Until very recently, Giban felt hopeless. He was living in a small, uncomfortable space and often felt overlooked. He was insulin dependent, very overweight and spent most of his days without much human contact.  

People around him had doubts about what kind of life he could have. There were real concerns about whether it would be possible to support him safely and help him live a full and meaningful life. 

But things changed when he moved into his new home, supported by SeeAbility. 

The team at Jacobs Close saw Giban’s potential straight away. They spent time listening, learning and coming together to make sure he had the support he needed. They went above and beyond and focused on kindness, communication and trust and made sure he felt listened to. 

A fresh start with food and fitness 

One of the biggest shifts was in his diet. Giban has always loved food, but before moving, he lacked support to make the healthy choices necessary to manage his diabetes and feel well. His support team started with developing his home cooking, working with him to cook meals he enjoys, whilst keeping them balanced and nutritious. Now he only has one takeaway a week and makes sure his portions are just right. This hasn’t just had an impact on his diabetes, but how he feels, every day. It has encouraged him to make good decisions for himself. While before he was in a downward spiral of bad habits, by taking control of his diet, he started to feel like a better life was really possible.  

So next, he began to exercise. Every morning, without fail, Giban and his support workers headed out for a 1.5-mile walk, whatever the weather, even on days when most of us would rather stay in. This consistency helped him build a strong habit, proving to himself that he could commit to positive changes.   

Through this love of exercise, Giban found a new passion for sport, particularly badminton. The court has become a place where he can challenge himself, have fun and connect with others. The wide court, where he can meet friends and stay fit, seems a thousand miles away from that small, uncomfortable room he was in only a year before. Through badminton, he’s made new friends, built his confidence, and found a sense of belonging.  

A life-changing milestone 

With all these changes, Giban’s biggest achievement of all, and one he’s incredibly proud of, is he no longer needs to rely on insulin. Managing his diabetes used to feel like a constant struggle. But with his hard work, and the right support around him, he has taken control of his health. His support team still checks his blood sugar levels regularly to make sure he stays healthy and continues to do well. 

He has also lost over three stone in weight. He has gone from wearing XXL clothes to size M, and says he feels good about how he looks and feels. This boost in confidence has opened up new hopes for building relationships and feeling more connected to others.

“I do meaningful things now. I never realised how much my life has improved since I moved into my new home.” 

Dreams, goals and the future 

His days are now full of meaningful activities and he’s always busy, so much so that even professionals visiting need to plan ahead to see him! After dreaming for years about going back to college, Giban has a meeting soon to start the process of enrolling. He wants to study cooking and dreams of becoming a chef. 

He is also learning the guitar and enjoys swimming and bowling. Every day is now filled with things he enjoys, and his routines are helping him succeed. 

None of this would have been possible without the commitment and determination of his support team. By truly listening to what Giban wanted from life, and believing in what was possible, they have supported him to build the kind of life he had longed for - one filled with health, purpose, connection and joy. 

This is just the beginning for Giban. With his determination and the right support, he knows he can keep moving forward. And with each new challenge he takes on, he is showing just how much is possible.