Will

I lived at home with my family until the age of sixteen, at this time I moved into a group home. The group home environment didn't suit my personality. I found it difficult to connect emotionally and intellectually with the other people who lived there. This motivated me to begin my own journey to live independently.

I could not afford 24-hour support with the disability package I was on and the service I was with at the time, so I had to get creative and think of a way to work around this. I came up with the idea of having a number of different support workers on a roster, doing 24-hour block shifts. This works well for me as I am able to choose my own staff, meaning I can choose the people I want in my life and who will encourage me and help me achieve my own goals. This is different to traditional services, as they choose the workers and you have no say. I have found that many of these workers are limited to thinking by policy and can’t think outside of the box.

My family have been supportive and helped me to get all the processes in place to manage payroll and accounts etc. but once all that was organised the rest is relatively easy. To assist with this, I attended a couple of workshops on managing funds and things like that and Bespoke Lifestyle in Brisbane have also helped me become more self-directed.

 I have invested in a van with an electronic ramp, which gives me freedom to go places I want. I recently got an assistance dog, which has been a massive positive influence on my life. She can do little tasks like open cupboard doors, pack away toys and pick up things that are on the ground and give them to me.

I rent a ground floor unit in Maroochydore that is within walking distance to shops. I have also installed an electronic front door that is activated by touch and card which gives me independence and a sense of safety if there was ever a fire. It was a lengthy process to get installed, but worth it in the end. The cost was covered by the Department of Housing.

Living on my own, with the help of my support workers, who I like to label as lifestyle facilitators, enables me develop strong relationships in the community and with my staff. I am free to do the things I want to do, when I want to do them and not be restricted by the policies of organisations. I am able to live a normal life. I would encourage others who are interested in becoming more independent and self-directed to think outside of the box and take a risk. It’s not as hard as everyone makes it out to be.

Views and experiences included on this site do not necessarily reflect the views of the Queensland Government or indicate a commitment to a particular course of action.