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The scheme in Forest Hill forms part of the Town Hall’s “Building for Lewisham” programme, which provides new social homes for young adults with autism, allowing them to live independently away from their families, often for the first time in their lives.
Zackary, who has previously been living with his mum and sister in Brockley, expressed his delight over moving in. He described his experience of living independently as “a real confidence booster”. He said: “I always thought I could do it, and once you’re given the confidence to do one thing, it gives you the confidence to go on to the next thing,” he said.
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“I’ve always liked the idea of living alone and being independent, so this is a great opportunity of getting full control – for example being able to decide when and what I can eat.
“I get to do the shopping, to cook, to decide how everything looks.
“It was a really exciting opportunity because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it – when I was diagnosed at a young age, the doctors said that I’d never able to live on my own, that I wouldn’t get far and would always need care.
“So part of this was proving them wrong as well.”
He added that his new home looks “amazing”
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