Suzanne

2 - Suzanne Harrison - This is my story

My name is Suzanne, this is my story. My name is Suzanne Harrison and I am 49. From the age of three I lived in St Margaret’s Hospital, a long stay hospital for people with learning disabilities. When that closed I went to stay in various other hospitals before finally living in an NHS Campus, which is still a hospital really.

Because I have autism and I do not use words to communicate, people in the past have assumed I could not make choices for myself and therefore have not supported me to be independent. People have assumed that I don’t understand what I am being told and have therefore made decisions for me instead of supporting me to make my own.

It was thought that I would not be able to live independently in my own home because I would not be able to cope. However, in 2011 this all changed when I moved out of the NHS Campus and I was being given the opportunity to live in my own home. Since then I have been living with my friend Yvonne in a bungalow.

4 - Suzanne Harrison - This is my story

My HomeI had lived with Yvonne for many years before we moved into our bungalow and I still enjoy living with her now.

I can now make choices everyday about what I want to eat, drink and what I want to do with my day with support from my staff. I do my own shopping with support and do things around the house such as my laundry and some cleaning.

Although I like to look after my own home, Yvonne tends to take charge of these things so I let her carry on! I can make my own drinks with support and will help to prepare my own meals. I don’t have a menu or set weekly meals I just choose what I want to eat on the day the same as anyone else would.

6 - Suzanne Harrison - This is my story

My Community

I have support at home and when I go out, which means I have more choice about where I go. I love going to the theatre and have recently been to two different pantomimes. I also love the cinema and go quite often.

I recently went on holiday to Sherwood Forest for a week with my staff, which I really enjoyed. People know me in my local community as I go to coffee mornings at my local church and my local Salvation Army group. I also go to my local pub with my friend Yvonne for meals and drinks. I have recently joined my local leisure centre as it has a hydro pool that I can use.

I now use a wheelchair when I go out. This is much better for me as it means I can get around easier and go to more places, as I don’t get as tired.

8 - Suzanne Harrison - This is my story

An Ordinary LifeAll of my written plans, such as my support plan, celebrate the good things about me such as my ‘great sense of humour and wicked laugh!’ They also talk about my skills and what’s important to me in my life. These things tell staff how they can best support me to achieve my goals and aspirations. This is a different way of being supported for me as its not just about supporting me with my care needs, its about supporting me lead a fulfilling life.

Years ago people did not believe that I could have my own home and live independently but here I am living an ordinary life.

22 - 24 Hagley MewsHall DriveHagleyWest MidlandsDY9 9LQ

Telephone: 0300 302 0770Email: ask@changingourlives.orgWeb: http://www.changingourlives.org