then to walk and to get back in the pool swimming – a hobby from his Darwin days. There’s even a trip to Darwin planned, to see his beloved kids and do a bit of fishing – despite the dangers
lurking under the water. “One day my dad and I
were putting mud crab pots in the water – I had to yell to get himself back in the boat as there was a 5-metre crocodile waiting just a few metres away, eyeing him off!” Lance is happy to be in Adelaide, managing his new home and health - and not just because of the lack of genuine wildlife; “There’s so little infrastructure to support someone in a wheelchair there, plus the heat and humidity don’t agree with managing my health.”
Above: Lance with his pet Bearded Dragon ‘Opi’.
apartment with Housing Choices South Australia.
While the privacy and access to local amenities are great, the sizable apartment with a view is also life changing for someone as social as Lance. “I have the biggest apartment in the building. I think my old room in the share house was as big as my new bathroom here.” Housing Choices has worked with provider NEXTT to support Lance as he adjusts to his new environment – such as making bathroom modifications. “The rails they installed definitely help, I don’t think I could shower or go to the toilet without them. And NEXTT are in contact every day to see if there’s something they can do to help me – but I’m also trying to be as independent as possible.” Moving into one of Housing Choices’ apartments is just part of Lance’s new journey. There are very clear goals for the foreseeable future – the first is getting a power- assisted wheelchair to make it three times faster to get around and support him in his desire for independence. The next goal is to the long and involved process to have a prosthetic limb fitted,
Lofty goals and lovable lizards – life with Lance While most companion animals are a little fluffier, there’s an unmistakable bond between Lance - our newest Specialist Disability Accommodation resident - and his two Bearded Dragon lizards called Opi and Jax. Opi, named after the lovable Sons of Anarchy TV character, sleeps on Lance’s chest each night, having truly settled into
Housing Choices SA currently owns 10 SDA properties in both Adelaide CBD and Bowden, both with exciting vacancy opportunities. If you or a family member or friend are a NDIS participant, and would like to know more about HCSA’s SDA housing available, please visit our website housingchoices. org.au/properties Alternatively, for further information contact Adrian McHugh, SDA Participant Engagement Specialist at
Adelaide apartment life. Lance was living in the Northern Territory and
working at a BBQ store prior to moving to Adelaide four years ago. Lance moved to access better diabetes treatment, however, after more than 30 hospital admissions and progressive amputations, Lance lost his leg earlier this year. After a lengthy process to secure NDIS funding, Lance was able to move out of a cramped share house and into his very own Specialist Disability Accommodation
sdainfo@hcau.org.au or on 0448 597 465 .
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