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John unlocks his front door and steps into his flat in Whanganui. Five months in, and he’s still getting used to the quiet satisfaction of having his own space. No stairs to navigate, just a straightforward one-level home that works for him.
John describes being so close to the supermarket as one of his favourite things about the location. Close enough that he can walk there for groceries, though he takes a taxi back when his bags are heavy. It’s a simple routine that works, the kind of ordinary independence that John is enjoying on a daily basis.
John has a genetic condition that affects his learning and vision – a random gene mutation that he shares with his sister Patricia. It’s not something with a name in the textbooks, just a family reality that means John needs some extra support to navigate daily life.
At 44, John who had lived with family his entire life, needed to start transitioning to independent living as his mother needed to move into a rest home. The transition to independent living was a significant change for both John and his family – learning to navigate new routines, new support systems, and the reality of living alone for the first time.
Twice a week, support workers visit John’s flat. They help with house cleaning, assist with paperwork (like setting up his first-ever internet connection), and provide transport to medical appointments. It’s practical help that fills the gaps without taking over.
When asked about his adjustment to having regular support workers, he acknowledges the change has been positive. After years of family-only care, having strangers become part of his routine was a big adjustment. But now he has regular faces he knows and trusts.
The support extends beyond the practical. On Monday nights, his Uncle Bruce and Aunty Anne take him to bowls with them, and his support workers plan to start getting him swimming.
Friday nights find John at the community friendship meals, where he helps with cooking and enjoys cups of tea and coffee with others. John explains about the cooking responsibilities, “We take turns during the week.” It’s the kind of ordinary social connection that builds a life.
Moving to independent living hasn’t meant moving away from family. John visits his mother three times a week – a routine that brings joy to both of them. His sister Patricia lives nearby with her husband Jordan, and they see each other regularly. Another sister, Francis, coordinates support from Australia, calling John every day.
“John messages me every morning ‘good morning’ and every night ‘goodnight’,” explains Francis. “It’s a simple system that provides peace of mind across the Tasman.”
The extended family network includes aunties who help with local appointments and check-ins, providing ongoing support while respecting John’s independence.
Finding John’s current home wasn’t just about any accommodation – location and accessibility were crucial. The new flat is all on one level, with easy access to a washing line and a walk-in shower that suits John’s needs.
“It’s social housing,” Francis notes. “He wasn’t in social housing before. They were private rentals that kept getting more expensive.” The change has provided stability and affordability that makes independent living sustainable.
John’s mother can no longer manage stairs, so having a place she can visit has been particularly meaningful. “She wouldn’t have been able to visit the old house because of the stairs,” Francis explains. Now she can be part of John’s daily life in his own space.
John’s weekly routine includes trips to the cinema on Tuesdays when tickets are cheaper, regular grocery shopping, and his various social activities. It’s an ordinary life – which is exactly the point.
When asked about living alone, John says: “I just go by day-by-day, night. Just chilling. Just keeping to myself.” There’s contentment in the simple rhythm of independent life, supported when needed but self-directed at its core.
The transition wasn’t without challenges. Francis had to research support services when their mother could no longer provide full-time care. She contacted Your Way | Kia Roha, and together they developed a comprehensive plan for John’s transition to independent living. “I didn’t know what they could offer,” she admits about initially reaching out. The process of finding the right accommodation and setting up support services took time and patience, but having Your Way | Kia Roha and CCS Disability Action support the planning made all the difference.
John’s story illustrates how the right combination of family support, support services, and suitable housing can create genuine independence. It’s not about dramatic transformation or overcoming impossible odds – it’s about practical solutions that enable an ordinary, satisfying life.
“It’s been a smooth transition and well supported,” Francis reflects. “If it wasn’t for Your Way | Kia Roha, we wouldn’t have found the unit he’s in now.”
For other families facing similar transitions, John’s experience offers a practical example. When circumstances change and traditional family-care arrangements need to evolve, there are pathways to independence that don’t require losing family connections or compromising safety.
John’s flat in Whanganui isn’t just accommodation – it’s proof that with the right supports in place, independence looks a lot like what most people would recognize as simply living well.
Thanks to John and his sister Francis for sharing their family’s journey.
