Ben has lived his whole life with a strong focus on things that are typical and equal to any other person. Ben completed his education alongside his siblings, worked in local government for 33 years until his retirement, and holds valued volunteer roles in his community.
Ben had continued to live in his family home with his mum Jill. When it was decided that the time was right for Ben to have his own home, the priority was for Ben to be as secure and independent as possible.
It took around 2 years for Ben and Jill to work through the planning for Ben’s home and to find a unit that suited his needs.
The main priority was living in close proximity to the community he was familiar with.
Ben was excited about having a blank slate and being able to set his home up just the way he wanted to, with his own furniture and treasured items to display.
Jill says that moving out of home was something they’d been preparing for Ben’s whole life. Ben was used to having responsibility for his own groceries and meals, washing and other household chores, so it was an easy adjustment to continue his role as a home maker in his own space.
A few years after Ben settled into his own home, Jill moved a further distance away to create more opportunities and support around Ben that are not dependent on her and in the long term, more sustainable.
