Community Stories
A Supported Independent Living (SIL) participant refers to an individual who is receiving support and assistance in living independently. SIL programs are designed to provide support to individuals with disabilities or special needs. They help to develop the necessary skills to live on their own while receiving the required support.
As a SIL participant, you may receive assistance with various aspects of daily living. Such as personal care, meal preparation, household chores, managing finances, accessing community resources, and developing social skills. The level of support provided can vary based on individual needs and goals.
SIL programs typically involve support workers or caregivers who work closely with participants to promote independence and ensure their well-being. These programs aim to empower individuals and enhance their quality of life by enabling them to live independently.
Tracey is one of our much loved Supported Independent Living (SIL) participants who joined the LME Care family in January 2022. Like many individuals, taking a leap into a SIL can be daunting if you haven’t lived independently before. Our goals are to make sure that every individual is transitioned at their own pace. We ensure the transition is one that’s comfortable and will work long term.
When we first met Tracy, she was living in The Park Mental Health Facility. In earlier years, she suffered a horrific accident which impacted her physically and mentally meaning she was unable to return home to a normal life.
With careful planning with Tracey’s support team, they helped to transition her over several months to finally becoming a full time LME Care participant. She now occupies a home in the Ipswich area with 2 other female participants.
Whilst her earlier accident may have had detrimental affects on her health and short-term memory, Tracey never misses an opportunity to partake in a quick-witted joke, outrageous conversation or a quirky and fun filled round of cards.
When Tracey isn’t playing a round of Skip-bo with staff, she enjoys a lengthy chat, never missing a
single detail and asking open ended questions, ensuring she knows as much detail as possible about
her support staff and all whom she may interact with. Through these exchanges, Tracey always
offers insight into her own life and experiences, taking her listeners on a unique cinematic
experience.
Tracey’s ability to tell a story is no surprise however, as she has learnt a thing or two
about this through her most favourite past time-reading!
While we love celebrating the massive progress Tracey has made, it has not been without its setbacks. Unfortunately Tracey received devastating news of being diagnosed with breast cancer late last year.
Tracey is well on her way to recovery though and we believe this can be attributed to the wonderful and tireless work of LME support staff advocating for Tracey, ensuring all appointments have been booked, attended and met, whilst also being an amazing source of emotional support.
LME Care can’t take all the credit though, as Tracey has taken it all in her stride and met her diagnosis with a sense of tenacity, grace and good humour, never missing the opportunity to laugh in the face of adversity.
Looking to the future, Tracey plans to keep kicking cancer’s butt and once that’s done, she would like
to get back to the roots of her youth and plan a trip to her old stomping ground, Lake Conjola. LME
Care look forward to working with Tracey to pursue these endeavours and are excited to watch Tracey’s continued growth!
If you are a SIL participant or considering becoming one, it’s important to reach out to relevant support agencies, disability service providers, or community organisations in your area. They can provide you with detailed information about the specific services available, eligibility criteria, and the application process.
Remember, support programs and services can vary depending on your location, so it’s best to consult local resources for accurate and up-to-date information.
The team at LME Care are here if you would like help to get stared, please visit our website or call our friendly team on: 07 3112 7883.
