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Living life her way: Helen’s story
This World Cerebral Palsy Day, we’re celebrating Helen, a much-loved...
Nadine Andrews
We all have someone who truly understands us. Someone who recognises when we’re happy, frustrated, tired or excited, even when we don’t say it out loud. Someone who knows that “I’m fine” doesn’t always mean we are. For our supported accommodation resident Nadine Andrews, that person is support worker Leanne Morton, whose commitment to understanding Nadine’s unique way of communicating has helped create new opportunities for choice, participation and independence.
Nadine had previously lived in one of our northern supported accommodation houses, but she’s always been a south girl at heart. Her brother Owen and his family all live south and so, when a new house became available near to her family, her team knew it would be a positive and meaningful change for her. As the new house was being built, Nadine transitioned to another southern accommodation, giving her time to become familiar with her future support team, housemates and local community.
Around the time of the move, Nadine was most comfortable with a highly structured routine that was detailed in her plan. She communicated using a small number of familiar words and vocalisations. While she could express some of her preferences, Leanne recognised there was an opportunity to keep learning about how Nadine communicated her wants, needs and choices.
The story continues...
Leanne began asking a different question: What is Nadine trying to tell us? Was “no” a refusal, or simply “not right now”? Was “my shoe” a request that mattered deeply to her? Was reaching out during transfers Nadine trying to participate and help in the process? By looking beyond the immediate response and focusing on communication, the team continued to develop a deeper understanding of Nadine as a person.
Using active support principles, Leanne trialled a small change to Nadine’s morning routine. After Nadine received her morning medication, Leanne or another team member would ask if she was ready to have a shower. If she indicated she wasn’t ready, they gave her time and returned later. Gradually, Nadine began responding more positively. Where she had previously used phrases like “no” or “go away” to communicate, she started expressing herself in new ways, saying things like “yes please, darling” or “turn off the light” when she wanted a little more time to rest.
Seeing the change in Nadine and the positive impact of the adjusted morning routine, Leanne and the team gradually introduced this approach across her day. Through active support, they looked for opportunities to encourage choice, participation and communication. Consistency, trust and giving Nadine greater control over everyday decisions helped build her confidence and expand the ways she expressed herself. Today, Nadine regularly asks for things that are important to her, whether that’s her radio, a cup of tea, a drink of water or time outside.
A particularly special moment for Leanne was a moment in the kitchen when she was preparing a meal. “Nadine was in a lovely mood, and I could see her watching me” Leanne recalls. “I asked her if she wanted to come into the kitchen and she said yes please, so I brought her over and talked her through what I was doing. I asked if she wanted to help stir and she said yes again. We did it together, hand-over-hand, and suddenly she looked up at me and said, ‘Look, I cook!’ It honestly melted my heart.”
How we helped
For Leanne, moments like these are what active support is all about. It’s not about doing things for someone but rather creating opportunities for them to participate in meaningful everyday activities.
As Nadine settled into her new home, she’s also become more involved in household life. She now participates in birthday celebrations, group activities and shared experiences with housemates and staff. She loves spending time outdoors, listening to music, dancing to ABBA, watering her plants and going for drives. Through these everyday interactions, the team has continued learning more about how Nadine communicates and what matters most to her.
Her brother has noticed the change too. During visits, he has seen firsthand how much Nadine has grown in confidence and engagement since moving closer to her family and community, and the impact active support has had.
Active support is a key part of how we support our customers at Rocky Bay. For Nadine, it has been shaped by a team committed to understanding that her words, gestures and vocalisations all carry meaning. By taking the time to listen, build trust and create opportunities for choice and participation, they have supported Nadine to communicate more confidently, become more involved in everyday life and strengthen her connections with the people around her. For Leanne, the experience has reinforced the importance of patience, consistency and taking the time to understand each person’s unique way of communicating.
A few words
“Recently I asked her if she wanted some lunch, but when I got up to make it, she reached out and said, ‘Don’t go’. It was just a lovely moment, seeing that I had really made an impact on her,”
- Leanne Morton
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