accommodation
and to figure out ways to help him,”
Amanda said.
Alex and his family started
working with House with No Steps’
early childhood specialists in 2007,
and Short-Term Accommodation and
Time to
recharge
Alex (pictured above)
has always dreamed of
becoming a palaeontologist.
However, until recently, he
didn’t believe something
that wonderful could really
happen to him.
Assistance (respite) was suggested to
give the family extra support.
“We initially hesitated – it was
hard to spend so much time doing
everything yourself and then hand it
A
over to somebody else,” Amanda said.
“House with No Steps’ respite
lex has both Autism care has been a life-changing thing
and Attention Deficit for all of us. With the support of staff,
Hyperactivity Disorder Alex has challenged himself. He’s
(ADHD). His mum, Amanda, said made new friends and enjoys taking
noises, lights and movement of part in group activities – all within a
everyday life can overwhelm him. safe and happy environment.
“Finding out Alex has Autism and
“With respite, my husband Sean and
ADHD was heartbreaking at first, I get time to be Sean and Amanda, not
but then it was such a relief to find just mum and dad. We can recharge.”
out what was causing his behaviour
www.hwns.com.au
Achieving goals
T
Mercy Connect
participants Chris
and Bradley with
coordinator Doug.
travel training and learned how to
Leader, Clinical Services, catch public transport on their own.
Caroline Cummins, said Mercy
“With supports in place, we had
Connect staff are skilled in working someone recently get their licence
with people who have complex health and is able to drive to work and get
and behavioural needs in a person- out and about when they want.
centred way.
“This is shown by the positive
“We’ve also had someone
transition from using a hoist to
progress seen by our participants using a transfer aid, which is a major
who are achieving their NDIS goals – physical milestone as they can
every day our participants achieve,” now do this by themselves without
range of accommodation Caroline said. needing a support worker.”
Orange and Narrabri to with challenging behaviours Suzanne.Hogan@mercyconnect.
is now engaging in the org.au or phone (02) 6043 3500 to
community, attending day discuss accommodation needs and to
program activities and enjoying learn more about the services Mercy
socialising with other people. Connect offers.
Mercy Connect provides a
options in Albury/Wodonga,
help people live more
independently, be part of
their community, develop
skills and make friends.
36
he organisation’s Executive
accommodation
“For example, a participant
“Another participant undertook
Contact Suzie Hogan via email
www.mercyconnect.org.au
linkonline.com.au