you didn't think you'd be able to.
Not having to worry about weeding your veggie patch, or if you have watered it enough to grow your veggies or have you fertilised recently

To help you build a successful Courtyard Aquaponics System.... I added these BONUSES

#1. Simple Tools to Build Aquaponics System Section

When we are learning something new, that might also include needing to understand how to use a new tool. Just like driving a car, we had to learn how to check the water and oil, add petrol. It's easy when you know, but intimidating when you first see it.

For those who have never used any tools before, I show you the simple tools to build your aquaponics system and how they work.

#2. Water Quality & Disease Basics

Just like when you have a yearly check-up with your doctor and they want blood tests to see what is happening with you ~ this is their basic guide to your physical health.

Looking at the health of the water within an aquaponics system, (through the water quality) is a similar thing. You can maintain and often prevent issues by understanding where it is at.

#3. General Facebook Group for Help & Support

We all need support and a place we can go to get consistent help and answers to our questions. In wanting you to succeed, and while I hope I have answered all of your questions, there may be things that pop up that you want another opinion on, and our Facebook community is there for that.

#4. Participant Facebook Group for Help & Support

This group is perfect to get the answers and extra support that you feel that you need. The only silly question is the one unasked. A place where you don't have to feel self-conscious about limitations. A place were you can connect with other participants about an interest that you have in common.

If you want healthy, chemical free food for you and your family, this is the course for you.

Gardening in small spaces is so much easier, and cheaper now with your Simple Courtyard Aquaponics system

We seem to forget that as adults, we still need to learn things. As adults, we are expected to do something once and be good at it.

What happens?

We tend to fail and give up.

What if you can learn to build and maintain your own SUCCESSFUL and HEALTHY Courtyard Aquaponics System, without failure?

WITHOUT..... Wasted money, pesticides, uncertainty??

I've got you covered in this program. Step by step, everything you need.

Growing food, easily

What's Included

Your Blueprint to Build

Your Blueprint to Create the Ecosystem

Your Blueprint to Keeping it Running

Your Peace of mind knowing your veggies are HEALTHY (Priceless)

Bonuses

Group Community

Simple Tools Course

Water Quality & Disease Basics Course

Fish keeping tests and Water Pump

Price = $600

There will not be another opportunity to join this program again until March 2022 and it will be DOUBLE the price

I struggled for the longest time to grow food

I knew that there was a sustainable way of being able to grow healthy, pesticide free food easily, and in any space.

Honestly, after years of renting and the restrictions, it was so stressful that I thought about giving up this dream, this RIGHT to healthy food.

Hi, I'm Candy.... My journey started 15 years ago...

When I began to get sick from all the pesticides from the 'food' I was buying. I knew I needed to find a healthy alternative which would be easy and accessible. I was also driven by my dream of becoming self-sufficient and reducing my carbon footprint.

BUT I believed the only way to do this was to live on acreage or own my own large home. Both of these options were out of the question, so I had to find another way. We had to find a solution that would work in any small space, even if renting.

This is where I discovered the wonders of aquaponics!

I could see how it was the perfect solution and could not only change my life, but the lives of others and the planet too.

But the first time I tried it, it totally tanked and I almost gave up ~ I just didn't know, what I didn't know, which caused everything to die.

This is when I decided to delve deeper.

So I went to Tafe and Uni to learn everything I could about aquatic husbandry. I knew that if I could look after the fish, then everything else would look after itself.

By creating a sustainable ecosystem in this way, everything started to work.

I became passionate about sharing this new possibility. I had to help others achieve their right to sustainable, healthy food, regardless of space. Regardless of renting and landlords. I had to make it simple and understandable even for beginners.

This is what has led me to create - Simple Courtyard Aquaponics.

The first course of it’s kind that will show you how to easily and quickly have your system up and running even with no DIY experience.

I will take you by the hand and help you learn to build a thriving system in as little as 1 afternoon.

Hi, I'm Candy.... My journey started 15 years ago...

This is where I discovered the wonders of aquaponics!

I could see how it was the perfect solution and could not only change my life, but the lives of others and the planet too.

But the first time I tried it, it totally tanked and I almost gave up ~ I just didn't know, what I didn't know, which caused everything to die.

This is when I decided to delve deeper.

So I went to Tafe and Uni to learn everything I could about aquatic husbandry. I knew that if I could look after the fish, then everything else would look after itself.

By creating a sustainable ecosystem in this way, everything started to work.

This is what has led me to create - Simple Courtyard Aquaponics.

The first program of it’s kind that will show you how to easily and quickly have your system up and running even with no DIY experience.

I will take you by the hand and help you learn to build a thriving system in as little as 1 afternoon.

I always knew I was 'different'. I took everything literally, I didn't understand sarcasm, and I struggled with life. I didn't get diagnosed with autism until last year, but I always knew there were issues. PTSD, anxiety and depression I always knew. I had experienced extensive trauma, and what the story above doesn't talk about, is how severely I struggled.

How every day felt impossible to live. Something had to change in my life, and counselling wasn't working for me.

I discovered aquaponics, and for me it changed my life. I was able to find my flow within life, by connecting to the flow of the aquaponics system.

Over the years, it has helped me to increase my capacity. My ability to do things, and to live a healthy life. That is why I chose to offer it to participants.

To help you have more independence, learn and build skills, and hopefully help with your confidence.

Capacity Building & Life Skills Section

About The Program

Reasonable & Necessary Section

The Cost Info

Get Invoice

Credit Card Payment

Benefiting You

As everything with NDIS is based on aligning to your goals, here are some things that this online, self paced course will help you with regarding building your independence

Increasing Capacity Building

Develop skills to be able to live more independently (growing your own food)
This may help you develop skills for employment (fish care, routines, structures, responsibility, problem solving) if it is aligned with your goals
Improving life choices helping you learn how to have responsibility of gold fish and choosing healthy food options
Increase independence by learning how to grow healthy food at home

Support Worker Assistance

This is an online, self paced course that you can do with your support worker.

To get the most of of this course, you need to build the aquaponics system, with your worker if needed.

Once built, it is straight forward to maintain, and there will be maintenance instructions that a support worker can assist with if needed.

To build this small system, there are 2 hand power tools needed. A drill and a jigsaw. Any handman associated with garden maintenance can use these tools on your behalf if you don't have them and it wont take them long.Divider

Increasing Social Interaction

Develop skills and knowledge to increase your ability to interact socially with others (gardening groups for instance)
Our Facebook groups will help you with social engagement. Two groups, one for all paid courses with the wider public, and a specific Participants group to connect with others with similar interests and learn how to engage with a common interest)

What Makes This Easy For You To Learn New Skills

It's an online program that you can watch in your own time, your own safe space when you are in the right space.
It gently pushes you out of your comfort zone to learn something new, gain new skills, in a time and place that feels comfortable for you
You don't need to force yourself to function to fit in with someone else's time
You get to be active within the online Facebook group when you choose
It's self paced so you choose when you watch it and when you build it
With the help of your support worker, it is easy to maintain once built

Reasonable & Necessary

Does the program align with the NDIS goals of the participant?

This program is designed by a participant with lived experience with autism, PTSD, anxiety and depression, with the intention to help other participants achieve their NDIS and life goals.

Common goals have been focused on with the development of the program such as:

Development of daily living skills
Motor Skills
Executive function
Ability to follow instructions
Maintain attention for task completion
Independent living skills by growing food
Social interaction and connecting with others in the community

Value for Money

Unlike programs with set days/ times that may not suit when a participant is most functional, this self-paced, online program is available from the participants safe place, to do when they have the capacity to absorb the videos.

This makes it more valuable ~ as the participant chooses when they can be mentally present to learn.

This program provides lessons to practice skills ongoing in the home environment. It is ongoing value and learning to manage for the participant.

The program assists the participant to learn new skills, and increase their confidence in life.

This program covers everything A-Z in a simple to understand way to build and look after your aquaponics system. There is no guess work, just simple guidance.

For the Support Coordinator

Costs

The cost of the program including the fish keeping pack is $600. This cannot be separated.

This is like if you do a cooking workshop, most of the ingredients are included in the costs.

I cannot however include the actual parts of the aquaponics system, as it is not sustainable for you or me.

To help empower you, my hope is that you will be able to practice building your capacity by going to the hardware store with your support worker if needed, to get the parts needed, and the barrels and gravel used within the aquaponics system can be purchased second hand.

There is a video in the course identifying how to reduce costs to building, and second hand is one of those ways.

The parts to build this system second hand and at the hardware store should be approximately $100 ~ though this will depend on where you get things from.

Capacity Building & Life Skills Section

About The Program

Reasonable & Necessary Section

The Cost Info

Get Invoice

Credit Card Payment

Making This Happen

Step One: Complete the form to generate an invoice

Step 2: Submit invoice to Plan Manager or pay if self managed

Step 3: Once payment is received, you will get an email with immediate access to the program, and the fish keeping tests will be despatched to the address given

Payments

For self managed and plan managed participants

NDIA have specific ways to pay for workshops, which include dates, hours and codes. As our NDIA plans and goals are all different, so to are our plans. The code that it used needs to fit within your plan and budget.

Please enter the date and code you would like used that are related to your goals in the form

Possible Examples for the Program

Bucket

Description

Code

Rate

Core

Social & Economic Participant

Access Community Social & Rec Activity

04_104_0125_6_1

$60

Capacity Building

Increased Social & Community Participation

Skills Development & Training

09_009_0117_6_3

$60

Program charged according to these categories/ buckets for 10 hours at $60 per hour

For questions email: ask@theaquaponicslady.com

I know this can seem scary, but remember this is about giving you the opportunity is empower yourself. To increase your capacity and achieve a new level of independence. If you never try, you never grow.

Here's the button to go to the Form to get the invoice

Gardening in small spaces is so much easier, and cheaper now with your Simple Courtyard Aquaponics system

We seem to forget that as adults, we still need to learn things. As adults, we are expected to do something once and be good at it.

What happens?

We tend to fail and give up.

What Others Have Said ...

"I thought I was too old to garden.

Candy introduced me to a new way of gardening where I didn't have to bend, it was easy to care for and provided hours of entertainment watching the fish.

Even in my golden years, I could grow healthy food and the other residents enjoyed being able to watch the fish".

Marg R

"Who knew that even renting in this tiny unit that my partner and I could grow our own food.

Candy broke down into simple steps and taught us how to build and look after a small aquaponics system.

We had heard of aquaponics in our permaculture course, and as we only saw large aquaponics setups we didn't think it was possible.

Now, thanks to Candy making it easy, we have healthy vegetables growing in the tiny, cement area".

Rachel L

“I hate the smell of fish and was worried that this is what our food would taste like. After tasting the veg from Candy’s system we gave it a go.

There is such a difference in taste between the food grown in our little aquaponics system and the veg at the store.

It tastes real again. Like my grandma veg from the garden. You just don’t realise the taste difference with food now.

We are going bigger and never going back to the store veg”.

Alice L

The Program Runs For 90 Days

We Start

on the 30th of November 2021

There will be a kick off call to welcome you in

on the 30th November - 10 am NZT / 29th Nov - 4pm EST

The first live training & Q&A Session

will be on Tue 7th December - 10am NZT / Mon 6th December - 4pm EST

All trainings will be at the same time.

We will extend the program by 2 weeks to allow for a break during Christmas/New Year

The Program will finish on the 11th of March

All sessions will be recorded and the recording will be available in the membership area within 24 hrs of the call ending

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Does This Program Increase Capacity?

This online, self paced program helps to develop skills to be able to live more independently (growing your own food).

This may help you develop skills for employment (fish care, routines, structures, responsibility, problem solving, following instructions) if it is aligned with your goals.

Improving life choices helping you learn how to have responsibility of gold fish and choosing healthy food options.

Increase independence by learning how to grow healthy food at home

Is This An Activity A Support Worker Can Help With?

This is a perfect, ongoing activity that you can be doing with your support worker. From watching the videos together, taking notes, learning how to sustainably source the parts you need (Most can be got at a hardware store ~ reducing costs, Marketplace and a landscaper), building it, selecting fish, and caring for the fish and lpants. Harvesting the veggies.

How Does This Make Learning New Life Skills Easier?

It's an online program that you can watch in your own time, your own safe space when you are in the right space. It gently pushes you out of your comfort zone to learn something new, gain new skills, in a time and place that feels comfortable for you. You don't need to force yourself to function to fit in with someone else's time. You get to be active within the online Facebook group when you choose. It's self paced so you choose when you watch it and when you build it. With the help of your support worker, it is easy to maintain once built

How Is This Reasonable & Necessary?

The first question, is does the program align with the NDIS goals of the participant?

This program is designed by a participant with lived experience with autism, PTSD, anxiety and depression, with the intention to help other participants achieve their NDIS and life goals.

Common goals have been focused on with the development of the program such as:

Development of daily living skills

Increasing Motor Skills

Increasing Executive functioning

Ability to follow instructions

Maintain attention for task completion

Independent living skills by growing food

Social interaction and connecting with others in the community

Is This Program Value For Money?

Unlike programs with set days/ times that may not suit when a participant is most functional, this self-paced, online program is available from the participants safe place, to do when they have the capacity to absorb the videos.

This makes it more valuable ~ as the participant chooses when they can be mentally present to learn.

This program provides lessons to practice skills ongoing in the home environment.

It is ongoing value and learning to manage for the participant.

The program assists the participant to learn new skills, and increase their confidence in life.

This program covers everything A-Z in a simple to understand way to build and look after your aquaponics system. There is no guess work, just simple guidance.

What Are The Costs Of The Program?

The online program cost $610, which includes a fish keeping package that will be shipped to the participant.

The cost of building the aquaponics system can be covered in under $100 for parts, sourced with the help of a support workers.

What If There Is Trouble Building The Aquaponics System?

Any handyman or maintenance person will have the tools and can help to physically build the aquaponics system if needed. This should only take an hour for experienced people with tools.

What If There Are Problems/ Questions About The Program?

This is the purpose of the NDIS specific Facebook Group that participant will have access to. They can post anonymously if they want, and can ask questions about the building, running and care for the fish and veggies.

Capacity Building & Life Skills Section

About The Program

Reasonable & Necessary Section

The Cost Info

Get Invoice

Credit Card Payment

Learning to improve your life skills and capacity, gently...