Jorja is a young and independent woman who was born with Spina Bifida.
As a child she lived in the family home on the Eyre Peninsula which wasn’t modified until she was 5 years old. During this time, Jorja spent a lot of time in hospital. As a teenager she moved to boarding school in the city for 3 years and then moved back to a family-owned house which again was not modified and therefore not suitable.
After an accident in 2016 when Jorja broke her tibia and fibula it became very apparent that she needed to find a house that would enable her to live independently and realise her potential.
To this end in 2018 Jorja moved into a modified apartment in the city owned by YourPlace Housing. Along with the other YourPlace Housing tenants she enjoys being part of a small community and has made many friends all of whom support each other when needed.
Jorja has made her house ‘her home’. She has taken advantage of a Google Home device which makes life easier and allows her to set alarms and alerts.
Living in the city enables Jorja to shop at the central market and eat out with friends some of whom she met at boarding school.
Travelling in Australia and the UK has highlighted the fact that many places are not suitable for people living with disability. Jorja feels that more laws are needed to encourage jurisdictions to make public places accessible to people with mobility challenges. This has motivated her to finish her studies and Jorja hopes to work as a NDIS Support Co-Ordinator so that she can help other people living with disability to ‘live their best life’.
In the meantime, Jorja looks forward to a bright future, more travelling and seeing her favourite musical Six.
What’s Happening at YourPlace:
December 2022 Edition
