Overcoming Fears
Introduction
Typically, anyone moving away from the family home for the first time will have a few worries. This is no different for a person with disability, therefore it is important their concerns are heard and addressed.
It's often the fears of family members, supports, and professionals that present the most significant impediment to the person moving out. Families and others might be concerned about the impact of the person's disability, their physical and personal safety, or their perceived lack of 'readiness'.
Families and others might assume that congregated living arrangements (group homes) are safer options. Unfortunately, there is much evidence that living in such settings exposes the person to loneliness and abuse. This accommodation style often doesn't allow the person to make the most basic choices: where to live, with whom, and what their day will look like.
With thoughtful supports in place, any person with disability can successfully live in a place of their choosing. Keeping their vision for home at the forefront of their thinking can help the person to overcome challenges.
Key Points
-
With the right support, anyone with a disability can live in the community.
-
The person’s fears may be different to those of their family, supports, and professionals. All must be considered.
-
Don't let fears prevent the person from moving into a place of their own.
-
It is important to identify fears and challenges and see if you can work out ways to overcome them e.g. this can be done through teaching strategies, identifying safeguards, talking to others about how they overcome their fears.
-
Don't wait until you work out all the details. It's impossible to have everything addressed at the start.
-
Congregated living arrangements are not safer options.
Watch Videos
Luke's Story: Leading the Way
by Luke Cowan (Produced by Community Resource Unit)
Luke Cowan lives in his own home and is supported by family and paid workers to maintain his lifestyle. Luke is an active community member with many valued roles - he is a co-teacher, poet, photographer, son, brother, friend, footy fan and dog lover. He also uses faciltated communication. In this video, Luke's parents talk about coming to the realisation that they needed to support him to live in his own home so that he can live his own life.
Click on the Video to watch ->
Luke's Story: Leading the Way
by Luke Cowan (Produced by Community Resource Unit)
Luke Cowan lives in his own home and is supported by family and paid workers to maintain his lifestyle. Luke is an active community member with many valued roles - he is a co-teacher, poet, photographer, son, brother, friend, footy fan and dog lover. He also uses faciltated communication. In this video, Luke's parents talk about coming to the realisation that they needed to support him to live in his own home so that he can live his own life.
Click on the Video to watch ->
Luke's Story: Leading the Way
by Luke Cowan (Produced by Community Resource Unit)
Luke Cowan lives in his own home and is supported by family and paid workers to maintain his lifestyle. Luke is an active community member with many valued roles - he is a co-teacher, poet, photographer, son, brother, friend, footy fan and dog lover. He also uses faciltated communication. In this video, Luke's parents talk about coming to the realisation that they needed to support him to live in his own home so that he can live his own life.
Click on the Video to watch ->
Luke's Story: Leading the Way
by Luke Cowan (Produced by Community Resource Unit)
Luke Cowan lives in his own home and is supported by family and paid workers to maintain his lifestyle. Luke is an active community member with many valued roles - he is a co-teacher, poet, photographer, son, brother, friend, footy fan and dog lover. He also uses faciltated communication. In this video, Luke's parents talk about coming to the realisation that they needed to support him to live in his own home so that he can live his own life.
Click on the Video to watch ->
Listen
Brodie Moves Out
by Justine Hall
In Australia, 50% of young people live separately from their parents, and this includes people with disability. Moving out of home is one of life’s big changes. And change can be scary. This episode is about parents facing and working through fears about their family member with disability moving out of the family home, to live in their own place. You’ll meet Brodie McElroy, and his mum Justine Hall, and find out, from a parent’s perspective…What were Justine’s biggest fears about Brodie living out of home? How did she tackle these fears when he first moved out, and how does she deal with worries that come up now? What difference did Brodie moving out make to him? And to Justine and the rest of their family?
Read
Matthew's story - a home of my own
by Matthew and Cathy Slater
From year 12, Matthew, who has complex physical needs, wanted to move out of home into his own home. Matthew shares his experience and how he is loving his new found independence. Cathy, Matthew's mum discusses reimagining and overcoming her fears.
Exercises
My Home My Way Workbook
by NACBO
The My Home, My Way Workbook was developed to accompany the My Home, My Way webinars and workshops. It has a number of exercises that you can work through. On page 2, you will find an exercise about creating a vision
Useful Links
Myth Buster independent living
by European Network on Independent Living
The Myth Buster on independent living deals with some of the most common misconceptions about people with disability, independent living and personal assistance.