Cameron is the young man whose story Cam Can is founded on. He is the ‘Cam’ of ‘Cam Can’! Despite years of hearing “Cam can’t”, Cameron has repeatedly proven that “Cam can”!
Cameron was born with what is traditionally termed a “profound intellectual disability”. At Cam Can, we choose not to focus on labels like this, as we believe they create an unhelpful mindset in achieving personal goals. In spite of Cameron’s challenges, he has successfully risen above what the system had planned for him. Cameron is now a proud business owner and operator. He lives in his own home and enjoys a life where he is valued for what he contributes. As a result of his innovative and creative support arrangements, Cameron is surrounded by friends and lives a fulfilling life in the community.
We are proud of what Cameron, and so many others, have achieved, and hope we can support you to achieve similar outcomes.
Marc and Anthea Lema are the parents of seven children, with Cameron being one. They are also the Directors of Cam Can. The concept of creating Cam Can was borne out of Marc and Anthea’s personal experience in creating innovative supports for Cameron. Marc and Anthea wanted more for Cameron than what ‘the system’ was able to offer and, as a result of years of hard work, established Cam Can to do just that.
Marc and Anthea developed a ‘circle of support’, designed a small business enterprise for Cameron to operate, and implemented a community living arrangement within three years. Due to these life enhancing initiatives for Cameron, other families sought their help to develop plans that would bring about meaningful lives for their family members. What started as two dedicated and committed people sitting in a lounge room with a lap-top in 2011, has since developed into a contemporary organisation which now supports over 400 people across Western Australia. These people all enjoy the benefits of a meaningful and fruitful life like Cameron, one which otherwise may not have been achieved.
Cam Can assists people with disabilities and their families to create innovative, personalised, flexible and sustainable arrangements that maximise their control over available resources, decision making and choice
Ali was a member with Cam Can for four years 2012 – 2016. Here are some of beautiful Ali’s stories.
Ali emanated vibrant, positive energy and lived her life following her dreams and passions. Alison surrounded herself with like-minded people – family, friends, community and positive support.
Ali was great company and a pleasure to be around, with her quick laughter and ready banter to keep you on your toes. She was a natural motivator and had a talent to express compliments to her support workers and all around her.
Alison enjoyed her independence and with the help of Cam Can she was able to move out of home into her own unit in 2014. Support workers from Cam Can assisted Ali to pursue some of her favourite activities in the community. She loved her outings to Mundaring where she attended beading and mosaic classes and she would frequently ask her support workers to bake a chocolate cake so she could take it to the ladies at the mosaic class for morning tea.
Ali built up good relationships with her support workers and had a lot of memorable quotes we all loved some of which included:
When going swimming “Don’t Ruin My Day Hon”
When pushing Ali uphill she would ask “Is this keeping you fit?”
When staff found a car park – “I used my magic”
When she saw her parents “I am home, your peace is shattered”
One of Ali’s great loves was flowers. Every week, Ali visited her favourite flower shop, bought herself a bunch of flowers and shared laughter and conversation with the staff. Flowers gave her so much joy. She wanted to create an artwork of these flowers so she could enjoy the love and joy over and over between visits to the flower shop.
In 2019 support worker Cheryl entered Alison into a Wellbeing WA Logo Competition, with a painting they had done together. It was successful and the painting is now the logo for Wellbeing WA. It’s an inspirational but simple reminder of the benefits we get by taking responsibility to care for ourselves and others, and to do the things we find joy in. Importantly, it shows how our differences strengthen relationships and enrich our lives.
Hello, my name is Tony.
I am a 67-year-old man with Cerebral Palsy. I have lived and worked in human services since I was 18 months old. I was institutionalised as a baby and remained so until I was 17. It was like a prison, we had no rights, possessions or control. When I finally broke out of the system I went and lived with my parents in Bunbury.
Despite the odds, I went on to have a successful and independent career in human services, trying to make a difference wherever I could.
It was being forced to live independently several years ago that pushed me back into human service land. After being with several agencies that lacked the resource I required, I met Bridget and got involved with Cam Can in 2013. It was at a time in my life where I was very fearful that I was going to be institutionalised again. But thankfully Bridget and her team, took my rather limited funding and used it to keep me afloat.
Bridget could see that I was struggling and with sheer determination she got more funding for me, enough to live comfortably in my own home. Cam Can was able to coordinate services that I required to live independently. When I look back at 40 odd years ago to the way people with disabilities were treated and how now I can live with dignity, rights, and possessions and have control of my future, it’s amazing how much it’s all changed.
In 2019 I was fortunate to become an NDIS participant. This provided me with a lot more resources to be able to continue to live in my own home. The alternative would have been having to live in an aged care home.
I chose to continue using Cam Can service for personal support. They have been outstanding. I am able to work with the coordinator to ensure that the supports that I have are tailored to suit me. I have found Cam Can to be very member focused. If I am ever not happy with anything, I am able to discuss my concerns with the coordinator who ensures that I am living the life I want to live. My NDIS goal is to live as independently as I can in my own home and in the community. Without Cam Can’s support, this definitely would not be possible.
Congratulations to Cam Can for your 10-year anniversary. I feel very privileged to be part of this service and I hope that I can continue receiving their support well into the future.
A big thank you to Marc and Anthea Lema for developing and managing such an outstanding service on a day-to-day basis. I cannot thank Polly Coufos enough for being so professional, friendly and being there for me by helping me meet my daily needs.
Fiona is a vibrant 30-year-old lady who lives in her own home in Donnybrook, a small community in the South West.
This is Fiona’s story: I was born with Cri du chat syndrome it is a rare condition.
It means I was born with some difficulties.
Some of them are problems with speech and communication.
So, I need some help and support to live my life the way I want.
I have been with Cam Can for 5 years and I now have lots of choice and control in my life.
I have a beautiful team of support workers and I am happy with my supports as they let me make choices and they listen to me.
I do my banking, budgeting, shopping, art classes, exercise, cooking, ride my bike, swimming and a variety of social activities. My team are willing to give anything a go.
I have meal preparation to assist me with learning how to cook healthy, yummy meals.
I wanted to be able to do some work that was meaningful. My support worker helped me to get volunteer work at the dementia ward at the local hospital. I enjoy working at the hospital.
Before I could work I had to complete a dementia course which I passed. I also get to wear a uniform just like everyone else. The older patients say they are happy to see me.
I have been doing art classes now for a few years and have made some amazing things.
I think I am very good at it thanks to my support worker, she teaches and inspires me.
I have recently been experiencing neurological seizures which are scary and can happen at any time. I rely on my support workers to assist me when this happens, I have been taken to the hospital several times. My support workers know exactly what to say and do to assist me.
Since I have been with Cam Can my life has changed so much, it is incredible.
I am more independent and happy.
I want to thank my Mum for always being there for me and helping me along the way.
I also want to thank my support workers; I would be lost without them.
I want to thank Cam Can, my coordinator Tina, and Team Fiona for being flexible and helping me to have a happier more confident life.
I have been a member of Cam Can since the organisation first started and now receive daily support with personal care, social support, and community access. Cam Can is the first agency that I have dealt with that has asked me what I wanted and has supported me the way I want to be supported. For example, when new Support Workers join my team, I can advise them on how I would like to be supported and answer any questions they may have.
As a result of this, Cam Can have provided me the space to grow as a person, mature, and build confidence. When I first started with Cam Can my Support Workers would do things for me, and over the years supporting my independence has become more of a team effort. I now work with my support workers, Service Coordinator, and other Cam Can staff to create the life I want.
I can contact my coordinator and have a say in all decisions that impact me. I have not had this experience with other agencies and believe that Cam Can is a person-centred agency.
Furthermore, I have found Cam Can is an agency that is easy to approach as there is less red tape and hoops to jump.
Cam Can is providing me ongoing support by encouraging me to get involved in activities I enjoy eg. my eyesight group in the city once a month where I socialise with other people with vision impairment.
I love painting and doing craft as a therapy to manage my anxiety and make gifts for my family and friends. My support staff encourage and support me to stretch myself a little bit further, learn new skills and become a little more independent. They give me the space to test myself, make sure I am safe and being realistic. I also enjoy cooking and baking things like a chocolate mud cake, cupcakes, peanut butter biscuits and zucchini pie with the help of my support staff.
Cam Can is going to support me to go back to study so I can become a disability advocate which is my life long goal.
Fabian was finding it very difficult to build a relationship with his previous support network and decided to join Cam Can in September 2018.
At this time, Fabian was very transient. Fabian had a history of instability whilst being supported through multiple agencies. Fabian did have his own home with Department of Housing, however he was very unhappy living there and struggled to make positive choices which impacted on his wellbeing. Fabian then resorted to living on the streets, citing that he felt safer there. During this time, Fabian also had multiple admissions to the Acute Psychiatric Unit which tended to coincide with use of illicit substances and engaging in illegal activities.
Since Cam Can have been supporting Fabian he has had his Court Treatment Order removed and is now being discharged from Community Mental Health, as they feel he is taking responsibility for his own health and wellbeing. Fabian is now very comfortable at home and has support to keep unwanted visitors away.
Fabian has several passions, one being his family. He has two sisters and a brother, plus nieces and a nephew that live in Perth. Fabian loves to connect and spend time with them, especially with his younger brother.
Another passion of Fabian’s is his art. Fabian is very creative and a very talented artist. For the past twelve months, Fabian has reconnected with art and has found this very therapeutic. He has recently joined a cultural art group and is loving it.
With his artistic talents, Fabian has found a passion for rap music, creating and writing his own songs. Fabian has also taken up skateboarding. He loves people and enjoys being part of a group. He has recently been attending a local church group and is considering getting baptised. Fabian also has a keen interest in chess.
Fabian has started his own small business enterprise, yard maintenance, which he loves and is doing well at.
This year Fabian presented his story at the Cam Can AGM which was heart-warming and inspirational to many. It was an incredible milestone for Fabian to speak in front of a large audience about his personal journey.
Fabian has an amazing support team in place which has allowed him to make mistakes, but feel safe and to learn from them. The Cam Can Support Workers that are working with Fabian are patient, kind and support him unconditionally.
I was happily living in Melbourne …working for Honeywell as an IT trouble-shooter…and FIFO! I had a very active life including swimming, windsurfing, dancing, cycling & was frequently socializing. I regularly visited family and friends in Perth…in short I had total Independence and enjoyed life to the fullest!
My life significantly changed on 1st of June 2009 at the Bourke St. exit off the freeway! On my way home from work, I failed to negotiate the off ramp leaving the freeway…where I collided with a concrete barrier! This is when I sustained my ABI … welcome to my nightmare!!!
I was admitted to Caulfield hospital, then flown back to Perth, with my son Josh and admitted to Shenton Park rehabilitation hospital…these were very dark and frustrating days for me!
After 12 months of improvement I was moved over to Brightwater, a group home in Victoria Park, where life was indeed brighter! I gained more independence. I chose Cam Can as my ongoing care provider and a difficult man was appointed as my Public Trustee to manage my financial affairs! With help from Cam Can I moved back into my own villa in Corbett St., Scarborough. It was like heaven after hell and I felt so very happy!
Cam Can are very diligent in matching up support workers with their members. I have two permanent carer/friends who suit me very well. Christina, Italian queen of cooking and colourful social butterfly and Janet (a good friend) assisting with all things healing…exercise, meditation, fun, travel companion & secretary and Clayton on call with IT.
In October 2012 I was fortunate to take a fabulous holiday home to Canada to attend my nieces wedding in Toronto! It was a wonderful month and as fate would have it we became aware that my sister-in-law Marlene had also suffered an ABI 5 years earlier! Marlene has been a mine of information for us to utilize in our ongoing pursuit of rehabilitation. More importantly Marlene has given me proof that with perseverance, things can and will improve over time! I sincerely thank Cam Can, Janet & all involved in this journey home…it was inspiring, freeing, supportive, very grounding to touch base with my family and friends…a life before ABI!
Since returning, Janet has got me back up on my beloved windsurfer, taken me Pub Jiving and has implemented a weekly cello lesson. Music and dance are so therapeutic and healing!
I have thankfully survived prostate cancer, with treatment, surgery and post op care administered diligently by Janet…a very challenging time requiring a lot of emotional support.
In 2015 I applied for and won my independence from the PTOs assigned administrator, supported by my team of self-chosen Cam Can professionals. I then chose to put all my affairs in order supported by Mike my estate planner. Mike is on the Cam Can board …along with myself, as an honorary member, which I do enjoy…I feel important and included.
In 2020 my independence came under threat, but my team of committed Cam Can professionals stood strong and supported me to secure my much valued independence via the State Administrative Tribunal process.
I continue to be supported by Cam Can and a wonderful bunch of people assist me to enjoy an every expanding range of interests to support my good health, wellbeing and happiness.
On that positive note I will love and leave you… Gratefully… to the many generous souls involved in getting my life back on track and supporting & sustaining my quality of life and respecting myself and my independence into the future…
A very big and heartfelt ….THANKYOU!!!
On Tuesday 26th May 2015 I found out I had a malignant brain tumour. I was a 33-year-old mother of two young children, with my son Caden, only 9 months old. I was a practicing Podiatrist and running my own successful Podiatry business. I was very active, fit and healthy, and loved to travel.
Unfortunately, Brain cancer is so much more than a cancer diagnosis, it’s also a disability. My life changed in an instant, with my neurosurgeon offering no hope for survival or treatment plan stating my brain tumour was inoperable.
Unwilling to take no for an answer eventually lead us to Sydney and to the wonderful Dr Charlie Teo, where I was offered surgery and hope. However, this surgery would come with a price, with Dr Teo explaining the surgery would cause paralysis. A few days later I underwent the risky 6 hour long brain surgery, putting my trust, faith and life in the hands of Dr Charlie Teo.
After my Brain Surgery, I had to learn how to swallow, eat, sit, stand, take my first steps and eventually walk with the aid of a stick. I required daily Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy.
This isn’t just my journey, as so many more people have been affected from my diagnosis: My husband, my children, my beautiful family and my best friends,
I required a lot of care initially following surgery, and it was very much a team effort with help needed for shopping, cooking, cleaning, babysitting, transport, research and fundraising, just to name a few.
However, the help I required could not be maintained long-term and this is where Cam Can came along. I’ll be forever grateful for the exceptional service that has been provided and for the beautiful support workers that I’ve been paired with over the years. They have helped to improve the quality of my life and allowed me to continue being a mum to my children and live as normal life as possible. It has also allowed me to continue accessing the community and have the help I needed for meal prep. Cam Can gave me my life back. Transport, community access, company, care and so much more. It’s given me a life, and given my family their life back. They can now ease off on being my ‘carers’ and instead spend quality time with me and return to living their own lives. My health journey has been a long one and is forever changing.
It’s been 6 years since my brain cancer diagnosis. I’m considered one of the lucky ones as most people diagnosed with brain cancer barely survive one year. I’ve always been a believer that behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining, you just have to keep your head up and look straight ahead to see it. This has held true with my journey. Staring death straight in the eye has also brought unexpected blessings such as crossing paths with Anthea and Marc and Cam Can. I can’t thank them enough for the care they have provided me over the last 6 years.
