TRACEY and David Halls had lots of love to spare after their daughter Sally died in February, aged just 23.
Now they are offering other special young adults like Sally the loving home they gave to her, with fun and stimulation through going out and about, as a respite service for parents in need of a regular break.
Tracey said: “Sally had complex learning and physical disabilities which meant she couldn’t communicate and was in a wheelchair or in bed.
“Our lives were so bound up with giving her as much enjoyment as possible that losing her left a huge hole. The house felt very empty and we had so much time on our hands.
“Our home in Bourne is completely adapted for Sally’s multiple needs so we want to open it up to give others like her the same kind of care overnight, for a weekend or even five days, and make it a real holiday for them.”
Because Sally (pictured left) was both blind and unable to speak she didn’t thrive in communal respite care where she couldn’t take advantage of socialising with others.
The Halls feel there will be many other young adults like her, possibly not even so severely disabled, who would do better taking a regular break in a family home.
Four years ago Tracey, supported by construction worker David, gave up her job as a teaching assistant at Willoughby School, which Sally attended, to offer respite care in their Bourne home to children under 18 with multiple needs through Lincolnshire’s fostering service.
This will continue as it did while Sally was living with them and attending Sense’s Bourne Resource Centre so it won’t clash with the new venture.
Tracey said: “We feel there’s a real need out there and want to help.”