telstra
runs a monthly playgroup, volunteers
and works as a guest speaker, and –
increasingly – spends time at home
“loving being by herself”.
“This newfound independence
has been incredible for her self-
esteem,” said key support worker,
Cindy Racolini.
“For the first time in 15 years,
Michelle has this wonderful pride of
having her own home, being able to
have visitors, looking after her own
life. She’s constantly smashing the
goals she sets!”
For Ann Newland, Telstra Smart
A place to call home
has provided the ultimate safety net
for their daughter.
“Without this technology, none
of this would have been possible,
Before Michelle Newland (pictured above) lived in truly smart but with Telstra Smart Home and its
the kitchen: first, to check what appointments she had on her services, we’re so much more
home, every morning began with a dreary series of trips to affiliated technologies and Platinum
Google Calendar; then to check which carer was coming; and confident about the steps in place for
then – usually on her third or fourth visit – to check the weather
to see what she should wear.
T
Michelle’s safety,” said Ann.
During the trial, the Telstra team
was able to connect Michelle’s
existing monitoring – cameras in the
oday, when Michelle gets Michelle to sleep independently for main rooms, doorbells that ring in
out of bed, a motion sensor the first time in 15 years. both houses – to the motion sensors
triggers her Telstra Smart
In 2002, Michelle, a bright and
in her bedroom and bathroom and
Home app, which activates Google vivacious 19-year-old student, sensors on the front and back doors,
Home to read out her calendar suffered a major asthma attack that which automatically send a text to
appointments for the day. She deprived her brain of oxygen for Ann if Michelle gets up in the night –
can also see what she’s having for 10 minutes and left her with severe and let her know when she’s returned
breakfast, tick off her exercises and physical disabilities, short-term safely to bed.
care routines, activate the radio, turn memory loss and amnesia.
up the heating, and ask for a read out
of the weather.
For Michelle’s mum Ann, it’s
62
Home with voice-enabled activation
With the untiring dedication
of parents Ann and Vic, however,
Michelle slowly relearned how to eat,
“The reassurance I get from those
notifications cannot be measured in
gold,” said Ann.
“Basically, I know Michelle is safe,
nothing short of miraculous. So walk and talk, and in 2016 was able and I can provide her with support when
miraculous, in fact, that after two years to move from her parents’ home to she needs it. It means we can both live
of sleeping in Michelle’s home to her own home next door. Never one independently in our own homes.”
support her, Ann will soon be returning to stay still, Michelle has also set up telstra.com.au/linksmarthome
to sleep in her own home, leaving a business making greeting cards, telstra.com.au/platinum
telstra
linkonline.com.au