My recount on what it was like being in lockdown with a disability

Following the latest SA Health advice, visitor restrictions have now been lifted at SACARE’s supported accommodations, which brings great news for its residents! Whilst the second lockdown in South Australia may not have been as long as what it was for our friends in Victoria, there was still about 4 weeks where residents were encouraged to minimise community outings where possible. Briarholm resident, Alice Waterman shared her experience on the COVID lockdowns this year.

I found that the hardest things about being in the lockdowns was that I couldn’t live a completely independent life nor go to my work at Blend Creative to see my friends as I had to work from home. To be honest, I wasn’t a huge fan on working from home because I felt like I was bored as I missed having my work colleagues around me.

Of course, I missed seeing my friends and my family as well and going on walks!

There were a few things that I was grateful for… my Netflix shows and my house mates, as we were able to play games together. I also listened to my audio books more which made me feel a lot better on days where I felt like everything was just too hard. I was also grateful for my support workers, Lauren and Susan who I could talk whenever I wanted a chat as well as well as my nurses.

I kept my mind happy by getting fresh air and going outside to have my lunch or to listen to my audio books. I would call my parents, my friends, as well and my sister and my brothers quite regularly which helped!

I recently made a herb garden so this kept me busy by watering my plants. I also played mobile games like my Harry Potter and Words with Friends. Whilst at times I was bored, I could always find something to do.

I am really looking forward to next year where I can hopefully go back to concerts and going to the Royal Adelaide Show. I missed it this year as I love seeing all the cool animals and doing the Yellow Brick Road and trying all of the different ice creams flavours (not to mention the flying pigs and showbags!).

Another thing I’m looking forward to doing more of next year is joining groups and tours in Adelaide. When it wasn’t lockdown, I went on a ghost tour in Adelaide and would love to do this again as I found it very interesting to learn about what happened in Adelaide in the old days.

But for the most part, I am looking forward to seeing how the world can go “back to normal” so I can go back to doing everything that I loved to do before the virus came into our lives.

Finally, I would like to say that I hope in 2021 everyone can have a wonderful year where only good things happen… hopefully the virus is under control and we don’t have to have another lockdown! As long as everyone does what they can do to stop the virus travelling around the world, then we’ll be ok. I wish for everyone to be able to see their families and friends… and I hope that pets from all over the world can enjoy walks with their owners outside freely.

If you’d like to learn more about how SACARE can help you live a great life, have a look at our services here.

He also attends weekly Immersion Therapy sessions with NDIS provider, Determined2 and the service helps him to keep him active and boost his confidence and self-esteem.

Mikkel says his quality of life has improved dramatically—all thanks to the NDIS and the support he receives living in his disability accessible new home, funded through his NDIS plan.

“I needed somewhere to go where I would have more help and it has been fantastic,” he said.

After joining the NDIS, Mikkel received Supported Independent Living (SIL) funding, and moved into Briarholm, a state-of the art supported disability accommodation in Kingswood, run by family-owned registered NDIS provider SACARE.

The home, like SACARE’s other disability accommodation, is built around an historic character home, decorated to create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and their families, who can visit at any time and hold family celebrations.

Mikkel has his own large room with en-suite and private courtyard, access to the kitchen whenever he wants and can take part in a range of social activities when he chooses.

Support workers provide 24/7 support for whatever Mikkel needs, and also take him out into the community—be it for a coffee, or a day at the football with friends.

“It’s been a real life changer for me,” he said. “Having the support and care of staff and making friends has improved the quality of my life dramatically.

“I try to do things for myself, but if you need help you just have to ask and there is someone always happy to help and to take you out into the community. It is like living in your own home as much as possible.”

Mikkel has made several friends at Briarholme and formed a special bond with close mate Dylan, who, like himself, lives with Huntington’s disease.

“We play a lot of cards, UNO or Monopoly in card form, we play those a lot,” he said. “Sometimes we have coffee or we watch the cricket or football together. It’s really nice to have someone to share those things with.”

After the COVID lockdown, Mikkel was one of the first participants back under water. SACARE and Determined2 worked closely together to ensure Mikkel’s medical certificate was up to date and he had the support he needed to resume the therapy quickly.

“Doing some of the Determined2 Immersion therapy has been really good for my confidence and my self-esteem. I like the sensation of being in the water and it helps me to be calm,” he said.