Independence for Michael

Michael.

When Michael moved into his own flat in Timaru, few people believed it would last. "Six months max," some said. That was two years ago.

Michael is still there – and he is thriving. Ask him what makes him feel the best about himself, and the answer comes easily. "I'm proud of my own house."

Michael is 52. He has a learning disability, and he can take longer than non-disabled people to speak. For most of his life that has meant being underestimated, spoken over, and told what he could not do. He has also experienced significant hardship, over many years.

Before he moved into his own flat, Michael was living in a cabin on family property, locked out of the main house from early evening with no access to a kitchen or bathroom.

Coordinator Gary.

"He's resilient – unfortunately because he's had to be," says Gary Smith, Michael's Coordinator at CCS Disability Action.

Gary has known Michael for four years – first as his Support Worker, now as his Coordinator. And the thing that changed everything was not a programme or a plan. Gary listened.

"Michael likes to talk," Gary says. "And I explained to him that I was there to listen. I said to him one day: 'I'm here for three hours. If it takes that long to tell me then so be it. I want to hear what you have to say'."

Three hours. Set aside, so that one man could finally be heard.

"Michael felt truly heard and valued – possibly for the first time in his life," Gary says. "It changed everything."

Michael’s cat Penny.

Michael keeps his home neat and tidy. He manages his own money – something he was previously denied – and he has a healthy savings account, set away for a rainy day. And he has a cat, Penny.

"He'd never been allowed to have a pet before – in fact he was told he couldn't afford one," Gary says. "Now he has a cat he adores and looks after very well."

His days are his own now: walks to Caroline Bay, gardening, hanging out the washing, and hot chips by the beach. He saved up and paid for a holiday to visit his sister in Invercargill. He set himself a goal of getting Sky TV, sat down with Gary to organise the paperwork, and got it – so he can watch more of the sport he loves.

"He often says, 'Thank you for everything you've done,'" Gary says. "And I reply with, 'Well, you're worth it.'"

Michael gardening.

Time. That is what is provided. Each of our Coordinators and Support Workers spends the time needed to sit with someone, listen properly, and stay alongside them long enough for things to change.

That time is getting harder to protect. Costs are rising for everyone, and disabled people and their whānau are feeling it hardest of all – on power bills, on food, on transport, on the everyday things that make an independent life possible. More people are coming to us, and too many of them arrive with people in their lives telling them what they cannot do.

You can make a difference. Your gift helps us to keep walking alongside someone. Your gift today helps us to be there for the next person waiting to be heard. Will you donate today?