Finding Freedom: Jack’s Journey to Independence and Community in Wollongong

For 23-year-old Jack Wason, leaving the family farm in Central West NSW after he finished high school was an easy decision. “Moving six hours away from my parents was a big step, but was kind of the normal thing that Mum and Dad expected,” says Jack. “They were like, ‘what most people do is leave home, just because you have this disability doesn't mean we’re going to treat you any differently.’ So it made moving away easier knowing that they weren’t trying to keep me at home. It was good to have their expectations that it was going to happen.”

In 2020, Jack, who lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, took the leap and moved into on-campus student accommodation at the University of Wollongong to pursue a Bachelor of Information Technology.

“The campus itself was good; there were a few buildings that I sort of knew were annoying to get into, but most of the wheelchair access around there is really good. I originally started in one of their disabled access rooms, and then I moved into what used to be the old manager’s residence.

The bathroom wasn’t accessible but once they took the shower screen out, it was as close to accessible as it could be. It was like a one-bedroom apartment, and that was really good to have a bit of extra space which is good for my electric chair and my support workers.” 

“Everything was all ready to go. It was prepared for what I needed straight from the get-go. That’s the best part about it.”

Having built his social and support network in the area, when it came to plans after graduation, Jack was determined to stay in Wollongong. 

“I really enjoyed living here so I wanted to stick around. The casual job I had was in the area, and I didn’t have to change my support network and stuff like that as well.” 

Jack came across My Life Housing through an online search with his support coordinator, and from the first inspection, Jack knew their Wollongong High Physical Support apartment was the right fit. Thoughtfully designed for accessibility, the apartment featured smart home technology, height-adjustable benches and wide doorways.

“It was big enough – there’s a second bedroom so my overnight support staff have somewhere to sleep. I just had to move in and hook up power and the internet. Everything was all ready to go. It was prepared for what I needed straight from the get-go. That’s the best part about it.”

A crucial feature was the ability for Jack to continue using his already established team of support workers. 

“Having the option to bring my support team was a huge plus. When we first chatted to the guys at My Life Housing, they said they had on-site support but that I was welcome to bring my own workers. That was a big tick for me. I've been in the Wollongong area for four years and I've got a support network built, so it's good to be able to keep that.”

With Wollongong station 650 metres away, the main shopping precinct 800 metres away, and the beach a kilometre away, Jack enjoys the convenience of having everything he needs right on his doorstep. 

“Probably the best thing for me is the location. Like, it’s walking distance to the CBD and the beach, and that is something I didn't have at uni because it's a bit out of the way. I’ve gone to the basketball at WIN Stadium a few times. It's so good to not have to worry about driving. We can just walk over there and walk home. It's so good just being able to do my own thing and access all of Wollongong basically without having to get in the car.” 

As well as being an avid sports fan (Jack supports Hawthorn in the AFL but has recently adopted the Dragons as his NRL team), Jack loves computer games and playing Dungeons and Dragons with mates. 

“It’s also good having that bit of extra space. Like when my mates come over, we've got plenty of room for all of us to sit around the table and play games. I've got a Dungeons and Dragons game set up with some of my mates from uni, so we try to get together once a week and do that, which is good fun.”

“It’s all just up to you, you don’t have to fit into what other people are doing.”

In terms of his advice for others thinking of moving out of home into Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), Jack says it’s all about finding the right team. 

“The stuff that we need does exist. My best bit of advice is to get a competent support coordinator who knows the area really well. My support coordinator has been working in the disability industry in Illawarra for 25 years, so that makes it really easy. It's really good to be able to rely on someone who knows it, without me having to try and work it out.”

And the best part about living independently? The freedom to live life on his own terms. 

“It's good to be able to just not have to worry about other people when you're living by yourself. You can do what you want when you want, and you're not getting in the way of each other. I remember when I first went back home after living away for six months, and I was just so used to going to have a shower whenever I wanted, and not having to think about other people being there too. If you've lived at home your whole life, you don't really think of that as an inconvenience. But when you've lived by yourself for a period of time, you're like, ‘Oh, it is good just to not have to do this.’

It's all just up to you, you don’t have to fit into what other people are doing.”