Meet Shaun!
Vibrant and cheerful, thirty-seven-year-old Shaun has walked a winding path in exploring his independence, maintaining a sunny demeanour and determination. Focused on his goal of living in his own home with Supported Independent Living (SIL) services, Shaun has blossomed by developing skills to support himself, through discovering joy in activities, self-care and the love of his dog, Casper.
Transitioning to and from the family home
Having previously lived in a supported home, Shaun faced an unexpected redirection when the need arose for him to return to living with his mother, Coral. Neither Shaun nor Coral let this discourage them from working towards Shaun’s goal to live in his own home as he strives for independence.
Keen to return to Supported Independent Living, Shaun currently has weekly Short-Term Accommodation (STA) supports that empower him to develop and maintain the skills needed for independence, as well as allowing for a steady transition towards living apart from his family again. During his weekly stays, Shaun sets up his room, collects groceries and chooses tasks for each day. He adores being involved in activities, from swimming to shopping, from cooking to concerts. Utilising his NDIS supports for assistance with daily living and community access, Shaun has access to a wide array of opportunities.
Success through skill-building
Shaun has shown dedication to his independence goals through his willingness to learn new skills. With prompting, he completes many activities of daily living, utilising support workers to ensure his safety with more complex tasks. From learning to use household appliances to managing daily chores, Shaun’s eagerness to grow is infectious and he takes great joy in his accomplishments.
Another skill is confident decision making, and this is somewhere that Shaun thrives. Whether it’s selecting a fun outfit, choosing a movie to see or an activity for the day, Shaun has developed the ability to express his choices and confidently follow through on his decisions. Confidence is a vital skill for life, one which Shaun demonstrates admirably.
Coral says the best part about Shaun’s path to independence is “seeing my son living his best life, knowing he’s safe and happy.”
Our capacity to learn is never exhausted and Shaun shows this every day as he embraces learning, reinforces new skills and develops ways to self-support and manage various areas of his life.
An exciting future
Shaun loves to be home with his family as much as he cherishes the opportunities he has in his supported accommodation. Taking comfort in the company of his dog Casper, he relishes the love and cuddles she always provides.
As Shaun continues to explore stepping back into his own home, Coral says, “This is his journey, I’m so proud of him.”
What the end goal for Shaun looks like is a changing space, but one thing is certain – his steady determination and cheerful outlook are certain to carry him through all the stages involved in returning to a home of his own, and living independently his own way.