Interview with Mark – Tenant

Introducing Mark – one of our valued tenants at Moonee Ponds.

Prior to moving into the Guardian Living Australia dwelling in December last year, Mark lived in a twenty-bed group home, the recent culture of which he described as ‘toxic’ and emulating a ‘mini nursing home that people felt uncomfortable visiting’.

As a quadriplegic with a tracheostomy completely dependent on a ventilator, Mark believes that by moving into this apartment, he demonstrates to other people with disability what is possible. He has his own support team assisting 24 hours a day but also relies on the onsite team from Annecto to lend a hand with tasks requiring two people:

“Annecto are like my secondary staff team. There’s not the Us versus Them mentality.  The working relationships here feels much more like a collaboration.”

A talented writer who dreams of volunteering for State Government, Mark enjoys the peace, quiet and home-y feel of his new apartment. His eye-gaze communication technology is set up in his bedroom, as is his extensive sneaker collection, which he proudly shows to all visitors (Nike Air all the way!).

“Both friends and family have already told me that it’s a pleasure to visit now. I have staying power, I have gumption. I know my darkness and I know my light.  And how I see it, from all the struggles I’ve made it through. it’s like my apartment and the personal space I now have is the reward.”