About

I spent the next few years fumbling my way through appointments and websites with many tears and much frustration, but I eventually discovered that some of the best information would come from other parents. People who understood the daily challenges, frustrations, and wins the most!

In addition to that much-needed advice, I read and listened to copious books, reports, and websites, pulling apart ideas to readapt to our situation. And at that time, I picked our motto “If at first we don’t succeed, try, try again” and that’s what we do.

Alex was 2yrs and 10mths when diagnosed with what’s now described as Level 3 ASD, non-verbal, intellectually impaired, and ADHD, and is now a teenager­. He has his good days and sometimes not so good, and we as a family are a fluid work in progress with our structure, routine, and ideas. Some days are very routine driven and others we throw caution to the wind and create chaos, as with Alex we’ve found that it’s during adversity and change that he has made his greatest accomplishments.

Alex finds going to the cricket overwhelming yet exciting. He is always given the choice and the occasions are planned out to the finest detail—from the sensory gear down to the snacks—trying to cover every need and pre-empt the wants to keep it positive, and we generally leave 10 minutes before the end. And given that choice each year he says he wants to go, and so we do.

It was at the cricket when a man came and sat next to me and said, “I just want to say it gets easier”. He then told me his family’s story. I find us parents recognise other people with similar challenges and it helps to know you’re not alone when you’re having a hard day. And from this, offering words of support is a favour I have always tried to return when the situation arises.

I have two wants for Alex, the first and primary is for him to be happy. I also want him to be prepared for the world without me because let’s face it, I have a 33year head start on him, so I have to prep him. And there is so much to do, but in bite sizes, we can do it. However, it will take the village to raise our child. Simply because if it’s always us then he’ll never learn to function without us, and with the use of the many NDIS providers weaved through his everyday life we hope to prepare Alex for his life.

Recently, I was sitting listening to a friend speak of ‘sleepovers’, and I thought well that’s something I won’t have to worry about. Then, later on, I was thinking, well it may suit me to not have to worry about that but that’s not fair on Alex. Once I had someone tell me that I was lucky that I wouldn’t have to deal with teaching him to drive a car, nor him entering the dating scene. I remember getting myself all worked up about it and my husband sat me down and said that no one can tell us what our son can or can’t do, because no one, not me, not a doctor, not a stranger will place limitations on what he can achieve.

And this was my little light bulb moment. It felt a bit like Alex turning his train around in the light and changing the perspective, and I had a whole new vision of the same situation.

How could I create an environment that was fun and safe where Alex could visit for an overnight stay… a place where children of all abilities can experience sleep overs with their friends from school? And out of that moment, the seeds of Our Place, Your Home were sown.

Like many Young People with the same or similar conditions, Alex attends a Special School, so why can’t they get one or two of their best friends (with NDIS) together and have their own slumber parties? They’ve known these friends for years and feel comfortable together. Some kids will want or need to stay longer, and that is an option, but I wanted to offer the party idea, I wanted to be able to say to Alex “do you want to have a slumber party with your best friend tonight?”. I want him to learn how to build other relationships but with people that he already knows.

OPYH is that place, where children of all abilities get to enjoy a weekend of games, making cookies, cupcakes, and mini pizzas. They can build independence but with friends, and parents get to see their child grow and experience things that although challenging, also has that element of fun. So how about some face painting and water play, or slime and lego, before returning home after a weekend of fun!