Simion's trip of a lifetime. Seventeen years in the making.
By Lisa Hogan, Support Worker, Wade Court
I've been supporting Simion for a while now, and some stories are meant to be shared. This is one of them.
Simion has called Wade Court home for nearly two years. In that time, he's become known for his infectious laugh, his love of Marvel, and his gentle, kind and appreciative nature.
For just over a year, Simion has been in a relationship with Chloe, another resident at Wade Court. It's been wonderful to see two people find each other in the place they both call home.
Chloe and Simion, on their holiday abroad
So when Chloe's family invited them to Italy to celebrate two special birthdays, Chloe turning 30 and her mum turning 60, there was no question they would say yes.
There was just one thing. Simion hadn't travelled abroad in seventeen years, and we planned to help him change that.
Over the next few months, many of us worked together to plan every detail. We helped Simion save up each week until the holiday was paid for, tracked down and renewed his expired passport, helped him put together a holiday wardrobe because if you're going to Italy, you're going to look the part, sorted out his insurance and medication, and made sure his CPAP machine was ready for travel.
For anyone who hasn't come across one before, a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine is a small device Simion uses at night to help him breathe comfortably while he sleeps. Travelling with one takes a bit of planning, checking airline rules, making sure it's packed safely, and getting the right adaptor for abroad. We made sure every bit of that was sorted before he got anywhere near an airport.
None of it was complicated, but it was time-consuming. Each step brought Simion closer to something he had been waiting for a very long time. In the weeks leading up to it, Simion's excitement was impossible to contain. He was finally getting on a plane.
Then the day arrived. Simion spent a week in Italy with Chloe by his side and her family around them. They enjoyed the sunshine, delicious food, and finally left those seventeen years of waiting behind.
He came home exhausted from a long day of travel, but beaming ear to ear after having a lovely break.
There's something about this job that's hard to explain to anyone who hasn't done it. You put your heart into the details, the budgeting, the passport forms, the packing lists, and the medication checks. Sometimes it feels like just paperwork, but it's never just that. It's a holiday seventeen years in the making. It's two people in love, sharing a table in Italy with a family who welcomed them both. It's Simion living his life the way he deserves.
When Simion walked back through the door, our team felt so proud and happy. Experiences like this remind us that this is more than just a job. It's exactly why many of us chose to work in care.
We're so proud of you, Simion and Chloe.
Lisa x