Reflecting on the Past: The Story of Jacob
Jacob is a young person with lived experience of a brain abnormality associated with a learning disability. Despite his unique abilities, he expresses himself through behaviour of concern. Jacob has been experiencing non-epileptic seizures for many years, so for Jacob to live life on his best terms, he needs the right care and support enabled by a care team that understands his needs and cares to provide a safe environment for him and his family.
After being born, it was discovered that Jacob had a kidney abnormality and had to undergo an operation. After the operation, his family never imagined they had to go back and make additional examinations. The initial reason was that Jacob started having non-epileptic seizures, and he was only five years old when all these challenges happened. Experiencing non-epileptic seizures means Jacob needs to be surrounded by a caring and understanding support team to ensure the best outcomes for Jacob and to keep him safe daily.
The documentary highlights the transformative power of trust and demonstrates the significant progress that Leaf Complex Care achieved when humane relationships are fostered through comprehensive and personalised care for Jacob and his family.
Facing the Challenges
Over the years, the seizures became more complex and more prolonged, resulting in more hospital admissions. After coming out, three mental health nurses supported Jacob and his family seven days a week at home to keep everybody safe. Yet his challenges have continued, and that meant his mother had to go everywhere with him even though he had support.
That was the defining moment for Jacob’s family to come into contact with Leaf Complex Care. We knew we were best placed to meet Jacob’s needs and to create a secure, caring environment where he is understood and can thrive.
”To get Leaf involved with Jacob, we really had to fight the system to get the package we really needed. Jacob was under the social services residential care, which we didn’t think would meet his needs, and we actively pursued Leaf to support Jacob.” – says Cathy, Jacob’s mom.
How Meeting the Right Support Enables Positive Outcomes
For Jacob and his family, it was crucial that the support workers understood his needs and that he felt safe with them. His biggest anxiety was being around people who were unable to manage his seizures.
So, the Leaf Complex Care’s support workers got to meet Jacob and started supporting him while building trusting communication. He was surrounded by an understanding care team that enabled Jacob to live more peacefully in his community and achieve his aspirations. He developed the confidence to trust them, which enabled him to go to college with ongoing support. Jacob loves to refer to his support workers as his friends and enjoys every minute spent with them.
Jacob’s journey took a positive turn, bringing smiles to everyone in the room.
‘‘I can see progress about being independent, doing things himself, even for the short period, which makes me feel like we make some difference. He is doing his choice himself.” – says Ayodele, one of Jacob’s support workers.
The Impact of Meeting Jacob’s Needs
Leaf Complex Care has been involved in Jacob’s journey, leading to an increased quality of life in the community since he used to be isolated and 100% dependent on his family. An integral part of his daily routine are the activities that he enjoys most and that he is good at, such as visiting the cinema, attending football matches, camping, and enjoying barbecues with his support workers.
Seeing the positive impact of a holistic and person-centred approach, we feel humbled and even more determined to improve the care and support of the people we serve. Inspired by Jacob’s smile, we are delighted to witness the moments of him navigating towards a life filled with more resilience, happiness and will to take new paths in life.
”By having the care around him, I can now work from home, knowing that Jacob is safe and is out living his life. This gives Jacob a chance to be as independent as he is. ” – ends Cathy.
