Comments on: Stories: Mary Browne

By: Mary Browne

Mary Browne — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:35:20 +0000

Here is a very sad update. We have been in the new place for 3 months. It is a thousand times worse than the last one. My bedroom is tiny and faces a driveway, which is terrible, because I have a chronic pain condition, which means I spend some time lying on my bed. The garden is all in shade, so I worry about the roses I planted in it, and the driveway, which is the sunny bit, is not private from the awful front neighbour. I am not capable of choosing a house, but not eligible for things like Accomodation Supplement and Welcome Home Loan. Worst of all, I had a meltdown last night over what a dungeon the place was and how many years I could be facing in it. So this morning, my father is going to the lawyer to make sure I don’t get all the unit, which means if whatever accomodation like group home doesn’t work (and it probably wont), I will only be able to afford one bedroom upstairs. My father has no understanding of Aspergers Syndrome or my other disease, as he is old and cranky. I have noone to speak up for me.

By: Mary Browne

Mary Browne — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 23:24:43 +0000

I have better news, the unwanted unit really looks to be sold, and we’re buying a new one in Somerfield, near where we used to live. I have personally lost $43,500 out of the experience, out of money I had saved up for 25 years. But I could not be stuck in this shopless place forever when I can not drive.

By: Fiona

Fiona — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:04:08 +0000

There ought to be more understanding from social services, from the Ministry of Social Development. I do hope things get better for you Mary.

By: Mary Browne

Mary Browne — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:38:33 +0000

It gets worse. A couple of weeks ago, a woman put in an offer, and on Thursday, after seeing many dumps in the suburbs I wanted, I found what would be the ideal place. Yesterday, our lawyer rang and said the buyer couldn’t come up with the money. I am beyond distraught, and so guilty that my mother still doesn’t have her garden (and neither do I). I ran away, but my friend from our previous street persuaded me to go back for my parents’sake. I can’t afford to rent, and all of us can’t because of 4 cats. My parents are spending old age somewhere horrible, all because I thought a unit would be easier (this one isn’t) and I’d get a better social life as a result (I’m too far away to see anyone, and too busy watering plants, as it’s too hot in this street). Our poor roses need to be in a garden, not pots, the cats need more space, and my mother can’t back down the driveway and I can’t drive. I can’t get a council or state flat for myself because I have saved too much money, even though I am disabled. Can’t get Accomodation Supplement for the same reason, and if I rented in Christchurch, my savings towards getting another house would soon dwindle too much. I am trapped here. Two units up the road aren’t selling (this really is a dreadful cul-de-sac). The nearest dairy is a good 15 minutes away over a 60kph dual carriageway. There is noone to help us. At least with hospital you get let out eventually, to go HOME.

By: Mary Browne

Mary Browne — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:08:27 +0000

I think we have sold the unit (subject to finance), but at a big loss. The next problem is finding a place in our chosen suburb (Sydenham and other inner southern suburbs of Chch) that is both big enough and cheap enough. We really got swindelled by the first real estate agent. Thank you both for taking an interest enough to reply.

By: Hilary

Hilary — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 08:07:10 +0000

Thanks, Mary, for sharing this. It is great to have some new voices on this site, especially stories from people with lived experience of autism. I do hope things improve for you soon.

By: Philip

Philip — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:04:32 +0000

You know, I often wonder why it is so easy for people like me, with unique physical function (aka physical disability), to access support to perform physical tasks, and so difficult for people with other forms of unique function – cognitive, perceptual etc (aka autism, Aspergers, for example) – to access support for non-physical tasks, like managing household issues, decision-making etc. I think it highlights a huge gap in thinking and understanding on the part of people in the disability support bureaucracy, in particular needs assessment agencies.