Total Care Helps Danny Live His Dream

Danny Wake is celebrating living his dream after overcoming profound disability to lead an independent life in his own Sunderland home.

Danny Wake is celebrating living his dream after overcoming profound disability to lead an independent life in his own Sunderland home.

Despite needing round the clock care, Danny who has acute cerebral palsy, is celebrating three years of living in his own home which he uses as a base to enjoy both an active social life and employment.

Danny, 23, explained that his sheer determination to live life fully coupled with expert care and support had made living his dream a reality.  He said:

I really wanted my own place – to be able to come and go when I wanted and go out and live life – not just sit in bed all day long.”

Danny shares his Tunstall Village home with care workers from award winning Bluebird Care, who help him dress, feed himself and get out and about.

This close support enables Danny to hold down a job working in the kitchens of an independent living housing complex inWashingtonand also be a member of Sunderland People First, a forum for people with disabilities that test a range of services from easy read manuals to public transport provision.

Danny also enjoys an active social life which includes being a member of a singing group that meets weekly at The Sage, Gatesheadand regular nights out at a local disco and pub.  He said:

I enjoy everything about having my independence. I can go out and visit my family when I want to – pretty much go everywhere. It’s hard to catch me in!

Without my carers life would be very different and I would be stuck at home a lot of the time annoying the life out of people. Instead I am living the life I dreamed of when I was 16.”

Mum Gill explained that getting the right live-in help and support was crucial for Danny.  She said:

It was a bit of a learning curve at first but as soon as we had the right care team in place Dan just flourished.

He has come on leaps and bounds since having his own independence and my life has improved enormously seeing Dan doing so well.

Our relationship has always been a good one but now it is much more relaxed – we are good companions and friends. I am around when he needs me but it allows me the freedom I never had before and gives Dan the opportunity to live life.”

The top quality service provided by Bluebird Care was recognised last month when the team won two accolades at the Echo Best of Health Awards.

Great-grandmother and Bluebird Care employee, Jean Metcalf won Carer of the Year while all the staff celebrated collecting the Community Team of the Year honour.