“I wanted my own space. I have wanted that all along and now, I am happier” ~
Wyckham House has become Siobháin’s dream home, suited to her needs and decorated with her individual style in mind. The accessible, modern apartment is nestled in a tranquil corner of Dundrum in Dublin, with a multitude of facilities and travel connections a short walk away. The home is provided by Newgrove Housing Association.
Siobháin lives with her treasured pet Tasha, a guinea pig who loves to be cradled in her arms. A member of the RehabCare team is present at all times throughout the day and night, supporting Siobháin in her domestic and community life.
Originally from Galway, Siobháin moved to her previous residence, Graifin House in Dublin, 20 years ago, it being the only residential service for people with Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) in Ireland at the time. Asked how she would describe PWS, she says: “It’s the way God makes people. I’m special to other people.”
Saioa, RehabCare Residential Services Manager, describes some of Siobháin’s talents. “She is highly artistic and is really good at anything that is visual.” The service provided by Saioa and the RehabCare team is multi-focused, ensuring Siobháin’s independence is optimised while being supported in everyday life. Saioa says: “One aspect of PWS means we have to keep an eye on food intake, we work with a nutritionist. Meals are planned and menu reviews are completed with Siobháin. It really takes care of the anxiety around food.”
Saioa speaks about the first moment she met Siobháin, back when she lived in Graifin House.
“She said to me ‘I don’t want to live here anymore.’ The house was dreary with inaccessible stairs. It was deemed by HIQA to have some compliance issues, which helped us to launch the process of finding new solutions to match the evolving needs of the residents.”
Siobháin recalls: “Graifin House wasn’t really suitable for me anymore. It was a very large, old house. I lived with four or five other residents. Living with other people was stressful for me. They wouldn’t let you watch what you wanted on TV. But I fought for independence. The day I moved here was brilliant. This new place is nice. I have always wanted to live by myself.” Siobháin says of the HIQA inspector: “Her work helped us all to achieve this. When she saw me here the first time she said ‘you are like a new person’.”
In her new home, Siobháin says: “It’s quiet here. Peaceful. I can get lots of buses nearby. I chat to the neighbours. They’re all friendly. When I was moving in, I picked out the colours for the walls and this wooden floor was my choice. It makes it my own home”. Pointing to the rich teal of her bedroom wall, she says: “This is my favourite colour, a mix of green and blue. I had very clear ideas about what I wanted.”
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Siobháin and a RehabCare Care Support Worker catch the bus to Park House in Stillorgan, a RehabCare Day service, where she takes part in a wide range of programmes.
“I love doing art in Park House, I like painting animals and I do puzzles. I can work on jigsaws with 1500 pieces without needing to look at the cover picture. We’ve an art exhibition soon, some of my work will be part of it. I have a job delivering the Dublin Southside papers. I do Taekwondo on Tuesdays. I have some Taekwondo belts and do competitions around the country. I like to chill out on Saturdays. Most Sundays I go with my Care Worker to have lunch out or the cinema.
I decide what I want to do, go for a walk or shopping or get my nails done. I make my own appointments. I can do whatever I fancy.”