A year ago, Lucian struggled to get to school, and wouldn’t go out on his own. With help from Your Way | Kia Roha and a great mentor and school, his mum says the changes in Lucian’s life have been extraordinary. His family are in a whole new place of possibilities.
Christine (Lucian’s mum) says their journey to this place of possibilities was long and arduous, filled with misdiagnoses, a lack of support, stand downs from school, surgeries and despair about his future. Christine was really worried for Lucian’s future, and looking back on it all now, she is unsure how she coped.
Things changed for Lucian and Christine about a year ago when Lucian was assessed as having a mild intellectual disability and being legally blind. Christine said she cried when she heard the diagnosis, not because she was upset, but because she finally understood what was happening for Lucian. The diagnosis helped his new school to understand and support his learning needs.
After this diagnosis, Lucian was referred to Your Way | Kia Roha. Christine and Lucian made a plan with Lucian’s Community Facilitator, Penny. They focused together on engaging Lucian in things he wanted to do, and his school attendance. With these goals and supports in place, Lucian has thrived.
Lucian has a mentor who goes with him for community outings a few times a week. They started small – going places Lucian liked during the least busy hours and increasing their time at busier times and weekends. Lucian is now out and about at the local library, park, and swimming pool. His buddy has also been a wonderful role model for Lucian.
Lucian loves animals and has a “therapy cat” at home. He also volunteers at the SPCA. His favourite place to go is the skate park, where he scoots or rides his BMX bike. He’s made friends and looks forward to school. Christine says Lucian comes home smiling and happy, and that words can’t even describe it.
As for Christine, she gets a break when Lucian visits his auntie. Christine shared that this break is important for her, and she is recovered and refreshed when Lucian comes home. She has also attended counselling and didn’t realise how much she had bottled up until getting to unload at these sessions. She knows how hard it can be to ask for help but is so thankful that she took that difficult step.
Lucian is looking forward to college next year, something a year ago the family thought would be delayed. But the school has supported him so he can transition next year with his peers. Christine and Lucian are thrilled he can move at the same time as his classmates.
She feels the family is now well-prepared for the future. During the most challenging of times, Christine hopes other parents know that a good life, built with planning and support, can be right around the corner.
