Walking into Ryan’s home, you’ll find rooms lit with the crisp sunshine that Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia is famous for. It’s the kind of home you can hear laughter echoing through the wide hallway and where everyone knows each other quirks.
Ryan’s right at the centre of it all.
Ryan is a 22-year-old young man living in Sturt with his 2 housemates around the same age. His mum describes him as a loving, affectionate & cheeky man, who likes being fussed over and the centre of attention. He’s got piercing blue eyes, light brown hair and moves around in a modified mechanical wheelchair. On the back headrest, you’ll find the Adelaide Crows colours, one of his favourite teams and his family’s local rivals, Port Adelaide.
While Ryan is non-verbal, that doesn’t mean you don’t know what he is saying! He has multiple communications devices, like a PODD book and iPad. Despite these, he prefers to communicate with his body using his hands to grab and gesture towards items (and people.) You’ll know whether Ryan wants you to pat his back, have a hug, pass a chicken nugget or TV channel change.
He seems to always know how to elicit a smile, whether your family, his supports or a new friend.
Ryan lives in a 3-bedroom, high physical support house created to fit into and move with his life. Much like any other young man his age, this is a share house with housemates he’s known for what feels like forever. For Ryan and his family, finding the right home was life changing.
All one level, Ryan’s able to move around using his wheelchair with ease. If you’re lucky enough to visit, you’ll see Ryan wheeling himself from room to room, checking everything is in order and as it should be.
The most popular room in the house, as expected, is the TV room. Here, Ryan watches quiz shows Millionaire and Tipping Point (though he is very particular about the type of quiz show), Football (AFL and NRL) and Mr. Bean. It’s also a great spot to people watch and make sure you haven’t missed the bus. If anyone leaves the room for whatever reason, the remote is fair game and the channel switching commences! Everyone knows to defend their choice of show.
A wide hallway connects each room, with special white covers over the wall to protect them if a chair goes astray. To the left of the hallway is Ryan’s room, with a ensuite, bright blue bedspread and photos on the walls. The home is designed with accessible bathrooms, space for assistive equipment like hoists and change tables and room for Ryan to move safely and comfortably
For Sheree, Ryan’s mother, this accessibility means peace of mind.
“This is the best home he’s had, he can go anywhere in it” she says.
Ryan’s day begins earlier than most. Up with the first birds at 5:30 am and before anyone else in the house. Quietly rolling down the hallway in his wheelchair, he’ll often pop into his housemates’ rooms to make sure they’re okay.
Of course, waking someone up that early sometimes leads to a little payback later on.
That playful back-and-forth is part of the fun of living together. Ryan has known his housemates for more than ten years, ever since they first met as kids. Over time they’ve become more like brothers than housemates.
Breakfast is the second event of the day, with French toast cut into fingers. After this, there’s day programs and back home to cook a healthy dinner. His favourite meals include spaghetti bolognaise, butter chicken and chicken nuggets – especially the ones from KFC.
Ryan loves helping with cooking at home too. Stirring is his specialty, making him the perfect assistant for slow-cooked meals like bolognaise.
Ryan’s Favorite drink comes out of his pink water bottle, filled with the freshest water out of the tap. He tends not to bother with any soda and has only had one alcoholic drink on his 18th birthday.
Like most, Ryan loves to get out of the house and into the community. With a bus stop right outside the house, it’s easy for his mum or supports to take him out. During the week he heads out with his housemates and attends community programs.
Ryan enjoys art, music and Boccia – a highly tactical Paralympic precision ball sport for athletes with significant physical impairments affecting all four limbs. He’s also keen to get back into swimming for next summer.
Trips to the Westfield Marion are always popular, it’s Ryan’s spot to grab a present for someone’s birthday or just to do a bit of window shopping. Ryan also enjoys the short trip to Glenelg, where he wheels along the esplanade and takes in the amazing view of the beach. Another favourite in Glenelg is the SA NFL Tigers; you might even see him at a few games.
One thing Ryan doesn’t like – and we can all relate – is missing the bus. It means waiting another 30 to 60 minutes and it’s easy to get frustrated!
For the day-to-day, the boys visit the Foodland just around the corner for their groceries, where everyone knows Ryan’s name – and his preferred snacks (freddo frogs)! On Fridays, the fish and chip shop is the popular spot to hang out and grab dinner.
Across the road from Westfield Marion is Ryan’s Church, which he visits every Sunday with his mother. If a AFL match clashes with church, the decision can sometimes be a tough one.
But footy is pretty important.
The church has an eclectic congregation, with people dropping by day to day as well as community focused events like Table of hope, giving families in the area a meal to share.
When we visit the Church with Ryan, several people drop by, they all know Ryan and his mum! There is always someone new for Ryan to meet and become fast friends with.
At Church, Ryan is the final decider on whether they stand up for Hymns, If he feels everyone’s a little too tall while he sits cross legged in his chair, he will drag them back down for a hug!
Ryan’s life today is full of the things he loves – friends, family, good food, community and a home where he feels comfortable and supported.
His accessible home has given him the space and freedom to live life on his terms, including rolling down the hallway to check on his housemates, helping cook dinner or simply relaxing in the TV room watching his favourite shows.
And if you happen to visit?
Don’t be surprised if Ryan takes your hand and gently moves it to the top of his head.
That’s his way of saying hello.
And asking for a scratch.