By Dr Dawn Cavanagh.
And here’s Jack.
When the Welsh Government (WG) said they wanted to visit Jack and where he was living, everyone wondered how best to play it.
In the end, it was decided to give full control to Jack (and we would stand aside and keep away).
Jack has done so well since leaving secure hospitals but he is still traumatised. He has bad dreams, flashbacks, likes to keep doors and drawers open and can fear visitors (thinking they are going to lock him away).
Jack was told about the visit and asked if he wanted to meet WG under his terms. He wanted to meet with them. So, lots of preparation went ahead. Jack planned what he wanted to say via widget symbols, his staff supported him with buying new clothes, Jack chose food for the day and it was agreed he would show WG around his new home.
All the time, it was made clear to Jack that he could change his mind and cancel.
Anyway, the day came and he owned it! He gave his widget symbol sheet to a civil servant. One bit said that he wanted all seclusion rooms turned into broom cupboards. The only thing he didn’t do was let WG have the cakes he bought. Can’t blame him-they were nice cakes 🤣
Jack was so brave that day.
The award came as a surprise and Jack is very proud of it.
