2019-Wesley-Mission-Annual-Report - Flipbook - Page 17
A personalised
response to a
family in crisis
At 17, Jack, who has severe
autism, could no longer be
supported at home with his family.
But he was too young to live in
an adult disability group home.
His mother, Elena, says she’ll be
forever grateful to Wesley Mission
for creating a safe, comfortable
home for Jack and supporting her
family in a time of crisis.
Jack’s spacious bedroom is sparse, but it’s
equipped with all his favourite things. He has two
iPods full of videos and music, so there’s always
one charged and ready. The walls are decorated
with artworks from Toy Story and Shrek—his two
favourite movies. And as we wait for him to return
home from his day program, Jack’s mum, Elena,
straightens up his Mickey Mouse bed cover.
“Jack doesn’t need fancy,” Elena says, “He’s got his
comfy bed… He’s got his TV and he’s got his
kitchen. He’s pretty easily pleased.”
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The home where Jack lives with his flatmate, a
young man aged 17 who also has autism, was
converted into supported disability accommodation
a little over a year ago when Elena contacted Wesley
Mission at a critical turning point for her family.
“Jack had a few biting incidents within a couple
weeks of each other and began running me down,
to the point of knocking me over and really fighting
me,” recalls Elena. “And then this behaviour
therapist, he had witnessed the last outburst where
Jack literally pushed him and my husband out of the
way to come and get to me, knocked me over and
was biting me.
“And that’s when he said, ‘It’s not safe at home
anymore… you can’t be alone with him anymore.”
Jack had been attending a Wesley Disability
Services respite program in Northmead. But Elena
had always struggled with the idea of him leaving
home permanently. “It’s hard to let go, because I
certainly knew a few other parents… who had
already had to put their children into care well before
they were 18. And I’d think, ‘How can they do that?’”
She thought, “Yeah, I’m going to have to do it one
day, but I’m not ready.”
“But I had my other children to consider,” Elena
said, describing the impact of Jack’s behaviour on
his brothers’ lives. “One also has autism and was
scared to be at home when Jack was having these
outbursts, and another one… he was suffering from
depression and anxiety, which was heightened by
Jack and his outbursts.”
Accommodation. I said, “Well, I know you’re closing
this house as respite. Is it possible you can open it
as accommodation for Jack?”
Wesley Mission worked with Elena to transform the
existing house into a supported disability home with
24/7 support staff. And while the NDIS doesn’t
usually allow funding for a single occupant, Jack’s
need was urgent. So Wesley Mission advocated on
his behalf and he accessed funding on the
guarantee that he would have a flatmate once he
was settled.
One year on, and the staff who work with Jack say
his behaviour is stabilising. Ray, Service Manager
for Jack’s home, says he’s looking forward to trying
new activities with Jack and building his
independence. “Jack’s journey, as a young man,
really is only just beginning. Now that he’s settled
into his accommodation setting, Jack will continue
to make progress with day–to–day self-care and
relationship building, as well as engage in more
interests and motivational goals.”
“It is very hard to not have Jack at home, but it is
easier to live with this decision when I know Jack is
in such good hands and so close to home so that I
can visit whenever I want,” Elena says.
“We are so thankful Jack continues to make
progress with his independence and behaviour, and
really hope to build up the time we spend with him
over the next year.”
Jack was 17 at the time, and not eligible to enter an
adult group home, and Elena was struggling to find
somewhere he could move into immediately.
“I knew the Northmead respite house was closing
down… And that’s when I contacted Catherine,
Client Engagement Manager for Wesley Disability
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