By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A couple has risked their careers and home to help normalise disability in the Geelong community.
Ocean Grove’s Marie Rodgers and Jay Davis quit jobs in the disability sector to open their home as a bed-and-breakfast respite for parents of people with “high functioning intellectual disability”.
The response to Better2gether had been overwhelming, Marie said.
“It seems to have hit a need in the community.
“We’re regularly contacted by people who’ve never been able to get respite from caring from a son or daughter.
“With the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) there’s opportunity for people like Jay and I to open our own service.
“It’s been hard work but we’ve done it and we’re making people happy, assisting them to grow as people, experience community connections and develop their skills.
“We have families that have never had a break and are using our B-and-B for the last eight months. And we’re booked in for the next 12 months.
“We’re making a difference by tailoring the stay to particular needs and interests. Some might need more behavioural or social intervention and support.”
The service was helping three young disabled men to prepare for moving into their own homes, Marie said.
“We’re getting them into the community in a day-to-day basis, being active by going swimming, using a personal trainer for health and fitness, playing soccer, going to the movies, seeing a show.
“It’s helping people to see people with a disability as ordinary people.”
The social interaction continues online at Facebook’s Better2getherCommunity and at better2gether.com.au.
