Elena Rosenblum, who is 48, lives in an IHC group home along with four friends with intellectual disabilities, and caregivers Bev and Heather.

I work with some other people with disabilities. I work full-time at a place where we make needles for vaccinating cattle. I like my work and want to continue working there in the future.

I have lived in lots of different IHC homes. I really like this IHC home. We are surrounded by good neighbours. In the summer we all get together for a neighbourhood cricket match and a barbecue. In this house I have my own room and my own TV. I don't need any support to look after myself.

Bev and Heather do the cooking but we have turns to help. We each have a week on at doing the ironing. Bev and Heather help me manage my money. I go to the Trentham races and meet up with my cousins. I put some bets on but I have a limit and I do all right. I went over to the Melbourne Cup with Heather.

The members of Elena's household are involved in lots of recreational activities. Transport can be a problem as the house is quite a distance from the main bus route. Bev and Heather have a small car to use from Monday to Thursday, but unfortunately it is too small to fit everyone in. Transport for the Special Olympics is not a problem - a van comes and picks them up and brings them home.

Elena says, "I'll be going to Christchurch later in the year to compete in the Special Olympics indoor bowls. I go to a dance club in Petone one night a week and learn old-time dancing. I get out and about on the bus and I have lots of friends who give me rides. I go to stay with my family most long weekends. We go up to the beach house at Paraparaumu with my brother and his wife and my mother. Sometimes I stay with my mother in Karori."

"I have lots of friends and I'm always busy with work, social and sporting interests."

Ode to involvement

I'm a very busy lady
With lots of things to do
There's dancing, bowls and racing
To mention just a few.

I've got a job tha's busy
From 8.30 until 4
Then home to flatmates, household jobs
And meetings by the score.

What's a disability issue?
It hasn't stopped me having fun
I've travelled to the Melbourne Cup
And picked the horse that won.

So life goes on, with busy days
I live them to the full
Enjoy yourself and get involved
That's my life's golden rule.

By Elena Rosenblum