The Opening Of A New Facility!

Published in 'Heads-Up', Bulletin of the Brain Injury Association of NSW; September, 2013

ON JUNE the 5^th, around a hundred and twenty people gathered at Mount Hutton Accomodation House near Newcastle to witness the new beginning for six young men with a disability. 

Funded by Aging Disability and Home Care (ADHC) and thanks to a $2.2    million grant from ADHC, a new complex has been built. Fully equipped with bathrooms and bedrooms, a complex of six bedroom villas was unveiled. Featuring large dining and living areas plus bathrooms and kitchens, it is hoped that these villas will provide a real home environment and give greater choice.

Minister for Disability Andrew Constance was the government representative who addressed those who attended. He commented how aged care is “totally unsuitable” for younger clients, advocating that the system be changed. “At one point,” he said, “there were 380 people living in nursing home. That needs to be zero.”

Aaron Hickey, one of the residents, recalled his years spent living in nursing homes. He joked about once burning his thumbs as he learnt to cook. “I’m able to draw positives from my experiences (though),” he said, “and (thinking about Mount Hutton) I look forward to making choices for myself.”

Gina Masters, mother one of the other residents, spoke of how heart-wrenching it had been to see her son living in nursing homes, surrounded by elderly residents. “My husband and I could always fix things,” she sad sadly, “but here was something we were powerless about.” Now though, she can feel relief as she knows that “when my time comes, I can be sure that Arron will be okay.”

Arron himself shared similar sentiments, saying how he was “absolutely overjoyed” to be finally living at Mount Hutton. “It’s been four years in the making,” he said, “and got dragged out by the construction. I am glad to see it is now finally done (though).”

The home itself is part of the vision of Northcott Disability to improve its impact in the Hunter and Central Coast Region. Connected with the rollout of the NDIS set to happen very shortly, it is hoped that facilities like this will make services more easily available to clients and their families.