When Andrew was 6 and his

friends started school, he went

to live in an institution far away.

His family came to visit him once a

month. He went home for the holidays.

There were no schools for people

with disabilities close to his home.

At 18 Andrew moved back home. His on-

ly other choice was to move to another

institution.

Andrew got a job [without pay] with a

service organisation. He spent 2 hours a day

on the bus to get to the service.

At 18, Andrew left the institution and

moved into a house with 5 others. It

was still a long way from home. Within a year, Andrew’s dad became

ill. Andrew moved back home.

He spent his free time watching TV. He

didn’t have contact with many people.

After a few years, An-

drew’s service moved

to a local town.

Andrew didn’t have

to travel so far any-

more.. He made new

friends.

Later his friends told him about chances

to move to a house of his own.

At the start, Andrew’s parents weren’t

happy about the idea of a move.

Andrew’s older brother supported

his plan s.

A short time later, Andrew, his brother and a key worker started talking about

Andrew moving to a house of his own.

Within 2 months, Andrew had moved into a house

he had chosen. He shares a dog with his neighbour

and takes part in village events.

“Now my pool buddies call in for

me, they visit me. I have friends

here now”