Leila, Molly and Tim became strong friends after a stay at The Disability Trust’s respite house a couple of years ago. Molly and Tim knew each other from school and Leila quickly developed a bond with them.
The friendship really took off during a holiday to The Disability Trusts “Lorralyn house” at Sanctuary Point, and it seemed natural that a more permanent living arrangement should be investigated. They got along so well that Molly decided that they should definitely all move out of home together – much to their parent’s surprise!
So this is where the conversations begun. The parents got together and decided that this was a wonderful idea, so they contacted the Disability Trust and asked us how to proceed. After several meetings with the NDIS everyone was overjoyed when we received the news that the NDIS would support Tim, Molly and Leila to achieve their goal of living independently.
With the excitement building and a suitable house found in December 2017, we quickly worked together to help purchase furniture and other special touches to help make the house a home.
Molly was the first to move in announcing to her mother, “I shall see you in May”, closely followed by Leila with her loft bed. Then Tim took his turn to move in, with the girls graciously giving him the bedroom with the en-suite “because boys need their own space” stated Molly.
It was an enormous step for all of them, never having lived away from home for any length of time, but their genuine respect and friendship for each other has shone through and eased the passage. It is in the little things, a kind remark, a gesture, a helping hand and good humour that makes their friendship and their achievements so special.
Staff members have also embraced this new home and the residents, with one saying “it doesn’t feel like I’m going to work”. That is not to say that we haven’t had a few teething issues, but it is evident in the planning of meals, in the talk of dinner parties and weekend activities, organising a birthday party and a dog walking enterprise, that this is much more than 3 people sharing a house, it is a home in the truest sense of the word.
