The following has been written by Jackson’s mother, Sally, as Jackson is profoundly intellectually disabled. He is a young man who requires one-on-one support and supervision 24 hours a day. He is dependent on others for his every need. Sally has written this on behalf of Jackson as he (obviously) has no capacity to write himself. However, Sally believes it is a true reflection of his personality, likes and dislikes.
Hi. My name is Jackson and I turned 26 on the 1st January 2012. I used to be an energetic young man who never sat still but after being in hospital for 3 months in 2011 I have slowed down a lot.
I have my own courier business called JACKmail and I work in this business every week-day morning. I love my job and I am pretty good at it. Of course I need support and my driver, the wonderful Philippe, helps me make my deliveries. We are a great team and haven’t missed one delivery in over 5 years. Now that’s what I call service!
I have three brothers but they have all left home now and my Mum is no spring chicken anymore. She is more like an autumn duck! I need to move out into my own home before she becomes a winter turkey because you know what that means.
My dad Mac died in 2009 and so Mum and I are alone now.
I am ready to move out and my mum is certainly ready for me to fly the coop. My house will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. One of the bedrooms will be for my co-resident and the other will be for paid support staff or Mum when she comes and sleeps over and makes sure I am safe – only if I invite her naturally.
The house has a garage for my JACKmail van. And also a small courtyard garden.
I like people and so it will be good to have people around me and my home. I tend to ignore people until I know them, but once I do know them I really enjoy their company. I sometimes like to escape from my home and wander away. I can go a long way and be missing for a long time. So people who know me and care about me can help keep me safe.
Thank-you for reading about me. You can find out more about me and JACKmail at my own site, jacksonwest.org.
