James is 26 and has an intellectual disability, autism and schizophrenia. After a period of hospitalisation, he moved in with the Carvers (Emma, Shane, their son Buddy and Lizzie the dog), with whom he has now lived for seven years. James receives funding for an ILA that provides a stipend for the Carvers.
When James found out he was going to be living with the Carvers, one word described how he felt. “Happy,” he says.
The seven years that have since passed have been full of memorable moments together – paddle-boarding, camping trips, family birthdays, Easter egg hunts and Christmases.
For James, who grew up in an unstable family environment, feeling safe at home and having a second chance at a family experience have been life changing. He’s become a real member of the Carvers’ family and is affectionately known as Jimmy.
Jimmy lives with the Carvers full time in Perth. Emma and Shane assist Jimmy with cooking, laundry and helping him get to appointments. Through prompting, they also help him maintain a consistent personal care routine.
As they’ve gotten to know Jimmy, Emma and Shane have found hacks to help him feel more at home. Because Jimmy has trouble sensing hot and cold, Shane installed a thermostatic shower temperature control to make it easier for him to turn the water on at the right temperature. The Carvers also make sure they cool down Jimmy’s dinner before it reaches the table so the whole family can start eating at the same time.
“Instead of trying to change Jimmy’s behaviours, we have just adapted things around them. We do things in the background to make sure he’s safe,” Emma says.
Jimmy loves life and keeps himself very active, with regular visits to the gym, pool and spa at the local recreation centre, horse-riding and dancing, both at Zumba and the disco. His support workers, who support him for five hours a day, four days a week, help facilitate this routine – as well as the independence and network it enables.
“They’re really good at supporting Jimmy to maintain the friendships he’s built,” says Shane.
The stability of a happy and loving home life has done wonders for Jimmy’s anxiety and OCD. While previously, a change in routine would make Jimmy anxious and nervous, this has become less likely as time has gone on.
“There have been big changes, and other people have noticed them too,” Emma says.
Emma and Shane eased their way into hosting, initially providing respite and emergency support to other individuals. Emma’s parents were also part of a homeshare arrangement with three women with disability in the UK when Emma was growing up.
“It’s not the easiest thing to do, and it’s not for everyone,” they acknowledge. But at the same time, “It’s been a really good thing to do for us. It’s very rewarding to help somebody and change their lives for the better. And we’re still learning now.”