How Support Coordination helps Michael live a full life

“Michael has advanced in leaps and bounds in the last couple of years, and that has a lot to do with Windermere.”

Seven years ago, Michael sustained a brain injury that altered his way of life and his ability to function independently. He carries out his everyday tasks and activities with the help of carers and uses a wheelchair at all times. As a result of the injury, Michael also has dystonia, a neurological disorder that causes repetitive movements and impaired speech that limits his ability to communicate.

Despite these many challenges, Michael continues to do the things he loves and maintains an active lifestyle. All Abilities Basketball, weight lifting and leg work at the gym, hydrotherapy, speech therapy and exercise physiotherapy are activities and engagements that fill Michael’s weekly calendar. Michael has also discovered a green thumb and maintains a Vegepod that produces a medley of vegetables.  

While having the right services and equipment allows Michael to maintain this active lifestyle, he accomplishes these tasks with the support of those around him including his mother Kristina who ensures he receives the care he needs.

Two years ago, Michael and Kristina turned to Windermere for Support Coordination services and since then, Michael has been able to improve many aspects of his life.

“Right away, his support coordinator Suzanne got in touch and made time to come out and meet us. She’s really hands-on and works hard to get what Michael needs,” says Kristina.

As and when needed, Suzanne engages with new support services for Michael, prepares paperwork for NDIS plan reviews, conducts research on any new equipment and coordinates with Occupational Therapists to assess equipment. These are among a host of services that Suzanne provides under Support Coordination.

Recently, Suzanne was able to help Michael acquire dynamic seating for his wheelchair. It alleviates friction caused by the repetitive dystonic movements and helps him move comfortably, enhancing his quality of life.

“Suzanne worked extensively with the Occupational Therapist to get the dynamic seating reviewed and approved for funding. The seating has been really good for Michael. He can now stretch if he needs to. Instead of being static, the seating moves with him,” says Kristina.

Similarly, a muscle mat for Michael’s gym has helped him raise himself up on his knees and marked a milestone achievement for him.

Suzanne also helped Michael have a higher railing installed for his bed to prevent him from falling off while sleeping. Without it, Michael would often experience falls and Kristina would struggle to help him back on the bed. Securing his bed with a high railing has prevented further incidents of falls.

Outside of everyday activities, travel is part of Michael’s life, as every few months he visits his family who lives outside of Victoria. While on the road, it’s vital to find accommodation with sufficient accessibility. To ensure Michael’s safety and comfort Kristina reached out to Suzanne for support.

“She helped us get a high-quality mobile shower commode that’s durable enough to withstand his dystonic movements. Now, we are also working with our Occupational Therapist to improve vehicle modifications to better accommodate his tall build while seated in the wheelchair,” explains Kristina.

In this way, Support Coordination plays a vital role in Michael’s life and helps him overcome many challenges.

“Once we signed up with Windermere and with Suzanne, it's just been pretty easy really. A lot of the stress has been taken off me as Suzanne deals with it all and works within budget,” says Kristina.

Before Windermere, finding the right support coordination was a journey of trial and error. After several attempts that fell short of their needs, Kristina tried her hand at self-managing for two years.

“Trying to get all his supports in place and connecting with his team of therapists caused a lot of stress and took valuable time away from work that I needed to do,” says Kristina.

Since experiencing Windermere’s Support Coordination services, Michael and Kristina finally feel at ease with the level of support.

“Windermere is by far the best we’ve had. It’s important to find the right support coordinator who is willing to take that journey with you. It helps so much to have someone like Suzanne who has local knowledge and is able to get the right services on board.  

With Suzanne working behind the scenes and his mother’s unwavering support, Michael is motivated to challenge and improve himself and be involved in activities.

“Michael has advanced in leaps and bounds in the last couple of years, and that has a lot to do with Windermere and Suzanne. We really do appreciate all the work that she does and continues to do for him,” she adds.

In Michael’s own words, the support he receives has a significant impact on his life.

"I am so grateful to my mum who is a strong advocate for me.  I don't know where I would be today without her support and unconditional love.  Also, I want to thank Windermere and Suzanne in particular for helping me and my Mum in getting things that make my life a little easier," he says.

To find out more about our Support Coordination services call the team on 1300 946 337 or email info@windermere.org.au.