Issue #1 March 2022
Sabine’s
Christmas Wish Because of your generosity, Sabine's wish was granted! As a baby, Sabine was having up to 50 seizures a day, leaving her developing brain overwhelmed. And now, due to her erratic and involuntary movements, she needs extra help to get around and stay safe. Sabine had always loved spending time in the ocean with her family, but getting there became more difficult. Without a special beach-ready wheelchair, Sabine's mum Hilda had to carry her. And as Sabine grew older and heavier, it meant that a simple trip to the beach was no longer possible. But thanks to you, and many more caring supporters just like you, the $7,019 All-Terrain Beach Wheelchair has been added to the Ability WA Equipment Library. So now, Sabine and her family can visit the beach and once again enjoy this special family time together doing something they all love.
"Sabine's seizures have robbed her of so much. She has had so many challenges and deserves all the fun, freedom and new experiences we can give her. I'm so incredibly moved that generous people, who have never even met my beautiful daughter, would do this special thing for her.
You are all heroes in my eyes.
To see Sabine and her brothers splashing about in the water together was the best Christmas present I could have hoped for." – Hilda, Sabine's mum. Thank you for your gift that made this possible, which has made such an incredible difference to this Perth family. To see Sabine and her family enjoying the beach again, visit www.abilitywa.com.au/sabine
Life After School Finding independence and leading a fulfilling life
are aspirations that most parents have for their children. It can be extra challenging and overwhelming for parents of children living with a disability, but YOU are shining a bright light for those in need. Thinking about what 17 year old Kaisah was going to do after school was incredibly daunting for her family. Kaisah wanted to find her independence and lead a fulfilling life, and her family desperately needed help to find a pathway to make this happen. Kaisah was born with cerebral palsy and has spastic quadriplegia. She was one of ten teenagers in Ability WA’s Life After School pilot program – funded with your generous donations - to help teenagers living with disability chart a meaningful life once they finish school.
What an incredible difference your gift has made! Kaisah discovered a passion for floristry and a love for nature photography. And once she finishes school, she's looking forward to work experience at Ability WA’s Goodwill Engineering. "Our focus is now on planning what Kaisah will do rather than just worrying about it." Said Kaisah’s mum Kas.
“The self-confidence each participant gained was incredibly inspiring, as they each developed their own unique and achievable pathway to pursue upon leaving school." Said Project Lead Gareth Goodway. “I was so proud when they each had a lightbulb moment and realised what they wanted to do.” Your support has an amazing impact on empowering people to realise their abilities. Thank you for your ongoing gifts, which support young people living with disability.
Oliver’s Dream Thanks to you, and your gifts to Ability WA, families are learning how to thrive with their children with developmental delays. Eleven year old Oliver has significant physical disabilities and an immune disorder and has been a regular visitor to Ability WA since he was a baby. His mum, Sarah, believes that the support that Oliver received in his early years played a big part in helping him achieve the abilities he has today. “Oliver went from barely being able to move, to sitting up by himself.” She said. Sarah and Oliver attended Ability WA’s Early Intervention Playgroup and embraced the experience. She says, “It was so fun and engaging. All of the kids loved playing and doing different activities that helped with their speech, movement, social skills and more.” “It’s what these kids needed. They played without realising how hard they were working towards their milestones,” said Oliver’s mum, Sarah. Providing additional supports and services to a child with developmental delays and their families in these early years is crucial to maximising their development. According to Early Intervention Team Leader Kirstie Denning, providing the right advice, information and connections for families while their children are in their early years has a significant impact on their abilities as they get older. “Providing this extra help while they are young makes a huge difference. It will give some kids a way to communicate with their loved ones. For others, it might be the difference between being able to sit up on their own or explore their environment.” Kirstie said.
“The happiness and pride these children and their families feel when they achieve their goals and master their abilities is so moving. It inspires me every day.” - Kirstie, Team Leader Sarah shares, “Oliver is one of those kids who wants to be independent. He’s a strong-willed, determined boy. I love that about him! When he was seven, during hydrotherapy, he actually managed to walk halfway across the pool on his own. I was in tears. I was so proud! I just thought, oh my – my baby is walking!”
Oliver’s Dream Cont’d over page
Oliver’s Dream Cont’d
Unfortunately, during one of the recent COVID-19 lockdowns, Oliver had to miss some regular treatments that help his very tight muscles and freedom of movement. According to Sarah, “I don’t think he ever really recovered from that. His legs have never been the same.” Oliver’s muscle tone is now so bad that he literally can’t straighten his legs anymore, is no longer able to stand up on his own and is also struggling to sit up by himself.
But Oliver is determined to walk one day, and Sarah will do whatever she can to help him reach his goal. “His favourite phrase is ‘I want to walk,’ says Sarah. “So I pick him up out of his chair, hold him under his arms and we ‘walk’ to different rooms of the house. He loves it and tells me, ‘My turn to walk, Mummy’ because he wants to do it all on his own. But I have to tell him, ‘If I let you go now, you’re going to fall.” Oliver continues to receive physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and hydrotherapy. He’s also recently had surgery on his legs to release and lengthen his muscles.
With your continued support for Ability WA, families like Sarah’s are thriving, while children just like Oliver, may one day walk on their own.
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Thank you for the difference you make March News 2022