My name is Debi and I am originally from Manchester. I
have an amazing son called Ryan who has a wicked sense of humour
and the most contagious laugh you have ever heard.
Ryan has various complex needs and has been receiving direct
payments for his care for around a year. Previously we were
receiving respite - or 'stresspite' as we called it - and as a
family we felt it wasn't working and making us feel very isolated.
As a working mum I needed more flexibility and choice in how we
were supported.
The introduction of direct payments for Ryan's care gave us the
choice and control we needed. We can ensure Ryan is involved with
mainstream life and we have been able to build and expand our
community network.
We now have two personal assistants for Ryan, with whom he has
built strong relationships and we are able to do much more. Ryan is
getting grounded in his own community and gaining real life
experiences for his journey throughout life. Ryan is a valued
member of society who can give something back and best of all we
are ensuring he is part of 'mainstream life'.
I remember recently Mo's (one of Ryan's personal assistants) mum
saying since she had Ryan in her life she has built more
relationships with neighbours and people on her street than in the
last twenty years because with Ryans outgoing lively nature nobody
can walk past him in the garden without talking to him and enjoying
him! Ryan gives so much back.
Recently Ryan's school asked for our consent for him to take
part 'casting' day for the BBC who were looking for children who
were confident in front of a camera and talked spontaneously. This
was Ryan's moment and being a very chatty boy he actually got a
part in a new programme on CBeebies called Mr Blooms Garden.
We have held such a positive attitude and high expectations for
Ryan from a young age and we are so proud of him being a person in
his own right. Anybody who meets him would say what a 'character'
he is and now he actually gets paid to perform!
Last Updated : 20 January 2011. Page Author: Paul Ferguson.
