Chrissy and Mandy
“Chrissy and Mandy are very close. They’ve been a big part of each other’s lives for a long time. It’s great that we’ve been able to put some support around them so they can live together in a way that works for them.”
Our work is focussed on enabling disabled people to have autonomy, full control and choice in their lives. We tailor our services to every person’s individual needs. See what that support looked like for Chrissy and Mandy; we hope you enjoy their story.
Mandy and Chrissy at home.
Chrissy and Mandy may be cousins, but the inseparable pair are more like sisters. The two women have lived in Manawatū for much of their lives, sometimes with family and, for Mandy, sometimes in residential care. Both Chrissy and Mandy have a learning disability which, for them, means they need varying support with everyday activities.
Now, with the support of the team at the CCS Disability Action Manawatū/Horowhenua branch, they live together in a family-owned property in Feilding. Mandy previously lived in residential care, an environment which can impact on day-to-day choice and freedoms for some people. To enable her to live independently CCS Disability Action organised a team of support workers who live with the pair 24/7.
“Chrissy and Mandy are very close. They’ve been a big part of each other’s lives for a long time. It’s great that we’ve been able to put some support around them so they can live together in a way that works for them,” says service coordinator Sharleen.
The team of support workers tackle a range of tasks – working alongside Chrissy and Mandy to manage their day-to-day lives, including supporting the women to cook, clean, plan meals, and shop. They’re also there for them with all the things they choose to do in the community.
For Mandy, the activities she most values doing with her support workers are going for walks and travelling to Palmerston North for ten-pin bowling, where she attends a Special Olympics group.
Mandy also enjoys arts and crafts – particularly making her own cards. The team sometimes accompany Mandy to browse local shops, where she loves nothing better than hunting for new Elvis-inspired memorabilia.
A quick glance around their home will tell you that Elvis has captured Mandy’s heart (and her lounge). “I like his music and his movies. I collect plates, CDs, books – anything,” she says.
Debs, one of their support workers, jokes that the fact he was handsome doesn’t hurt either, which Mandy laughingly agrees with.
Chrissy also lives a full life and says she appreciates her support workers assisting her to get out and about town. She has several part-time jobs that she really enjoys and is good at. This includes paid work both as a cleaner at Mitre 10 and assisting at a local equestrian centre. When asked what she likes best about working, she is definitive. “I like to get paid,” she says with a laugh.
Sharleen.
The transition has not been without its challenges. “When you have had very limited choice in residential care, for example, the many decisions you can make in a day can feel overwhelming. A big part of our role is to support Chrissy and Mandy to build up their confidence as ultimately, they’re in charge. There’s so much that they’re capable of doing, so the role of their support workers is to empower them to build their skills and self-belief,” says Sharleen.
Debs agrees, explaining that the women have come an incredibly long way in a short time. “They’re a lot more relaxed now, which is great. They’re starting to realise that it’s their house and they can do what they want, which is awesome,” she says.
She’s also noticed that they’re both increasingly good at asking for the things they need and want – a sign of growing confidence but also trust in the team.
When asked what they like best about their new life, Mandy replies: “It feels really good. I like it a lot better here. I get treated really well – I’m happy.” Chrissy agrees. “The team are really good. They help us out a lot. We have good people around us,” she says.
Mandy appreciates having Chrissy as a companion. “She’s kind and she’s helpful around the house,” she says. Chrissy also describes Mandy as a kind person who is good to have around.
Debs feels it’s the things that many people take for granted that bring her the most satisfaction in her work with the women. “It’s been such a joy to be able to support them to take control of their lives,” she says. Relationships, self-determination, and fulfilment are all ingredients for a good and happy life. Now, it seems, these are all things that Mandy and Chrissy have in spades.