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The creation of this network came about simply - by families talking to families, sharing advice, offering suggestions and supporting each other. We realised that each family has different challenges at different times in their children's lives. Your family is not alone - The Umbrella Network is there to provide the information you need when you need it.
Services for familes with disabled children ARE available and on offer in our region. However the path to find them is often hard to negotiate, leaving families frustrated at an already emotional time.
We welcome any families, friends, carers or health professionals that feel they can benefit from our services or contribute to what we can offer. You can be as involved as you like or simply use the services to help in any way they can.
2010 ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
Angie D'Arcy - President
I was told once by a medical professional that a type of therapy I wanted, was "not an appropriate referral” for my daughter - just because her disability didn’t fit into the right box. This is the comment that essentially started The Umbrella Network!
Christian and myself have 3 amazing daughters, Lily, Daisy and Poppy...and now a new baby son Sam! All unique and special in there own ways. Poppy our youngest daughter, has sent us on a path that was not expected. Her diagnosis is – undiagnosed. But we know she has Global Delayed Development and ‘intellectual disability’. We hope that as we learn about Poppy – we can help other families who are travelling the same journey as us.
Karen Edwards - Vice President
My name is Karen Edwards. I have a toddler who has DS. Lauren is the joy of my life.I moved to Townsville when Lauren was 4 months old. We found it extremely difficult to find then access services. My aim is to make it easier for those who follow us. click here for more details on Down syndrome
Jocelyn Saggers - Secretary
Born in England, migrated with my family when I was 9. Lived in country Yass, Wangarratta, Taree before having a baby while living at Ayers Rock.Stayed at home running wild with 3 kids in the rain forest at Kuranda for a while until the youngest was born then we all went to school. Me as a kindergarten assistant, my baby on my back, One at kindi and one started school.
We followed Derek’s job to Townsville, by then the baby was at preschool and the next year I went to uni doing early childhood teaching. Taught several years supporting students with disabilities in class.The teachers I worked with used brain gym and that’s where I got started in kinesiology.
Then Kyle came home with Lelia and a sick but beautiful baby boy in tow. I suggested it would make life easier for everyone if I let teaching go and play support crew at home.
I now swan around do a bit of Kinesiology and little bits of grandma duty.
Thanks to Kyle, Lelia and young Derek we met up with the wonderful people at the Umbrella Network .
Anne Marie Warren - Treasurer
Jenny Kastner - Office Manager
My family and I have just moved from Kalgoorlie WA to Townsville QLD in September 2008. I have a magic husband and two fabulous teenaged boys. My youngest child is non-verbal and has a label of Autism. He is an inspiration to our family and is the glue that keeps us all together. Damien is 13 years old and has had a very troubled life. He deals with so much stress in his life often I wonder how he does it. As a family we have been through so many different therapies, emotions, strategies and devastations, but Damien continues to make us laugh and cry and we continue to believe that you never give up hope.
Astrid Hunt - Executive Member
 Steve & I have been blessed with 3 beautiful children, Angelina 7, Declan 4 and Charlotte 2½. Declan and Charlotte are both physically delayed and intellectually impaired. Over the past few years I have been through many emotions. Denial of the problem, confusion with the diagnosis, frustration at the actions taken, joy at the birth of my daughter, sadness at the realization that she was going to have problems too, frustration that nobody would listen to my mothers’ instinct, fear at seeing my son unconscious after multiple seizures. These are just some. The one that got me involved with The Umbrella Network was the frustration with receiving services.
Since connecting with other families with similar problems, not only have I been able to make better informed choices, but I have also felt supported to deal with my other emotions. I am now in a place where I can look at my family and see my husband with a renewed love at the strength we have had to gather to work through things; my beautiful, intelligent seven y.o. girl, who sees herself no differently to any other big sister; and two gorgeous little kids who love generously with their whole hearts. Just like a ‘normal’ family, only better! At this stage, Declan has been diagnosed as having a Pervasive Development Disorder with Autistic features, as well as Epilepsy. Charlotte has recently been diagnosed as having a Rare Chromosomal Disorder.
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