Earlier this year, Lu and Gina met Ned, his housemates and his family to capture their experience living in an ‘individualised living option’ (ILO) homeshare arrangement.
Lu caught up with the housemates recently to see how it is all going.
It has been a few months since we met you and filmed your life in action, how has it been going since?
Ned – Wow it’s been a long time since we’ve met you. I have enjoyed hanging out with you guys [Duncan and Nic], we have been hanging out lots, laughing, joking, eating and watching tv shows together. I have been listening to lots of music and hanging out with all of my support workers. That’s the main thing I have been doing throughout the week.
Nic – I have been going well. I have enjoyed the time I have spent with the other guys since we filmed the footage. Although we have been quite busy lately, it has been great to get to know the guys and help each other.
Duncan – It has been going good, I feel like we are getting to know each other more, becoming more comfortable and really settling into a nice rhythm, despite the recent lockdown.
How did it feel sharing your experience?
Ned – I enjoyed sharing my experience. I liked doing it.
Nic – It felt great to be able to share our experience with other people that may be looking for similar situations to us. I hope that by sharing my experience I can help show people it is possible.
Duncan – It was an interesting experience, if not slightly daunting. However, it was great to be able to get the people from the Summer Foundation, who were super friendly and encouraging in their facilitating throughout the whole experience.
What do you hope others will learn from watching these clips?
Ned – That they can have their own house in a similar situation in the future if they want, too.
Nic – I hope others will learn that there are more living options for people living with a disability and their parents. No one should have to live with their parents or in a care facility for their whole lives. I also hope I can show young people how awesome it is to help others and the friendships you make along the way when doing so.
Duncan – I hope they will get an idea of our experience, which will help guide them in their decisions and opportunities for potential living arrangements.
Watch the clips on the Housing Hub website here.
Want to share your experience? Email peersupport@summerfoundation.org.au