Adam’s fresh start in specialist disability accommodation

When Adam was admitted to hospital for suspected appendicitis nine years ago, little did he know what lay in wait after doctors discovered the real source of his symptoms. “There was an abscess the size of an orange wrapped around my spinal cord,” Adam says. “I was a qualified baker by trade, so I’d just put back problems down to that.”

He needed urgent surgery, and complications landed him twice in intensive care. Adam was also left with paraplegia and now uses a wheelchair.

From ‘sardine can’ to specialist housing

After his time in rehabilitation, Adam lived in a “sardine can.”

“It was not suitable for anyone in a wheelchair,” he says. “It was like a one-bedroom with a kitchenette. I could hardly get the wheelchair in and out.”

In June 2023, he moved into Healthscope Independence Services’ specialist disability accommodation (SDA) – a type of housing designed especially for people with very high support needs or significant functional challenges. The dwellings have features that help residents live more independently and better access supports.

Adam enjoys greater freedom and independence at his Geelong apartment, with support workers onsite at all times.

“I cook everything, prep everything. I do my own washing, which is accessible,” he says.

“If I have any trouble, I just ring up and generally a support worker is available. If not, you just wait 15, 20 minutes and they'll come and help you. They're really good.”

“And it's really safe,” he adds.

Building routines that work

While the transition to SDA was big for everyone, “I feel like Adam's really taken it in his stride,” says support worker Mackayla, who has worked with Adam since he moved in.

“He's got into a routine that works for him.”

That routine includes two days per week working in disability supported employment.

“Because of my baking skills, I was put on as a kitchenhand,” says Adam, who previously ran three award-winning bakeries with his wife. “I prep vegetables for Barwon Health, St John of God, a lot of the local restaurants.”

Three to four times a week, Adam visits his wife – who has dementia – at her aged care facility. He also visits his Dad once a month, cares for his cat and dog, and does his shopping.

Cars, catch-ups and coffee by the bay

In his spare time, Adam likes to see his friends.

“Generally, me and my mate catch up and go to car shows once a month.” He has also visited a mate’s pub in Bendigo.

His accommodation offers social opportunities too.

“There's free monthly get togethers, there's birthdays, we go down to the waterfront for a coffee or to the markets,” Adam says, stressing that there’s no pressure to join in.

“Everyone's cordial and we say hi to each other. If we want to catch up, they have a community website where you just say, ‘anyone up for a coffee this week?’ and people are open to respond. But we're not trying to be in everyone's pocket.”

Flexible support for a busy schedule

Adam receives 35 hours per week of support through Healthscope Independence Services. He gets support to take his wife out for coffee, walk his dog, and for household chores.

“If I need somebody to take the rubbish out or help with washing or help me if I'm not well enough to do it myself, they’re flexible,” Adam says.

Mackayla says Adam is one of their most independent residents.

“We support him to help take the load off,” she says. “It's just helping him to make the day better or easier.”

Adam says he has a good support team.

“The residential supervisor is very attentive. He listens and educates the support workers to understand different needs of the residents here.”

“You don’t have to explain your situation over and over again, which gets a bit frustrating and annoying when you're disabled. When it's consistent people all the time you build up a good rapport and good trust – and that's the biggest thing because you're trusting someone else with your needs and potentially your life.”

Finding his happy place

As for time out, “the waterfront's my go-to,” Adam says.

“If I'm not feeling well or with what's going on with me, I'm at the waterfront taking in the sea breeze, whether it's wet or cold or super-hot,” he says.

And while life is too busy to think much about the future, he dreams of spending more time by the bay.

“If I could live on a houseboat, I probably would,” Adam says.

“Just catch a fish here and there. You can just be moored on the side and have a ramp and go off on sidetracks and go into town. I reckon that'd be a good deal.”