Who We Help

Nadine suffered a stroke at age 16 months.

Dean and Petra had just moved to a new city with their two young daughters, Rochelle and Nadine. They were excited about the new prospects and opportunities that they faced. Just when everything was starting to fall into place, their lives began to spin out of control. Their youngest daughter, Nadine, was behaving strangely and acting quietly compared to her usual outgoing self. They took her to the doctor and were told she was suffering from stomach cramps and to take her home and let her rest. Dean and Petra took the doctor’s advice and, on the way home, Nadine’s little body went still and she did not move.

Dean and Petra rushed their daughter to the hospital. As they arrived the nurse urgently took Nadine from her parent’s arms and carried her away to the emergency ward. To their disbelief, they were informed by the doctors that their little girl, at 16 months, had suffered a stroke.

Nadine, until her stroke was a happy, bubbly child. Virtually overnight she had limited movement on the left side of her body. Nadine was induced into a coma for 10 days to relieve stress from her brain and spent another 6 weeks in intensive care. Her parents and her sister spent every agonising minute by her bedside.

As soon as Nadine was removed from intensive care she began physiotherapy, to assist with movement on the left side of her body. Doctors advised Dean and Petra that Nadine may never be able to walk.

“When she would smile the left side of her face would not move. Nadine was now very quiet and would not speak or make any sounds. We did not know what was going through her mind - she looked lost,” said Petra.

"One day, I took Nadine outside to play in the garden. As I was holding her she looked up and saw a plane. The next thing I knew she was making the sound of the plane (vroom). It was a complete shock! After months of silence it was a welcoming surprise. From that day on, I knew she was going to be okay,” said Petra.

Six months later, Nadine attended her doctor’s appointment and to his amazement, she was able to walk through his door. “The doctor was stunned at her progress,” said Dean.

Five years ago, the family moved to sunny Queensland from Tasmania. Today, Nadine is a happy twelve year old girl who enjoys horse riding, shopping and spending time with her family.

The hospital in Tasmania, where Nadine was receiving physiotherapy referred her to MontroseAccess. Since that day, Nadine and her family have never looked back. With the support of MontroseAccess, Nadine is able to receive all the assistance and therapy she needs to remain a positive and active child.

“We are so grateful to receive services from MontroseAccess. The therapists visit Nadine at her school and provide assistance with everyday problems that may arise. They are so helpful and provide Nadine and our family with a lot of support,” said Petra.

Nadine receives regular physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology from MontroseAccess. Because of the severity of the stroke, she will require ongoing physiotherapy for the rest of her life.

“Nadine especially enjoys attending MontroseAccess’s recreational camps, as it’s the only time she can attend camps and join in with the other children – there are no limitations to what she can do,” said Dean.

“Everyday we are learning something new about Nadine’s condition - we are taking one day at a time. As a family you have to work together, everyone has to make sacrifices.”

Mitchell has Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD)

Twelve years ago, if someone told Natalie and David their son Mitchell (15) would be a national champion in wheelchair sports, they would not have believed them.

Why? Because Mitchell has Duchene Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a condition which causes the progressive weakening of the body’s muscles. He has been is an electric wheelchair since he was nine years old.

Diagnosed with DMD at two-and-a-half, Mitchell’s parents have to deal with a reality that turned their world upside down. While David believed in "doing the best you can with the cards you’ve been dealt", Natalie’s initial reaction was very different.

“I ran from it for those first couple of years. I worked a lot and just wasn’t accepting it. As a mother, you take on an element of blame during the grieving process,” Natalie admits.

“But then comes the acceptance stage. Well, maybe it’s not ‘acceptance’ as such, but you learn to appreciate what you have got, rather what you haven’t got.”

“Mitchell is a constant reminder of how fortunate we are,” continues David. “If ever I get frustrated I put myself in his shoes and imagine I can’t do the littlest thing that we all take for granted.”

As a client of MontroseAccess for almost eight years, Mitchell benefits from regular physiotherapy, occupational therapy and social work to manage his condition.

He also has a carer from MontroseAccess, Brett, who comes over on weekday mornings to help him shower, stretch, eat breakfast and get dressed for school.

For Natalie, it is hard to express how invaluable Brett’s loyalty to Mitchell has been.

“I don’t know how we would manage without the continued respite we receive. To me, it’s both a gob-smacking and humbling experience to know there are still amazing people like Brett who have the empathy and dedication towards a child who is not even their own,” says Natalie.

In 2001 a ‘MontroseAccess moment’ occurred while Mitchell and his younger brother Ryan were playing outside around the family pool. Mitchell thought it would be hilarious to push Ryan in…but his wheelchair was still in forward gear! A huge splash saw Natalie come running out of the kitchen only to see little Ryan pulling a spluttering Mitchell to the side of the pool, while the electric wheelchair remained lying at the bottom of the deep end. The first person she called was Mitchell’s physiotherapist at MontroseAccess!

“The therapists are more like a family structure and they’ve helped us immeasurably through the hard times.”

“The support from MontroseAccess has been priceless to us as a family.”

Similarly, it was Mitchell’s therapists who introduced him to the world of wheelchair sports five years ago.

His passion and sporting ability soon saw him as a member of the Queensland Representative team. Since 2003 Mitchell has competed at the National Electric Wheelchair Championships.

David has been responsible for fostering Mitchell’s love of sport. Not only is he the team coach, but he drives hundreds of kilometres every weekend to get Mitchell to training and games.

“Natalie and I have always been open with Mitchell about DMD and he knows that he won’t live to be an old man. But do you know what he said? As long as my life is a happy one, I don’t mind.”

“We are so proud to have given him a great life that makes him happy. As parents, what more can you ask for?”

Georgia was born with limited mobility.

Little Georgia was only three months old when she first underwent surgery in an attempt to correct her contractures and improve her mobility. In her short life, Georgia has had three extremely painful operations – with more already scheduled in the coming years.

Diagnosed with the rare condition of Arthrogryposis, Georgia was born with multiple joint contractures which resulted in a limitation of her movement. Her muscle weakness, which often accompanies this condition, even further limits Georgia’s mobility – simple movements and actions which come naturally for most babies and toddlers just aren’t possible for Georgia.

Along with the pain, stress and emotional turmoil involved with these operations comes months of rehabilitation and therapy for both Georgia and her loving family.

Luckily, they are not alone. For over a year, Georgia and her Madonna have been receiving services from MontroseAccess.

“It can be really hard raising a child with a physical disability, with the constant appointments and medical bills, as well as the emotional strain it places on you. MontroseAccess is there through it all as a constant support for both me and Georgia,” Madonna explained.

“I can’t start to thank MontroseAccess enough for all they have done for Georgia. She really has improved in leaps and bounds since she first started seeing them.”

Georgia receives physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology, social work and orthotic services from MontroseAccess to help her reach her maximum potential. MontroseAccess not only provides these vital services and therapies at no charge, but also acts as a constant support network for Georgia and her family as they prepare her for everything the future holds – ranging from more operations to her school activities.

“Through MontroseAccess, not only has Georgia’s mobility improved, but I can also see a huge change in her confidence. She is now a bright and bubbly little girl who loves to dress up and dreams of dancing” said Madonna.

Personal Stories

Nadine, Petra & Rochelle

Mitchell & Ryan

Georgia