Nearly seven years after a devastating stroke turned his life upside down, former Olympic roadracing cyclist Jamie Kelly is regaining his independence with the help of Melba.
Melba provides Jamie with supported independent living (SIL) services at his specialist disability accommodation (SDA).
Jamie, a champion road racer who once represented Australia on the world stage, described cycling as his life’s passion. But in 2017, at the age of 49, his world changed dramatically.
“I was a pretty adventurous sort of person,” Jamie says. “Outgoing, independent, travelled the world – and then, bang, in the space of 24 hours, my life turned upside down.”
The stroke left Kelly permanently paralysed on the left side of his body, requiring lifesaving brain surgery to relieve pressure. Doctors told him he would never ride again.
But cycling remained a beacon of hope. “I knew in the back of my head that I wasn’t going to stop cycling because it had been my life for over 50 years, and I knew I had to get back on the bike to help my recovery,” Jamie says.
The road to recovery, however, was not just physical. Jamie also faced significant challenges with housing, initially being placed in shared accommodation for people with disability. “It was horrific,” he said. “Sharing a toilet and bathroom with someone you don’t even know … you had no independence.”
Through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Jamie discovered he was eligible for specialist disability accommodation, commonly known as SDA and SIL. With Melba’s support, he moved into his own apartment, complete with a spare bedroom.
Jamie’s SIL plan gives him access to support when needed. “If I can do something, I’ll do it myself,” Jamie says. “Otherwise, I’ve got the option to call a carer that can give me a hand if need be. So having that as a backstop is fabulous.”
Independent living has been transformative for Jamie, improving both his physical recovery and mental wellbeing. At the heart of his happiness is his recumbent bike, which he uses to stay active and connected to the sport he loves.
“(Being on my bike) is my happy place,” Jamie says. “I love getting out here. It makes me feel so happy.”
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