Helping to give a voice to children with special needs

Holy Rosary School Doubleview Parents and Friends Association
Inclusive. Dedicated. Inspiring

Rebecca Watson became a champion for children with special needs when her daughter Marlee was diagnosed with Rett syndrome.

The little girl was unable to communicate verbally until she received an eye-gaze computer that speaks the words as she looks at them on the screen.

With Rebecca’s help, teachers and aides at the Holy Rosary School Doubleview are helping her daughter and other special needs children use the devices.

“The more Marlee’s aides learned, the more expressive she became. It allowed her to be seen and share her thoughts,” Rebecca says.

She is excited to be voted a Westfield Local Hero as it means more people will be aware that people who can’t talk or gesture can still communicate.

“It’s just amazing when you see people realise others can understand them.

“Once people believe someone understands what they are saying, they treat them differently and involve them in so many more things,” she says.

Rebecca has now changed careers to help children who use communication devices at other schools, which she describes as the most rewarding job she has had.

Rebecca and Marlee have presented their journey at conferences and workshops to spread awareness about what is possible with the right support.

“I am passionate about demonstrating how children living with complex communication needs and severe body movement disorders just want to learn and do what their friends do,” says Rebecca.

“These children can make great friendships, be stimulated and learn age appropriately.”

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation.

The Holy Rosary School Doubleview Parents and Friends Association will use its grant to fulfil a long-held dream to purchase a Sway Fun Glider that allows children in wheelchairs and their friends to play together.

“At the moment there is no easy way for them to play together on equipment.

This will allow them to just be together as friends and will provide stimulating play for all children, including those in wheelchairs,” says Rebecca.

__For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here. __