Background:

"L" received a severe head injury following a bicycle accident when 16. Now aged 18, he is currently residing in a specialist rehabilitation centre. "L" receives excellent care in the centre, but it is felt he needs additional 1-1 help on a more personal/emotional level. "L" can get very frustrated and the family feel he needs a buddy to enable him to partake in activities he previously enjoyed.

Solution:

SNAP visited "L" and his mother at the rehabilitation centre. The areas of focus were enhancing communication, social interaction and providing activities for enjoyment rather than simply those designed to aid his physical rehabilitation.

A male carer in his early 20's was identified. They shared a passion for music and computers. The carer liaised with the staff at the centre to schedule activities around the various therapies (physiotherapy, speech therapy etc) and a daily timetable was arranged. The carer worked with the speech therapist to develop a more sophisticated computerised communication system.

The carer also used computers enabling "L" to write songs and create music. Having someone similar in age allowed "L" to be able to express certain emotions which he wasn't comfortable doing with his mother.

The carer was employed on a part-time basis - for 25 hours a week. The hours varied and included some weekend work.