Lindsey and Speaking Up

When Speaking Up first met Lindsey, she was 21 and living with her parents in a rural area. Lindsey uses a wheelchair and has high support needs – personal care, eating, and other day-to-day things. Like most 21 year olds, she wanted independence and was desperate to move out of her parents’ house.

As Lindsey put it: “Obviously there are some things I can’t do, but there are lots of things I can do. Anyone with a disability just wants to live a normal life, according to what is normal for that specific person.”

Lindsey wanted to move out, but didn’t feel confident in her ability to do it.  Lindsey and her parents felt they had reached a dead-end, after being repeatedly let down by other professionals who had promised lots and delivered nothing.

Lindsey worked with a Speaking Up advocate at a time when tensions at home began to really take hold. Her parents were unable to successfully act as both carers and advocates. Speaking Up helped Lindsey to build her self-belief and confidence, helping her to navigate the complex process of getting her own housing.

Lindsey now lives in her own flat with day-to-day staff support so that she can live independently. She says: “Speaking Up supported me with getting independent living sorted, encouraging me to go for what I want and not give up. With Speaking Up, I felt like I was in control myself. I do have a voice, but sometimes the more people you have supporting you, the more loudly your voice can be heard. With Speaking Up, people’s voices can be heard and society will change.”

Value added by Impetus Trust since its involvement in 2004 with Speaking Up click here >

click here to read Jimmy's story