Page 16 - CL winter 2023 for web

profile

A day in the life

Christian Raphael, who has complex needs, likes
music and going to the pub. Seán Kelly spends some
time with a man from an often invisible group

e are in the He also has complex learning posts a letter. All of this takes place
pub and disabilities and is non-verbal. His with his two personal assistants,
Christian significant health issues include Ana Fernandes and Tom Maddox,
Raphael life-threatening seizures, and he who are needed in part because of
visibly was hospitalised with Covid last Raphael’s seizures, which require
relaxes. He summer. We need to manage the immediate oxygen.
Wlooks at risk of coming to the pub so we Covid led to Raphael and his
me, a smile curling round his lips. arrive at 4pm and plan to leave mother curtailing their lives. They
Christian’s mother Vicki says the when other people arrive. stopped going shopping. Raphael
Cambridge local is one of her son’s People with complex needs are a could no longer go for his afternoon
favourite places and it is clear that less visible community so I am walk. On his walks before Covid,
is true. spending time with Raphael to get he would be engulfed by a mob of
Raphael is a 36-year-old man a glimpse into what an ordinary friendly students on their way
who loves music and often dresses day might be like for individuals – home after college. But no more.
in bright colours. He has an and their families – in this During the worst of the
undeniable air of cool. overlooked population. pandemic, Raphael’s family reduced
On the the staff team of eight to the three
day we safest (based on contacts). The
meet,
family could not get free tests or
Shoo The Taboo Raphael furlough payments so paid for
listens to
these themselves.
This A5 card pack has been produced by members of the music, Vicki and her son had to fight for
National Supported Loving Network to help open the sex and sits with Covid vaccinations, even though
relationship conversation for people involved in care and his dog, Christian had to be intubated when
support. The aim is to reduce the taboo that surrounds the
subject and assist people to feel more confident in responding goes into he had flu before the pandemic.
to aspects of sexual expression. the Mystifyingly, his GP decided that
The pack includes 50 common questions garden, he was not eligible. He was
from social care staff on topics including: has lunch vaccinated only after his mother
10 x Supporting sex-positive relationships and sex education. and a In the greenhouse contacted a consultant who knew
10 x Supporting sexuality and relationships within the law. slice of with support worker Christian, and the consultant wrote
10 x Supporting diverse sexuality and gender expression. cake and Ana Fernandes to the GP.
10 x Supporting online activity for sex or relationships.
10 x Supporting relationships.
They can be used
in so many ways:
• Staff training sessions.
• In supervisions.
• In team meetings.
I
• n workshops with the
people you support.

Buy your copy here for £45
www.meet-n-match.co.uk/product/
shoo-the-taboo-cards
(meet-n-match.co.uk)

16 Community Living winter 2023 vol 36 no 2