1. Hi my name is Terry Lee and this is my story

2. Background My name is Terry-Lee and I am 24 years old I live at home with my mum and my brother and sister I have been diagnosed with Learning Disability and Autism I used to have care from an agency initially under Local Authority but I used to find this really difficult as I used to have different carers everyday and so I never got a chance to get to know them and they didn’t get to know me.

3. Before a Personal Health Budget Having a routine is really important to me and because I had different people everyday it made me feel really anxious and sometimes I didn’t want to go out with them and so I would put my shoes in the sink so I couldn’t wear it to go out. I also used to have respite and I found this difficult as well as it was an unfamiliar environment.

4. Being offered Direct Payment My mum was offered a Local Authority Direct Payment for me initially which allowed me to have my own carers. This meant that I could become familiar with one person and build a relationship with them. I get on with my PA really well, she is able to understand what I need when I am unable to express myself. Because of my health conditions I was moved over onto Personal Health Budgets

5. Being on a Personal Health Budget This has allowed me to keep my Personal Assistant that I have known for years. She encourages me to walk a bit more. I love going on public transport like on buses and trains and I rally like going swimming as this makes my muscles stronger so that I can walk more I am now more comfortable and my mum has noticed that I don’t get as frustrated as much as I can spend time with my mum and family at home and time with my PA when we go out and about

6. More information For more Personal Stories, please visit : http://www.peoplehub.org.uk/ For more information on Personal Health Budgets, what they are and how they work. Please visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/healthbudgets/ Contact Continuing Care nurse on - 03003038294