A young woman who was born with two holes in her heart is tasting independence for the first time.
Kelly Ashford, 29, and her housemate Philippa Wright, 23, are thrilled with their new home in Wrexham.
So much so, they were delighted to welcome two VIP visitors so they could proudly show them round the house.
Gwenda Thomas, the Deputy Minister for Children and Social Services, and the local AM Lesley Griffiths, who is also the Health Minister, came for a cuppa and a chat to see how they are getting on.
Things were not always so rosy for Kelly who needed major heart surgery when she was three. She will need another operation at some point to fix a faulty valve.
But that doesn’t stop Kelly, who’s mad about steam trains and Jason Donovan, from living a full and active life.
When she’s not helping out at the YMCA charity shop and a cat rescue centre, she works as a volunteer at the Erlas Garden Project in Wrexham.
She and Philippa were delighted to have the opportunity of showing off their new home.
They are supported by home-care specialists Independent Living, which is part of the award-winning Pendine Park care organisation.
The ministerial duo were there to see how home-care support has enabled Kelly and Philippa to live independently.
Kelly said: “It has made a big difference being able to move here, I have started to be independent and that’s very important to me.
“It’s been a good move and I am proud of my new home.”
Philippa, who is studying animal care at Deeside College’s site in Northop, moved in the same time as Kelly.
She is equally delighted with her new-found independence even though she has to do more for herself than she did when she was living at home with her mum.”
Eventually, says Phillippa, she wants to qualify as a veterinary assistant.
Gwenda Thomas AM said: ” I was very pleased to see Kelly and Philippa so happy, living independently.
“Kelly’s just been telling me about how she’s developed how she’s able to go out on her own now.
“I think this is the really good side of how we can support people to enjoy their independence which they deserve and they have a right to.”
Lesley Griffiths AM was equally enthusiastic about enabling Kelly and Philippa to live their lives the way they choose.
She said: “We are very grateful to them for allowing us into their home and having the opportunity to have a chat with them.
“Everything’s done with the individual in mind and Independent Living place a great deal of emphasis on empowering the people for whom they care.
“Kelly and Philippa are making the most of their independence and I wish them well in the future.”
Independent Living Manager Audra West was delighted that Gwenda Thomas and Lesley Griffiths had taken time out of their busy schedule to see Independent Living in action.
She said: “We believe very much in supporting people in the community, in their own homes where ever possible.
“We have fantastic staff who are working in the community and we think that the move to new offices is the right decision at the right time.
“A lot of our work is supporting younger people like Kelly and Philippa to maintain and fulfil their lives.”
