Living Independently is Possible

HELPING PEOPLE WITH COMPLEX NEEDS TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY

RWP (Reside With

Progress) provides high quality supported living accommodation for people with support needs, such as learning disability or autism, or for those who have an acquired brain injury.

MARTIN, 44, lives in one of RWP’s properties in County Durham. He suffered a traumatic brain injury which had a devastating effect on his mental and physical wellbeing. With care and support from Accept Care he is now able to manage his finances and daily activities.

Martyn started out working as a dish washer in a high street restaurant chain and worked his way up to the position of Head Chef. In 2010, he was involved in a serious road traffic accident.

“I stepped off the bus and was knocked down by a car. I was in a coma for nine months and I ‘died’ three times. The accident left me with brain damage,” he explains. Serious injuries to his legs meant that Martyn had to undergo intensive physiotherapy and he was in a wheelchair for a while. “I got myself out of the wheelchair and now I have to use a walking stick”.

During his recovery, Martyn felt like his life had fallen apart: “I started drinking and taking drugs. I felt like my life was over”.

Before he was referred to RWP, Martyn was drinking heavily every day, and a stint in rehab didn’t help. He lived in a variety of hostels and care homes. “I’ve been pushed from pillar to post,” says Martyn. “I was in a hostel before I came here; it was awful with people breaking into my room and stealing my stuff. I was referred to this property and I moved in straight away”.

With the care given by support provider Accept Care, everything changed for Martyn. “This place has actually saved my life - it got me off the drink and drugs and I’ve been clean for three years now. It’s marvelous, I’ve had a wonderful experience. The staff are tremendous, they go out of their way to help me”. The turnaround in Martyn’s life has been inspirational. He says: “I’m like a new man. Thanks to the staff here I can now manage my medication, my finances and live independently. I do my own shopping and cooking”.

So what does the future hold for Martyn? “I’m looking for my own home now – I would love a two- bedroom bungalow. I’m feeling really positive!”

Accessible kitchen makeover

A recent kitchen renovation at a RWP property in Leeds had a big impact on James Martin and the people he shares his house with – they all have a learning disability and use wheelchairs. The kitchen renovation has included a lower level breakfast bar, so that it’s easily accessible for them. “James can now get into the kitchen and is keen to do activities like baking or cooking prep. Before the renovation we had to do things like this at the dining room table which isn’t ideal,” says Nick Howe, their service support leader from CIC.

In preparation for the new kitchen installation, everything was transferred to the adjacent sensory room including the fridge, which made life a little easier during the work. The new kitchen appliances are fully integrated and an electric hob bas been installed which is safer than a gas hob. The new modern kitchen was a big success. “It’s changed the whole dynamic of the house – it feels like a ‘Grand Design’ makeover!” says Nick. “All of the the people living here are in their senior years, and have had long spells living in institutions, so they deserve the home we’re making for them here.”

Now that restrictions are lifting, James and his housemates are able to enjoy days out again to the coast and trips to the cinemas and the bowling alley, supported by CIC staff. “We love going to Blackpool,” says Nick. “Lockdown was hard for us being inside. Having an old kitchen that the tenants couldn’t access didn’t help. It’s great that they can now use the space safely.” To find out more about RWP, visit residewithprogress.org.uk. RWP is part of Progress Housing Group, and is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of supported living accommodation.

Author: Reside With Progress Website: residewithprogress.org.uk Twitter: @RWP_SL Facebook: @ResideWithProgress LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/

residewithprogress/

Cardiff Independent Living Centre

Cardiff Independent Living Centre is the base for the Promoting Independence Occupational Therapy practice and has been developed as a training centre, showroom, and assessment facility on the outskirts of Cardiff city centre. We provide impartial advice and the opportunity to learn about the latest products and developments to Occupational Therapists and others.

OUR SERVICES

The mission of the Cardiff Independent Living Centre is simple: we are here to promote your independence through provision of training, goods and services to the highest standard possible, at the lowest price possible, providing you with that 100% satisfaction you deserve.

CONTACT US: (02921) 900 402

Training Courses

We organise training courses for Occupational Therapists throughout the year on a range of themes. Organisations can also book the Moving & Handling Training room to run their own training.

Showroom

At the Cardiff Independent Living Centre we have a range of equipment available to try (and also available to buy) so that you can ensure you have the best products to suit your (or your clients’) needs.

Sensory room

We have a sensory room with an H track ceiling hoist for clients to be hoisted to floor. Visitors must bring their own slings. The room can be hired by the hour, half or full-day Monday – Friday.

SURGERY ISN’T THE ONLY CHOICE FOR SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT

Chloe Sharland shares how a brace from DM Orthotics supported her journey through scoliosis and dance.

KEEN dancer Chloe Sharland, from Exeter, was eleven years old when her mum took her to the doctor because she didn’t think her daughter’s spine looked quite right. The GP somewhat bluntly agreed it was twisted and referred Chloe to a consultant who diagnosed Scoliosis. The consultant said “surgery was the only option and she should come back in six months’ time to see if it had progressed enough to have the operation.”

Scoliosis, according to the Scoliosis Association UK, is when the spine curves to the side. The spine can also have a twist in it, which then pulls the rib cage out of position. Scoliosis isn’t a disease, but is a condition that a person can be born with, or develop as a child, teen, or adult. In most cases the cause is unknown, but it can develop because of a neuromuscular condition, such as muscular dystrophy or cerebral palsy. The curve can happen anywhere along the spine, and can curve to the left or right.

Now 24, Chloe looks back on that traumatic time with understandable indignation, “there wasn’t any discussion – just an assumption that we’d do as we were told.” Chloe’s condition quickly got more painful, so she kept as active as possible and avoided lugging a bag at school. The consultant suggested that Chloe have the operation as soon as possible, but that didn’t feel right for Chloe. Instead, Chloe and her mum looked for alternatives. That included arranging an appointment with clinical specialist orthotist Martin Matthews so Chloe could be fitted for a Structural Scoliosis Suit. Martin is managing director of DM Orthotics, the company he founded. “Chloe’s spine had a 50-degree curve and a twisted rotation which made her a fairly complicated case,” he said. “Her love of ballet meant she needed to be very mobile, so we used a suit with specially designed panels. The aim was to reduce her pain and help improve her standing position so she could become more upright.” Whilst in her early teens, Chloe grew quickly – making her spinal curvature worse. She continued to be monitored by the hospital, while making progress that the consultant didn’t think was possible with conservative measures. “The suit made everything more bearable because it was helping my body combat gravity,” she said. “My body wanted to collapse, but the suit held me together. It helped me attend four lessons in a day rather than two and gave me that bit of extra energy to go to dance classes.” When she was 15, temporary paralysis in Chloe’s arms and legs necessitated a short time in a wheelchair and her curves worsened to 70-degrees. Since then progress has been slow, but constant, with a combination of treatment from the Rock Chiropractic Clinic in Exeter, her DMO® Suit and real determination. “I believe that managing my Scoliosis holistically is the best way forward,” she said. “I’m working part-time at the Rock clinic whilst studying for a degree in nutrition and know how important it is to invest in yourself. Patients come here every day to get better and time and time again I’ve seen the difference a positive mentality can make. We’re all free to make our own choices and surgery was never the right one for me. My Scoliosis will always be there, but I can function fully and it is barely visible now. Thanks to DM Orthotics and the Rock Chiropractic Clinic, I feel I have a future that’s no longer restricted by my condition.”

For more information about DMO® products, visit dmorthotics.com