After 33 years at home, Alex's move into supported independent living gave him greater independence and gave his family confidence for the future.
For many families, deciding when a loved one should move into supported independent living is one of the hardest calls they’ll make.
For Jim and Benita Schoenmaker, it meant imagining life after 33 years of having their son Alex at home every day.
Looking back now, they say making the decision while they still had the time, energy and ability to support Alex through the transition made all the difference.
Today, Alex lives in an Endeavour Foundation Supported Independent Living home in Petrie, sharing the house with another resident and receiving support from dedicated staff.
For his parents, the move has brought something they hadn't expected, seeing Alex grow in confidence in ways they never thought possible.
Like many families, Jim and Benita weren't sure where to begin.
Alex had attended the Lawnton Lifestyle & Learning hub for around 15 years after finishing school.
It was there they first learnt about the opportunity to move into supported independent living.
After visiting an open home in Petrie, they could see the potential, but the process still felt daunting.
"Where do you start?" Jim said.
With support from Endeavour Foundation, they were guided through funding applications, paperwork and each stage of the transition.
Rather than moving in all at once, Alex gradually increased the number of nights he spent at the house until he was ready to make it his home full-time.
"There was no pressure to move into the house five days a week straight away," Jim said.
"It was great to have that transition phase."
Benita said the journey felt much shorter than they had imagined, in hindsight.
"We thought, well, how are we ever going to get there?” she said.
But we got there in a reasonably short time."
Since moving into his new home, Alex has developed skills his parents never expected, with simple everyday routines becoming opportunities to build independence.
"He has come on so much," Benita said.
"Things that I did not think he could do, he can actually do."
In the kitchen, Alex now helps load the dishwasher, checks what food is available, and communicates with support workers about what he needs instead of relying on everything being done for him.
He has also become more confident communicating independently, sending emails, calling his parents, and asking about their lives rather than simply listening to conversations.
Those changes have extended beyond the home.
After discovering basketball through a movie, Alex decided he wanted to play.
With support from staff, he now attends weekly basketball sessions and has developed a genuine passion for the sport.
The enthusiasm has spread through the whole family, with his siblings regularly coming along to watch him play.
"It's his drive," Benita said.
"I'm not driving it for him, and that's what's so great."
For Jim and Benita, one of the biggest changes has been the peace of mind that comes from knowing Alex is settled, supported and happy.
Now retired, they can travel knowing Alex is safe in an environment that has become his home.
"We've also got the ability to still communicate with him," Jim said.
"It gives us confidence that we can actually travel."
Instead of relying on other family members whenever they are away, Alex continues living his normal routine with the people who know and support him every day.
For Benita, letting go has been one of the biggest adjustments.
"As a mother, you're always going to nurture your child," she said.
"But to see him integrating, it’s been really good."
Even when Alex was recently unwell, they trusted the support team to care for him.
"I said to Jim, at one point, 'Do we need to go and see him?'" Benita said.
Together, they decided to let the support team care for him.
"They managed him so well."
That experience gave them confidence knowing Alex was receiving the support he needed, even when they weren't there.
One of the biggest lessons Jim and Benita have taken from the experience is that the hardest part was often letting go themselves.
Jim and Benita are glad they made the move while they could still be part of the journey, supporting Alex every step of the way.
"We'd rather do it now while we've still got the ability to be with him and share with him this experience," Benita said.
Their advice to other families is simple.
"We encourage others to take the step," Jim said.
"It is a big leap, but unless you give it a go, you never know."
For Jim and Benita, supported independent living hasn't meant stepping away from Alex's life.
Instead, it has allowed him to build one of his own, while giving the whole family confidence about the future.
Every family's journey is different, and taking the first step can feel overwhelming. Endeavour Foundation's Supported Independent Living team can guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you explore the options available for your child.