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Independent Living Centre
John and Yvonne have a long and happy marriage. Through sickness and in health – they’ve been there for each other for nearly 42 years.
Unfortunately 60 year old Yvonne has suffered a number of serious illnesses including severe arthritis, osteoperosis and diabetes. In January this year she suffered another blow to her health when she crushed and fractured several vertebrae getting out of bed.
It was the impetus for John, 63 to quit his job as a storeman to become her full time carer.
Yvonne’s state of health means she values every day. Most people faced with such severe illness would regard rest and ‘quiet time’ as vital. Not Yvonne and John.
“We’d always done a bit of travelling”, said John.
“We did a trip across Australia in a Hiace van then updated to a more modern pop-top van and did a trip around Tasmania for 19 days.
Unfortunately it rained all the time and for Yvonne living under canvas wasn’t fun!”
An A-line camper was next, but the steps to access the vehicle proved dangerous for Yvonne – so this too, had to go.
John approached Nicky Longmire at the Independent Living Centre with a plan that would revolutionise the couple’s former modes of transport.
The Independent Living Centre administers the Lotterywest funded Disability Equipment Grants. The grants enable individuals with disabilities obtain equipment which would otherwise be out of reach.
John was thinking big. He had ordered a four-and-half tonne vehicle, custom-made into a mobile home for his wife to enjoy her last days safely and comfortably as they both wanted – travelling around Australia.
But because Yvonne’s bone density was at just 50%, a wheelchair lifter was vital to enable Yvonne to access the mobile home.
John asked Nicky if ILC would be able to provide a vehicle modification grant for the lifter.
“We pushed our luck and also requested an air-conditioner, as our vehicle would be our primary residence - fortunately we were successful” said John.
The vehicle is currently being modified at Total RV sales, work that has made the design team ‘think outside the square’.
John and Yvonne have made personal sacrifices to fulfil their dream; selling their home to fund the purchase of their new vehicle (and home!). Not all their family share their enthusiasm.
“We keep getting lectures from the kids – they think we’re crazy! They think their mother can’t handle it”, said John.
“Well – we’re going to prove them wrong!”
John plans a few ‘shakedown crusies’ in the months after they take delivery of the vehicle before heading off on a trip that will take in King’s Canyon, the Olgas, Alice Springs, Uluru and Kakadu.
“My wife has told me that she’s not going to sit and stare at four walls for the rest of her life!” John says.
“With our new home, even if she can’t get up, if she wants a different view, I’ll just turn the truck around!”