Michelle Garland

Building With Strength — From a place of lived experience

Michelle Garland, founder of Building With Strength (and meerkat enthusiast), combines her personal journey as both an NDIS participant and experienced educator to provide specialised support and consulting services within the NDIS landscape.

Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in 2004, Michelle has firsthand experience navigating the complexities of the system. As one of the first participants in the Illawarra region during the NDIS rollout in 2017, Michelle gained a unique, lived experience of the challenges and opportunities that come with the evolving scheme. This has equipped her with a deep understanding of the NDIS, enabling her to guide others in maximising their plans.

Through Building With Strength, Michelle offers two key services:

For Participants: Michelle offers tailored guidance, helping Participants make the most of their funding without the need for a Support Coordinator. From managing budgets to accessing services, Michelle ensures participants understand their options, feel empowered, and are able to navigate the NDIS with clarity and confidence, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life.
For Providers: Michelle works with NDIS providers, from independent support workers to large organisations. She helps them optimise their services, ensuring they meet NDIS guidelines while staying participant-focused. Whether assisting with documentation like service agreements or advising on best practices for working with NDIS participants, Michelle’s insights enable providers to enhance their service offerings and build strong, trusting relationships with the people they support.

With extensive qualifications in areas like Therapeutic Gardening, Permaculture, Mental Health, and Business, Michelle’s business is built on lived experience, delivering insights that enable both participants and providers to thrive within the NDIS.

Through workshops, consultations, and one-on-one support, Building With Strength is dedicated to empowering individuals with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions and achieve their goals.