| Robert & Rachael |
|
|
|
|
|
| Robert & Rachael have been supported by SFHT for many years. Rachael lived in residential care for 16 years and Robert for 15. They met in 1992 when Robert came to the Trust. |
Robert and Rachael started going out with each other soon after meeting. At times this was not easy. They lived in different residential homes 8 miles apart and were reliant on staff to provide any transport that enabled them to meet. |
For some time they had decided that they wanted to live together, initially as a couple and eventually as man and wife. 10th February 2007 saw them achieve their dream as they were married in Bisterne Church, just down the road from their home. Their journey to this pinnacle in their lives was long and fraught with difficulties and challenges, created mostly by other people's fears and uncertainty.
|
The moment their dreams come true |
Robert and Rachael continue to take life in their stride - Rachael is learning new skills at college; Robert, now fed up with his cycle in to work is due to start driving lessons. |
Confetti throwing and the happy couple |
Robert says “we like living in our own home. It has given us so much freedom. We can choose from simple things, like what to buy in the supermarket to big things like what sofa should we get. Leaving residential care meant we now have more money which means we have more choice but it can be difficult because we had to learn how to budget. The staff help us - they give us advice but don't tell us what to do.” |
And on to the wedding reception by horse drawn carriage |
Rachael says “When I used to live in residential care I would say I was going home to visit my dad. Now my house is my home!”
|
|
|
|
