Michelle is one of our Perth NDIS customers living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). As someone who loves to get out and about, living with MS has presented some challenges for Michelle. “Having MS can be very challenging as it often discourages you from doing the things you used to enjoy and love the most,” said Michelle. Shopping is one of Michelle’s greatest joys. However, the closest shopping centre is a 40 minute walk from her home making it inaccessible without support. “We do not have a bus stop with convenient access where I live, and it is hard for me to walk to the closest bus stop so I needed someone who could help me to do things I like” she adds.
An “OG” customer of Homage Western Australia, Michelle has been using our care and support services since we commenced operations earlier this year. When her previous Support Worker was no longer available to provide support, Michelle was on the lookout for a new provider and came across one of Homage’s Facebook ads offering companionship services. Michelle uses Homage so she can continue to safely do things that she enjoys such as plant shopping, attending different events and ticking off fun items on her bucket list. She also uses light housekeeping and cleaning services occasionally too.
A festive photoshoot with Homage Care Professional Irina
One of the “fun” items on Michelle’s bucket list included a beach photoshoot to make Christmas cards for her family and friends. “That beach photoshoot was an awesome experience!” says Michelle. “I was fully prepared with my snowmen and elves. At first, I thought it might be a bit too much walking in the sand, but with the support of Care Professional Irina, I managed it ok and had a great day! It’s been fantastic to tick off my list – there are so many more things that I want to do.”
Smurfette’s day out with Homage Care Professional Syed
Michelle has so many fun activities on her list and our Care Professionals love getting involved in a unique day out for companionship care. Michelle recently spent the day at the shops with CP Syed and her garden gnome Smurfette, getting a number of photos of their adventures out.
“I was fortunate to have CP Syed take me out for the day and he didn’t mind that one of my smurfs was coming along for the ride! I was sure that this would be the last time CP Syed would want to do one of my care visits but he came back soon after and when he picked me up he did enquire if Smurfette was going to join us too! Think he was relived to hear that Smurfette was in fact on garden duty that time!” joked Michelle.
With the support of Homage Care Professionals, Michelle has been able to enjoy the activities she loves such as trying different chocolates at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory, and getting to the local shops to be part of recent and upcoming events such as Halloween, Christmas and New Year.
“So far, I have visited the disability care conference and flower shows, and many other shops – I love shopping! I plan to visit many places like Kings Park during the warm weather, so I can enjoy the beauty of nature. I like going out with my favourite Homage CPs – they are good at helping me find what I want!” says Michelle.
Continue to do the activities you love
Sometimes a disability can limit you from doing things independently and a little extra help is required. “It was quite hard for me to adapt to my new lifestyle after being diagnosed with MS, being unable to drive around when and where I wanted,” said Michelle. “A service like Homage with Care Professionals who can facilitate the activities you choose means you are only limited by your imagination.”
With our support, Michelle is able to do things she loves safely and independently, saying she “enjoys the affordability and flexibility of our service and has established strong relationships with some of her favourite Care Professionals”. Michelle also appreciates the care and support she gets from Darcy and Tash from our Perth Care Advisory team when she calls the office.
At Homage, our priority is supporting our customers to live an independent, safe and enjoyable lifestyle. What that looks like is entirely up to each individual. Companionship can be going to the movies, a walk in the garden, a day at the beach or wandering through the shopping centre – smurfs welcome!
