Care and support for people with epilepsy
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Success Stories

Hannah Rick - Supported Living
When Hannah Rick first moved into a supported living unit she was unable to go upstairs, crawled for most of the day and had numerous falls. She sustained several injuries during falls.  She would not socially interact with anyone else in the house and would not go out anywhere unless a staff member in whom she had confidence could drive her door to door.  With care and support from us, and a lot of effort provided by herself, she started an intensive positive reinforcement programme. 

This is Hannah's story, in her own words; 

AN INSIGHT INTO MY LIFE STORY... 

My name is Hannah and I am a 26 year old female. Before coming to live with Independence Homes, I have lived in St. Piers School and at Limpsfield. 

I was diagnosed from an early age with Epilepsy, although this was found to be untrue in my later teens. Nobody understood why I fell and why I suffered from anxiety. 

In the past I have cried to my Mum thinking "Why? Is it my fault?" 

I have struggled in the past with socialising and getting around. 

Today I still need support with walking although I am much more confident. I have just moved home and enjoy feeling more confident visiting friends in other homes and shopping in the High Street. I live in a house with three other young adults my age and attend College full time. I like having my own independence and twenty four hour support from staff to encourage me. I used to pay a fortune in taxis and now I get the bus to East Surrey College. 

I don't know what the future holds, I look forward to maybe one day owning my own flat with friends but for now I am HAPPY!!! 
Written by Hannah Rick

Lauren Clark-Cranley Gardens

On a Tuesday & Thursday I go to Lib Dem. Office in Carshalton and do some voluntary work for the MP Tom Brake.

I have 2 lots of post to open – local and post from Parliament.

I open them all and sort them into different subjects. Sometimes there can be some scary letters, and ones from Tony Blair.

I really enjoy working there.

Tottenham Hotspur

On Fridays I go to White Hart Lane to learn how to be a football coach for people with disabilities. I really enjoy it. They are very friendly.

When we do things they help you if you are not very well.

First we do some warm ups, then he teaches us some steps and tells us what to do if you are coaching someone with a certain disability.

I am the only lady there. He thinks I am very good at it.

Written by Lauren Clark
  
Martin Alldred - Residential Care  
Martin was born in August 1966, he was yellow, sickly and ugly with a high pitched scream but I instinctively loved him. He had constant seizures and infections and we lived from one hospital appointment to the next. Each visit brought bad news as his condition deteriorated, but of course I was filled with love and compassion for him.

Miraculously Martin survived. He has severe learning difficulties, a metabolic disorder and difficult to control epilepsy. He needs care twenty four hours a day seven days a week, and much as my husband and I love him, we started to struggle.

None of the homes that we looked at could cope with his physical and emotional needs. Then in 2005 we heard about Independence Homes. After a thorough investigation into all his medical and emotional needs, he took his first steps towards independence by moving into Russell Hill.

This is a specialist home that offers a unique holistic approach to the residents. It has 13 private therapists attached to the unit and specially trained staff. Martin is happy with his new family and his health is beginning to improve, he also has a better quality of life. This new family will never give up on him.

The love that we have for Martin is still the same, only now it is not clouded with worry and exhaustion.

Wendy Alldred – Martin’s Mum