When Jason suddenly had a stroke at home, his life instantly came tumbling down. “I was blind and deaf. My blood pressure was that high and I just couldn’t cope,” Jason says.  

Rushed to the hospital, after surgery, Jason’s sight and hearing began to return but he still had a long recovery ahead. For Jason, this meant significant life changes.  

Before his stroke, Jason was living with a friend. But after his health dived, Jason couldn’t return home because he now needed intensive care support.  

“I was only 60 kilos. I wasn’t eating properly and couldn’t function properly. I had nowhere to go, no one to see or talk to,” Jason says.  

That’s when Wesley Edward Eagar Centre stepped in and offered him a place to stay while recovering. What began as a short stay ended up being two years.  

“He’s probably one of the longest residents we’ve had here. We pride ourselves on not having a time cap on how long people can stay. The majority leave when it’s right for them,” says Andy, Wesley Edward Eagar Centre and Inner City Program and Practice Manager.

Finding support

While Jason doesn’t remember much from when he first arrived, he was blown away by the friendly, caring staff.

“I was confused for a while because I wasn’t well. It took me a long time just to wake up and realise, wow, these people are really great to me.”

Jason says he owes his life to the Wesley Edward Eagar Centre team. And he is truly thankful for them, especially Andy – a bond that’s sustained beyond Jason’s stay at the Centre.

“Without Andy and the team, I wouldn’t have recovered otherwise. And Andy, I’ll never forget him. Can’t get rid of him now,” Jason smiles.

It’s a sentiment that Andy echoes. “It seems as though I’ve known him all my life. It was always a pleasure going to work knowing that his smiling face was going to be there.”

But it’s not just Andy and his team that Jason appreciates. It’s his wider community. Jason formed friendships with many residents at the Centre, including three close friends, and together they were known as ‘the gang’. Jason also knew everyone in the local neighbourhood while living at the Centre.

“I’ve never known a resident to set up that many tabs at different shops. He’s got that much charm about him,” Andy says.

A new chapter

When the time came for Jason to leave Wesley Edward Eagar Centre, Andy and the team supported Jason to find a permanent home in Glebe. They also helped Jason furnish it to make his place feel like home, including a bed, fridge, washing machine and many more household appliances.

“They got me all brand-new stuff. It was great,” Jason says.

While Jason’s health has come a long way, Jason says his approach to recovery is step-by-step. Now Jason can do that thanks to funds from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). From cooking to cleaning and a Support Worker who takes him to medical appointments and equine therapy, Jason feels he has everything he needs to live and recover independently in his home.

“We ensured Jason had the support in place through NDIS to help him every day. Because Jason wouldn’t have thrived just anywhere. That’s why he was with us so long,” Andy explains.

Jason has settled into his new home and has already opened tabs at all the local coffee shops. And knowing Andy is just a phone call away fills Jason with peace that someone is looking out for him.