Leonie is a participant with The Disability Trust who loves to get out on the open road to explore the area around Lake Macquarie.
A long-term resident in Supported Independent Living accommodation in the picturesque town of Bonnells Bay, she informed staff that she grew up with a passion of cars, inspired by her father.
The staff decided to incorporate this into her GOOD Plan – a person-centred planning framework and toolkit which provides Disability Support Workers at The Disability Trust with a range of tools and approaches to ensure our supports are firmly focused on helping participants achieve their goals.
Her Disability Support Worker Sandra and Team Leader Jayden recently surprised Leonie with a trip in a rented BMW convertible for a couple of hours.
“We found out about Leonie’s love of cars from when she was sitting with staff and myself one day and was talking about how when her and her dad grew up, she used to work on cars that he had at the home together for hours on end, and that’s where her love of cars really stemmed from,” Jayden explained.
“So from that, we thought that we could figure out a way of her to reignite that passion and get her to have a day out – go for a drive in something like a nice car.
“Hence why we decided to include that into her GOOD Plan and rent a car like this for the day.
“When we first told Leonie that we’d booked this car for the day for her, she was ecstatic.
“She she wanted photos of it, she wanted to know when she could pick it up, if we were keeping it forever. It was kind of a bit heartbreaking, we had to tell her that we only had it for the day, but now that she’s had an experience like this, it’s something we’ll definitely be looking to do for her again.”
They regularly take Leonie for drives as a way of getting out and about.
“We found that this is something she really enjoys and really helps her to be calm, be out in nature, not be so sedentary within the home, and also get to experience doing something that she loves and spending time with house staff,” Jayden explained.
“And for her, there’s always a treat in it, so that means we go through the Macca’s drive-thru and get her an ice cream, or we call into a café and have a coffee.”
Leonie has been at the SIL property for the past five years and takes an interest in looking after the younger members of the house.
“Leonie really takes the Mother Hen aspect of the home, and really lets staff know when other residents may not be doing what they’re supposed to be doing,” Jayden said with a laugh.
“But she also has a really kind and nurturing soul. When someone ever needs a hug or they’re sick and they need a tissue, Leonie’s always the first person there cheering them on, providing that support and making sure that they feel safe and calm.”
