The disability support idea
Only 6 months after Exceptional Care For You was launched, I identified a significant gap in disability services. We had taken a client with quadriplegia away for a couple of nights and had to hire a specially converted van to get him to and from and transport him around there. This added a considerable amount of stress and cost to the adventure.
On this trip, I started thinking we should buy a minibus and get it converted. Most people looked at me oddly when I came up with this idea, but I knew we could make it work.
I kept reflecting back on the words of the client we took away. When we returned him home, he said, “Thank you so much for taking me; before we went, I wanted to kill myself, and now I have a reason to live; I have had the best time.” Those are life-changing words for me.
The hunt and the catch around Melbourne
So, despite being told it wasn’t a good business idea, and it was too soon, and we shouldn’t do it, I started looking for a bus.
A tremendous second-hand minibus was found; it belonged to a school and was in excellent condition with few KMs on the clock. After test-driving it, I made the decision we needed it for clients. We were fortunate to get that bus, and then I investigated and arranged a conversion so it could take a wheelchair.
With that done, we were ready for adventures.
What a difference a day out makes to NDIS clients
We started with day trips for our clients, not knowing what to expect. I was the driver because I had to see how it could work, and I’m not sure who was more excited on our first trip, the clients or myself.
Our first-day trip was to beautiful gardens near Creswick in country Victoria. I could not have predicted the joy that was felt this day. Some of the comments I heard were;
“I can see out the windows; I can’t see out of a maxi cab. It’s so good
see the trees and birds and cars going by.”
“I can hear the birds and smell the grass; I have not heard birds for
so long”
“It’s so lovely to be out in the fresh air; this is so much fun.”
“I feel like I’m making new friends and learning about other people’s
disabilities”
Everyone (including me) was exhausted at the end of the day, but we all had a ball. I got to see a part of our clients that had been hidden in their homes; it was the smile they wore from ear to ear.
Day trips from Melbourne
The bus is one of the best decisions I ever made!
Our bus now goes on regular day trips not only for our clients but external clients as well. We do regional Victoria trips and trips closer to town. We also work with local aged care facilities to take their residents on adventures and continue to offer small holidays.
This is another way we bring joy into disability care; we love every minute of it.
If you or someone you know needs a pick-me-up, we have you sorted. Contact us to book a day trip that we can guarantee will uplift anyone’s spirits.
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