Anni and Satala (‘Suki’) have been married for 22 years. In 2020, Satala, who used to work as a scaffolder, suffered a stroke. This led to a months-long hospitalisation and the loss of function of the right side of his body.

For the next two years, he became bedbound and socially isolated, with Anni as his only caregiver and companion.

Everything changed when Satala received his NDIS plan and became an Afea client.

“When I first found out that he was eligible for NDIS, I cried,” Anni tells us.

Before Afea, Satala would sleep the day away. Now he wakes up early to meet his carers at 9am and is motivated to do his daily exercises. “And [the carers from Afea] talk to him, laugh with him, joke with him. Having carers has given him a chance to communicate with people.”

And it’s also given Anni a chance to relax. Watch our interview with Anni:

‘Great help’: personal care and hoist transfers

“I was so happy that, you know, yay, I’m getting help,” Anni says, recalling the day Satala got approved for an NDIS plan.

“Just me and him at home, it would get to the point when, sooner or later, you know, I just don’t want to talk to him, I need that little space to go.”

Satala is supported by two carers from Afea who assist him with personal care, including showering, toileting and hygiene. The carers use a full hoist to transfer him from his bed to his wheelchair.

Anni can also turn to their Client Coordinator, Taylor Manners, for any help.

“Before Afea, before NDIS, he would literally sleep until about 2, 3 in the afternoon,” Anni says. Now, Satala wakes up early “because he knows he has his carers at 9am.”

Anni leaves him with his carers and enjoys a quiet time with her morning coffee. “Me, I’m just relaxing,” she says with a laugh.

But she still stays close by to make sure she’s there if he ever needs her. “I still listen, because I need to know that, as long as he’s talking, laughing, joking, I know he’s fine.

“I keep saying that they’re not here for me. They’re here for Suki, so if his comfortable, happy with them, I’m happy. Great help, honestly.”

Road to recovery

“Now that he’s able to go and have a shower, even better. So he’s a lot more relaxed and he does his daily exercises.”

Anni knows Satala still has a long way to go in terms of his recovery. “I don’t think I’ll ever get him back 100% to how he was before the stroke,” she says. “He has the best hugs, Satala, and now he’s only got that one hand. It’s not the same.”

“But if I can have him back to actually having a conversation…and with Afea, they’ve actually given him back.”

UPDATE: Anni and Satala have now moved into Spring Square SDA, with Afea as their onsite shared support provider.

Find experienced support workers with Afea Care Services

Our amazing support workers will provide you with personal care at home and in the community to help you live more independently, achieve your goals and get the most out of life! 

In addition to our compassionate Core support services—

• Afea’s Support Coordinators are committed to helping you achieve your goals, develop your skills and access the best services suited to your needs. Reduce the stress and time spent on implementing NDIS plans with the help of our amazing Support Coordinators!
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