How the loss of a sibling sparked push for change
Growing up with a brother who required around-the-clock care gave Laura and Jordan O’Reilly unique insight into Australia’s disability support sector. They decided to change it for the better.
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Jordan O’Reilly, 34, Sydney, co-founder and CEO, Hireup
Can you describe your brother Shane?
Shane had a profound form of cerebral palsy, which meant he was in a wheelchair and had a moderate intellectual disability. But despite that, he was an amazing young man. He was so engaged in his own life and determined to live a good life.
What are your childhood memories of him?
One day, Shane decided he wanted to mow the lawn. He wouldn’t let it rest until he and my parents went out and found this old wheelchair, and they rigged up a system in the back yard. I like to think back to Shane gleefully mowing the lawn, pushing along the lawnmower with his knee block on his wheelchair.
What challenges did Shane encounter in his life that frustrated you?
My brother needed support getting out of bed and getting ready for the day, right through to going to bed at night and everything in between. The most frustrating thing about Shane’s experience was seeing great support workers from time to time. You could see what could be. The support workers who would vibe with him would open up his horizons and future. He’d expect the same person to turn up the next afternoon. But a stranger who wasn’t able to connect with Shane on a personal level would turn up, and it was just so disappointing.
When you started Hireup, what void did you think it needed to fill?
The experience of growing up with Shane enabled us to see the challenges of the traditional agency system, like not being in control of who was coming to provide support. I also was a support worker while studying occupational therapy, so I got to see the challenges on the support worker side of things. Those two experiences led my sister and me to sit down and think: What if we built a platform that would give people with disabilities choice and control over who was supporting them? And also give workers flexibility and autonomy in their own working lives?
What needs to change for people with disability in Australia?
We need to see long-term cultural change, including more acceptance of people with disabilities and their families and their right to participate in the community like everyone else. We need more people to make friends with people with disabilities and understand that perspective because disability is just a part of the human experience. We’re all one accident away from acquiring a disability. Anyone can be born at any time with a disability.
What do you think Shane would think about your decision to start Hireup?
He would’ve adored it. That’s the very, very sad thing. He was, in some ways, much more entrepreneurial and technically savvy than Laura or me. And sadly, he passed away in his sleep in 2011 before he got to see it. But if he was around, he would be the king of the castle. He’d be working in our technology and our product team.
Laura O’Reilly, 35, Sydney, co-founder, Hireup
Can you describe your brother Shane?
Shane was my younger brother. He was a bit of a nerd. He loved computers, cars and technology. Shane was curious, really funny, had an amazing memory, and would light up the room with funny one-liners.
What is the next biggest priority for Hireup?
Growth is our challenge. One of our strategic goals is to impact 25,000 people with disability over the next couple of years.
Do you think people with disability still face stigma and discrimination in Australia?
I think many people with disability would say that they do. As an able-bodied ally, our job is to hear that, take it seriously, and do what we can to fix it. I think society is slowly moving in the right direction, for sure. The NDIS is a good example. But there’s still lots to do, and our work isn’t done.
What has been your proudest moment on the Hireup journey so far?
Once, I was talking with a taxi driver, and he asked what I did. He said, “Oh, my wife works in the disability sector too. She works at an organisation called Hireup. I’m not sure if you’ve heard about it, but it’s amazing and has changed her life.” And that was just a really quiet moment of pride.
What is the most rewarding part of your work at Hireup?
When Shane left school, we wanted him to be able to work. We wanted him to be able to have support on his terms. We wanted him to be able to live independently. But none of those things were possible in 2009. And the cool thing is that many of those dreams are achievable today. Sometimes I stop and step back and realise that our work at Hireup would have made his life better. And knowing that there are thousands of other people that are benefiting from that, it’s really rewarding.
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