Living Life on His Terms: Jamie’s Story 

For Jamie, life has always been about pushing boundaries whether it was representing Australia at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics or clocking up 100km rides on his bike today. But in 2017, everything changed when Jamie had a stroke that left him paralysed on one side and facing an uncertain future. 

He spent nine months in rehab, rebuilding strength, learning to talk again and adjusting to his new reality. When it came time to leave, the options he was presented with were bleak: aged care or living alone with little support. But Jamie had bigger plans. 

Thankfully, his tech-savvy brother, Paul, stepped in and discovered Guardian Living online. The only catch? Jamie’s future apartment wasn’t ready yet. For nearly a year, he waited, keeping the brochure close by and using it as motivation. 

“That brochure gave me hope. I knew if I just hung in there, I’d have a place of my own again and that kept me going,” Jamie recalls. 

When he finally moved into his SDA apartment, everything changed. 

“I love having my own space. It’s just mine, it gives me full privacy, and it’s close to everything I enjoy doing. I’ve got the freedom to live how I want.” 

Jamie’s new home gave him something he hadn’t felt in a long time: independence. 

“I like to do most things myself and don’t like being fussed over, but if there’s something I can’t do, I’ll ask for support from the onsite staff on Level 3,” he explains.

He’s also a big fan of the assistive technology in his home, which plays a key role in helping him live more independently and safely. 

“I really like how assistive technology means I can do even more on my own, which is important to me,” he says as he asks Google to open his back sliding door. 

“Working with Guardian Living has been great. If there are ever any issues, they’re sorted out really quickly, which gives me peace of mind.”

Life now is full and active. Jamie trains around four hours every day either indoors on his training bike or out on the road on his custom bike. His rides often stretch to 100 kilometres, and right now, he’s preparing for the Amy Gillett Ride along the Great Ocean Road. 

But that’s just the warm-up. Jamie’s big goal is to one day ride from Melbourne to Perth—a journey of over 3,400km. It’s ambitious, but if anyone can do it, it’s Jamie. 

Outside of training, Jamie enjoys the quieter things too like sitting on his private deck, soaking up the fresh air, catching up with friends or having his family visit from regional Victoria where he’s from. He’s also a familiar face down at the local shopping village, where he knows just about everyone! 

Living in SDA has given Jamie more than just a place to call home—it’s given him the freedom to rebuild his life in a way that works for him. With the stability and support of his own space, he’s been able to focus on what matters most: his health, his independence and his love of cycling. 

Discover why Jamie loves the location of his home here.