My journey to independent living hasn’t always been the easiest, but it’s the best decision I have ever made. It began in April 2016, when I moved into a unit within a housing complex for people with disability. I can still remember the emotional state I was in at the time of moving. It was a combination of excitement and enthusiasm coupled with fear and anxiety. Up until then, I hadn’t lived away from my family. My mum had been my only carer since birth, so the concept of living out of home with external support was foreign to me. Nevertheless, this move was something I knew I needed to start my independent life.
My first solo living space was in Frankston, Victoria. This was a comfortable first step in moving out of home. I had lived in or around Frankston my whole life, and my family was just a fifteen-minute drive away if I ever needed them. As far as first places go, this one was simply average. Nothing fantastic but nothing terrible, either.
The unit was set up like a large open room rather than your typical sectioned living space, so it felt more clinical than homey. The complex had 24/7 support, however, the residents had no control over who supported them in daily living. After more than four years living there, I felt the itch to move again. I wanted more control over who would be supporting me in my daily activities.
The hunt for my next place began, which led me to my current apartment in the Melbourne CBD. It was no easy feat to get here, though. It took hundreds of email exchanges, countless follow-up calls, and several applications over a year and a half to secure this place. While it’s not the first place I’ve been able to call home, it’s the first place that truly feels like it, and that feeling is priceless. In this space, I have autonomy over my supports, and I can rest assured knowing my daily life is set up how I want.
Living independently has shifted things significantly for me. Back at home, I was often restricted by what I could do. My primary carer, Mum, juggled a job on top of raising my younger sister, so time was often limited. These days, I can do as I please, and I can organise the supports to accompany me. If I wanted, I could go out into the city and come home at 2am, and not worry about impacting someone else’s schedule. It makes me feel just like any other 30-something-year-old person getting to enjoy this independent phase in their life.
While my journey of independent living is far from over, here’s what I’ve learnt from my experience thus far:
- Aim high, even if it seems impossible and people are telling you not to.
- Be persistent in your follow-ups, whether that be to housing organisations, the NDIS or government departments (I was relentless, and I know it helped).
- It is okay to change your mind about what you want. We’re constantly evolving and so do our wants/needs.
- Advocate for yourself (or have strong advocates around you) at every turn. People need to see that you know what you deserve.
The road to the liberation of people with disability is a long and winding one. While we have seen progression, there are still many steps to achieve complete accessibility and independence. For future years, I hope that we’re able to see more people with disability living the way that they want to live, with the supports they want to have. Keeping us in the conversation is fundamental, but making sure our voices are heard is the key.
Hireup is supporting people with disability to live independently through Individualised Living Options (ILO). Our dedicated team have years of experience and are here to provide advice and support through your ILO journey.
If you're thinking about living independently and want to explore your options, get in touch with our housing experts today.
