A stroke may have impacted their lives, but Graeme and Laurian aren’t letting it get in the way of their 55-year love story.

Laurian, 72 met Graeme when she was just 15, they got married in 1969 and have three children and 12 grandchildren.

They were dealt a tough blow when Graeme suffered a stroke in 2009. Graeme was doing alterations to their home when he noticed something was wrong. He couldn’t move his left arm to help him get up, so the couple went to the doctors, and it was there that he had the stroke.

By the time he got to the hospital he was completely unresponsive – unable to eat, move or anything. Laurian was told by doctors that they thought he wouldn't survive the year.

The couple were living in Hamilton at the time and moved to Tauranga to be closer to their daughter. They initially had in-home support, but Laurian was frustrated with the care they were receiving – different people coming all the time.

They were told Graeme needed to move into a rest home. However, Laurian didn’t want to be apart and feared he would die in a rest home.

In search of a better solution to meet their needs – Graeme and Laurian discovered Individualised Funding through Manawanui.

Laurian said: ‘Going on the Individualised Funding trial was the best decision I ever made. It made my life so much better. Graeme is very high needs, so I pick my carers carefully and they are just wonderful’

Now aged in their 70s, the couple has peace of mind knowing their caregivers provide the support needed. “Our caregivers are just the most amazing people, and they are well versed with what Graeme needs.

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