David gets his coffee back
For many of us, coffee is simply part of everyday life. We decide when we want one and how we take it, and we rarely have to ask anyone else’s permission.
For David, coffee has long been one of those ordinary pleasures. He enjoys making his own coffee at home or socialising with a coffee in hand at a local café. These might seem like small everyday things, but David really enjoys them.
When a change in David’s health meant he could no longer eat or drink in the usual way, he lost a lot more than a favourite drink. He could no longer make his own coffee or sit in a café and order a drink for himself. He lost one of the simple pleasures that had always been part of his day as well as the social experiences that came with it.
For David, it was a huge loss.
Listening to what matters to David
David was very clear with his team that he wanted to be able to enjoy a coffee again and that he wanted to make it himself.
His team listened.
There were important medical considerations.
David’s support team worked alongside his family and the healthcare professionals involved to advocate for his wishes and explore whether there was a safe way for him to continue enjoying something that mattered enormously to him.
The team asked for everyone involved in David’s care and support to come together and consider his wishes, his health and his quality of life.
Small tastes for pleasure
Following those discussions, a way forward was agreed that meant David could safely enjoy small tastes for pleasure, including his beloved coffee.
It meant David could once again make his own coffee at home. He could go to a café and choose what he wanted. He could enjoy time with other people and take part in the everyday experiences that had always been part of his life.
When David was finally able to enjoy his coffee again, he gave a big thumbs up and his smile came back as he tasted something he loved.
It might seem like such a small thing, but imagine if someone else had complete control over what you ate or drank. The things you choose because you enjoy them might no longer be available to you.
At FitzRoy, our Living My Life approach to person-centred support means listening to what matters to each person and supporting them to live a happy life where they have choice and control. David was clear about what he wanted, and his support team listened and did everything they could to make it happen.
Being able to enjoy a coffee again wasn’t really just about coffee. It was about being heard, having people around him who would speak up for what mattered to him and getting back a small but important part of his independence.
What matters to you matters to us
At FitzRoy, good support starts with listening to what matters to each person. Through our Living My Life approach, we support people to have choice, independence and control over their lives.