Living Life Loud - Meet Christine!

Christine

Meet Christine!

63 years young, vivacious Christine joined MAP in Support Independent Living earlier this year after more than two years with us as a community client.

Born and raised in Kapunda, Chris married a local man. They lived together on a farm in Steelton where they raised their children, before eventually selling the farm and moving back to Kapunda.

“Tony and I have been blessed with two beautiful children,” Chris says. She also has three wonderful grandchildren who bring great joy to her life.

Loving musicals, especially older ones like South Pacific and Fiddler on the Roof, Christine also gets great pleasure from cooking – and she’s awesome at it! Enjoying cooking for others, she bakes fantastic scones. The accessibility of her new home in Gawler, a Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) house, allows Chris the freedom and independence to cook what she likes, when she likes. “I enjoy teaching staff, as well as learning new cooking techniques,” Chris says, sharing how she cooked tortillas this week. Christine and her support team also agree that she is the Pavlova Queen!

“Living in SIL has not stopped me doing what I want, and I still go out when I want to,” Chris continues. Attending ‘Barossa Blindies’ every month – a group of which Christine is a founding member and has been attending for over eight years – she delights in catching up with people, reminiscing and playing games, among a variety of other activities. Chris says, “‘No Mercy’ is the new game I have. I can’t wait to play with the staff – it’s a game of strategy and I’m really good with that!”

Before moving into SIL, Chris had support workers come to her home in Kapunda and says that things are very similar now. “Living in a SIL doesn’t stop you from living, it helps you to live a more supported and fulfilled life,” she reflects.

Empowered by her new home and reliable support network, Chris has set some personal goals, determined to achieve and continue living her best life. Set on standing independently by Christmas, Chris is supported by a diverse team dedicated to assisting her. She says, “Moving to the house has helped me attend to my needs better. Life is calm, fun, interesting, insightful, and I’ve met some wonderful people.”

Another focus for Christine is supporting her local community. With an idea to do some fundraising for a car to support clients across MAP’s SIL services in being more independent, Chris has bounced around ideas for a bake sale and making jewellery among other things that could support her in this goal.

We’re so thrilled to have Chris as part of our community and are excited to see where her journey leads! As Chris always says, “If it is to be, it is up to me.”