The case in summary: Martin Østland was unemployed and without education when he got to try out as a personal assistant. Martin quickly developed chemistry with his new boss, Daniel Maudal. He has a muscle disease that means he needs practical help. Now they travel the world to fulfill Daniel’s dreams and inspire others to do the same. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. Martin Østland (26) pushes Daniel Maudal (30) across the gravel area, up a steep ramp and into the bathroom. Then he looks for the razor from Daniel’s toiletry bag. – God forbid if the lines are not straight, Martin says concentratedly and tries to satisfy the boss’s demands. The boss, a sober southerner, needs help with most things of a practical nature. When Martin got the job as his assistant, life changed completely. Unemployed and without papers, Martin is at home with his parents on a colourful, maximalist small farm outside Kragerø. For the next couple of days, Daniel is also visiting. Here they will chill, eat mother’s food and maybe say hello to the new turkeys – all while Martin is at work. A couple of years ago, everyday life looked different. Martin was unemployed and felt that the days were boring and meaningless. By chance, he was asked to step in as a substitute for one of Daniel’s assistants. A full CV was not necessary. Daniel has a rare muscle disease that gradually weakens the muscles and cannot be cured. The two quickly developed chemistry – and suddenly he was a full-time assistant. Can’t find a job he’d rather have It’s now ten years since the right to BPA was introduced for people with long-term and great practical needs. Nevertheless, Martin feels that his profession is unknown. He himself is happy to have been introduced to this. – I have signed a lifetime contract. He won’t get rid of me, Martin guarantees. It is a rare commodity, because five large BPA suppliers news has spoken to say that replacement in the assistant group is a major challenge. – Being a BPA assistant is an unskilled job and is paid accordingly. At operators with a collective agreement, unskilled workers are paid relatively well. Nevertheless, it is a fact that there is higher turnover in unskilled occupations, says Jon Torp, division director at Humana. Although the challenge is great, several of the BPA suppliers say that the assistant profession has been given a slightly higher status and that they stand a little longer in their position than before. There are also on average twice as many applicants per advertised job last year compared to 2022. What is the deal with a personal assistant? From 1 January 2015, a right to user-directed personal assistance (BPA) was introduced for people under the age of 67 with a long-term and great need for practical assistance. The aim of a BPA is to give people with a great need for assistance greater freedom to manage their everyday lives themselves. It is the user himself who organizes and directs the work of the assistants. The municipality is responsible and they assess how much help the individual patient should receive. In Norway, 4,313 people have an active BPA decision (2023). That’s a record number. Source: Helsenorge.no and Regjeringen.no Built his life around his friend Daniel has become far more than a boss for Martin. Last autumn they moved into an apartment in Mandal together. A third friend and assistant, Anders Aase (32), also lives in the collective. – It is clear that challenges arise from time to time, but we are good at talking about it, Daniel thinks. Some of the challenges are created by the friends themselves. – I think it’s fun to break the norms with Daniel – achieve what others think is impossible, says Martin. So far they have gone mountain hiking, gone on a sailing trip and been on a road trip in Australia. They have received a lot of attention for the four-month-long drive. They call themselves Team Maudal. The aim is to demonstrate an arrangement that works well for both the person with a disability and the assistants. Martin and the other assistants have said they will do everything they can to fulfill Daniel’s dreams. And although Daniel’s lungs collapsed twice during the Australia trip, the trip consisted of ticking off a number of items on their bucket list. ROADTRIP: Here are the friends traveling in Australia. Photo: Simen Hinderaker CHECK: Now they can cross the Sydney Opera House off their bucket list. Photo: Simen Hinderaker FJELLGEITER: Martin and Anders carried Daniel up to the Pulpit. Photo: Espen Hatleskog SAILING: The gang celebrates Daniel’s 30th birthday on a sailboat in Albania. Photo: Privat This summer the plan is to break down barriers to travel in one’s own country. – Life would probably suck without you. When the apartment in Mandal becomes too boring and big stunts too demanding, they like to spend time with Martin’s family. Here, the toilet has armrests, the shower a chair, the stairs have a ramp and the kitchen is filled with sweet temptations. – It is easy to see where Martin’s care comes from. I feel at home here, says Daniel. Martin feels important because he sees the difference he makes. At the same time, he is clear that his job is just as important to him. – Working for Daniel has made my life one hundred percent better, guarantees Martin and turns to his friend. – Life would probably suck without you. Hello! Thank you for reading my case! Do you have thoughts about the case you have read or input for new cases? Feel free to send me an email! Published 18.06.2024, at 09.42 Updated 18.06.2024, at 16.04
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Martin is BPA for his best friend – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
