The Dream

I know many of you already know what 'The Dream' is, and over the next couple of weeks, we can finally spill (most of) the beans.

A quick recap for those who have forgotten:
The Dream is basically an idea that has evolved over time as a solution to when Ryley finishes school.
My worry has always been that as soon as he turns 18 years old he will have nothing to do.
Sure, we have 2 options here.
One is a day program type environment.
The other is like a sheltered workshop type environment.
Neither of which I feel will necessarily suit Ryley.
Of course things may change in 8 years time.
But for us, we really felt we needed to create a future for Ryley, instead of just waiting to see what he might be able to do.

I actually have very little faith in the system at the moment too.
I have been discouraged recently at the way I have seen supposed carers treat the people they are caring for
(eg. Not changing someone's nappy for the whole day is just not friggin' on ok?).
I don't want Ryley to be subjected to abuse or neglect within a system that I will be allocated money to pay for.
I refuse to accept that because there are only two options, I have to take them.

So, The Dream has developed and evolved and is now starting to become a reality.

Our plan is to buy a house, a bit of land and slowly turn it into a successful Farmstay Accomodation business. The plan is to make it fully accessible for all abilities (in fact families with children/adults with disabilities will be surprised to see the facilities we will have that will cater for their needs!)
It will be a working farm.
We will produce our own vegetables and fruit and be as self-sufficient as possible.
Ryley will be employed by us, with a paid Carer to help him with his work.

It all sounds a bit utopic doesn't it?
Don't worry, there are plenty of people that don't think we could possibly do this.
Except we can.
And we will.
We sign contracts on Monday for the property that is absolutely perfect for The Dream.

As soon as it is all settled I will take you on a virtual tour.




Comments

  1. Wahooooooo!!! If anyone can do it, you can!
    How is Ryley boy these days? Inbox me?
    XXL

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  2. Replies
    1. Settles next month all going well!! I will take a million pics!

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  3. I applaud your dream as it approaches reality; you are certainly a pioneer in this area and I am anxious to watch the development of this program/life. In the U.S. we also have the same issues with indifferent, underpaid care givers. The day programs which we visited when Adam turned 22 were indescribably atrocious...we would not even consider sending him there for a few hours a day. Home is home for Adam....here there is safety and love and true caring. Please keep us all abreast of developments.

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    Replies
    1. Fingers crossed it all works out. It is going to take a lot of hard work, but I am determined to make it happen. I really am finding it increasingly harder to trust people and have unfortunately had some not great experiences lately. It seems the older your child with a disability gets, the worse people seem to treat them. Frustrating!

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  4. WOW...!!! Anna this is massive. You guys are amazing. I cant wait to hear more as your Dream evolves into reality... xx

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    Replies
    1. Hopefully we will catch up soon and I can fill you in!!!!

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  5. Wow Anna, sounds fantastic ! I don't doubt for a moment you will make this a wonderful reality, you guys are awesome ! Can't wait to see it !

    Caroline xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Caroline! All going well we will settle next month, so then everyone is more than welcome to come and see it!!

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  6. OMG! You're signing PAPERS????

    I can't think of a better dream. I don't know why people don't think you can do it. I think it'd be amazing.

    I'n in awe. Cannot WAIT to see the tour. :)

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Melissa! We have signed papers now!! I am pretty excited I have to admit. But only when I am holding the keys will I be jumping around like a crazy woman!!

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  7. Sounds like a great idea. My best friend as a teenager was in a motorcycle accident and left with devastating brain damage. He spent a few years in a 'sheltered workshop' learning to coordinate his body and speech. Today he has a family and works as a dentist. There is a need for such a place and if you don't do it, who will?

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    Replies
    1. Glad to hear a positive story Eric! It's not that I have heard overly terrible stuff about our facilities here (although the $3 an hour thing is not so great), but Ryley isn't like to have the motor abilities needed to work in the facility we do have. I just need to create another option. Not just for Ryley, but all going well, others too. Here's hoping anyway!!

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  8. This is amazing! You are amazing! I have chills reading about The Dream! Incredible!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Hilary, hopefully more updates on it very very soon!!

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  9. woot! woot! congrats guys! Hopefully we also get our dream house this
    year.

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    Replies
    1. Fantastic Becca! Fingers crossed for you guys too!!

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  10. Wow Anna and David. So amazing. I can't wait to see it!!
    Of course you can do it - you already are.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Jen!! You guys will LOVE it I reckon! As soon as we have keys we will let you know and you can come for a drive out to it. It is about 45 mins out of town.

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  11. We would love that. So excited for you all!

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  12. Congratulations - all the best to you and your family. We are an Australian family living US and have similar concerns ... a band of like minded parents have a dream together see www.goldenheartranch.org
    Cheers

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    Replies
    1. Thankyou for your comment and for visiting my blog. I only had time for a brief look at what you are doing, but I am so excited that this is something happening in other places! Will go for a better explore now!

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  13. What a magnificent dream. It sounds like a wonderful place you're working towards :)

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    Replies
    1. Thankyou and welcome to my blog! We have so many ideas and plans. It will take some time to make it all work, money is always the problem. But we figure Rome wasn't built in a day!!

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