Will joined InFocus School in 2006, aged 8. With the support of teachers, enablers, and many other specialists, Will completed his school and college education, and twenty years later in July 2018, transitioned to InFocus Supported Living where he lives independently in the community.
Will is diagnosed with cerebral palsy and is also registered blind. His vision impairment means that he cannot recognise familiar faces across a room and becomes easily fatigued when using his vision, requiring regular breaks. His cerebral palsy means Will has weakness in his lower limbs so can only weight bare for short periods, and relies on the use of his wheelchair.
At InFocus, we believe in promoting independence in both our college provision and in our supported living accommodation. Here, Will is provided with just the right amount of support to pursue his passions and do things that he really enjoys.
Will’s experience in Supported Living
Will wanted us to work with him to prioritise his development of mobility and work towards independent travel, so that he can continue to achieve his many aspirations. Initially, Will was supported to catch the bus and over time, the support was reduced in a safe way so that Will could do this independently.
This approach supported Will to access his local football club, Exeter City FC. Will was already familiar with the grounds, having regularly attended to sell football programmes. Over a period of six months, his progress in independent bus travel enabled him to access the grounds independently for the first time.
The impact our support had
Will’s achievement had a hugely positive impact on his confidence and motivated him to further develop his independent travel so that he could attend cricket matches at the Somerset grounds. To get there, Will needed to learn how to use the train. Will’s support team at InFocus supported him to plan his journeys, and ensure he felt confident booking tickets and wheelchair accessible seats at the ground before again reducing the support so that Will could achieve independent train travel and attend matches.
Quality of life
Will’s ultimate aspiration was to travel to watch his beloved Everton FC play football. Thanks to his newfound confidence and travel skills, Will was able to achieve this goal last year, and travel to London to watch Everton play West Ham at the London Stadium. He has since travelled to Liverpool, independently, for a two-night stay to watch Everton at Goodison Park, and has many more trips planned.
