With the easing of restrictions, some participants have begun to set goals that involve getting out in the community and reconnecting with family and friends.
Long term Community Living resident, Cathy, set out two goals earlier this year: to celebrate her birthday with her sister and fellow residents, and to attend her niece’s wedding.
Celebrating her birthday was of great importance to Cathy.
Disability Support Worker, Zeel, worked with Cathy, her family, and her behavioural specialist to better understand how to help her not only celebrate but make her birthday special. Together they set out measurable and achievable tasks to achieve Cathy’s vision.
Zeel went on community outings with Cathy, to help select party decorations and to find a beautiful birthday dress, and, together with fellow support workers decorated and prepared the house to align with Cathy’s vision. As the photos show, it turned out perfect!
On the day Cathy was delighted with her choice of party decorations, the appearance of the house, and her birthday dress. She was able to celebrate the occasion with fellow residents and her sister Kerrie.
In the same month Cathy, with the help of her Disability Support Worker, Zeel, was able to attend her niece’s wedding in another dress she picked out herself. Zeel showed Cathy a variety of options online and Cathy advised Zeel which one she preferred to wear. With the company of Delwin, an OC Connections Community Living team leader, Cathy travelled to Lilydale to share the special occasion with her niece. The entire day was truly magical, but all the photo opportunities were Cathy’s highlight of the day.
This is a great example of how OC Connections works with participants and their closest supporters understand how we can support participants to reach their goals, do new things and celebrate all that is important to them. This forms part of our Co-Achieve model, which you can read more about by clicking the link below.
