World Autism Awareness Day - 2 April. From supported to supporter; Daniella's transformational journey.
Daniella is a truly remarkable person who was once supported at National Care Group's Shelton Care. She now lives a completely independent life, and is a colleague who supports others at Knight House Day Services (part of Shelton Care).
When Daniella was younger, she moved to Strathmore College. At the time, her autism and learning difficulties made it too challenging for her family to fully cater for her needs. Once there, she then shortly moved to Regent Road in Hanley where she spent most of her younger adulthood.
Whilst Daniella was living at Regent Road, she received 1-1 support and was provided with 24-hour care, along with having Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) put in place due to absconding and mixing with the wrong crowds.
Daniella said: "Over the years, with the support that I received at Regent Road, I started to become more independent and my DOLS were lifted."
Special mention was also given to Regent Road's manager, Donna Walklet. Daniella continued: "She gave me so much support and started to help me to develop trust. With Donna’s constant encouragement and belief in me she enabled me to become an independent woman."
From being given the freedom to venture out and mix with the local community, Daniella met Mark at a YMCA disco, who she later married. Daniella is currently living in a place facilitated by brighter futures, however, she still sees her husband Mark every day.
Daniella has always had a passion for helping people and wanted to give others the support she once needed herself. She attended a Job Fare and bumped into Donna Walklet, her old manager. She had an interview and later got accepted for the position of support worker at Knight House. Daniella found her dream job and newfound independence.
She added: "It has given me a great sense of achievement. Life just does not feel as though it could be better. If you work hard enough and want something so much, then you can get there."