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Living life her way: Helen’s story
This World Cerebral Palsy Day, we’re celebrating Helen, a much-loved...
Annika Du Alo
At just a few days old, Annika Du Alo was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a rare and complex brain malformation, and infantile epileptic spasm syndrome.
The diagnosis would shape the course of her development and her family’s life forever.
But as her mum, Daphne, says simply: “She’s a fighter.”
“My husband and I are both in nursing,” Daphne said. “We never thought we would be caring for a baby who has complex needs in our own home. It’s completely different to anything we’ve experienced. The care is very specific and involved, especially emotionally.”
In her early months, Annika experienced active epileptic spasms, even during sleep.
“They weren’t typical seizures,” Daphne explained. “She would cry, her arms would curl in, and her eyes would move outwards. It was very distressing.”
The story continues...
Annika’s early months were filled with hospital visits and uncertainty. Then at nine months old, she was connected with Rocky Bay’s Early Start Intervention Program (ESIP), an evidence-based service delivered at no cost to eligible families with children under five.
From their first interaction with the ESIP team, Daphne says the experience felt different.
“From the moment we started with ESIP, we felt heard. They didn’t just focus on Annika’s diagnosis; they cared about our needs as a family.”
Rocky Bay’s multidisciplinary model brought physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists together to support Annika in the place she felt safest, in her home.
“She cries in the car, so home visits made such a difference,” Daphne said. “They explain the process smoothly. At the time, we were clueless – we knew all about normal baby needs as we already had Rachel (their five-year-old), but we didn’t know how to care for a baby with complex needs.”
Over the following months, ESIP became a cornerstone of Annika’s development. Therapists worked in partnership with the family to set meaningful goals and embed therapy into daily routines. Sessions were scheduled around Annika’s nap times to ensure she could participate at her best.
“They listen and they’re so attentive,” Daphne said. “They give realistic instructions, one step at a time. It takes a team. They come together and make it work for us.”
This collaborative approach reflects Rocky Bay’s commitment to family-centred practice, empowering families to build skills, confidence and capability in everyday life.
How we helped
One of Annika’s most significant challenges was feeding. Due to low muscle tone and motor delays, she wasn’t ready for solids at six months.
“It wasn’t safe,” Daphne explained. “It was like having a newborn. Her arms and trunk were floppy or stiff; her tongue and mouth had delayed movements, we had to hold her upright most of the time.”
Through ESIP’s Paediatric Feeding Team, Daphne and her family received the support they needed. Annika began smooth purees at eight months and is now transitioning to thicker textures and minced foods.
To support her growth while in a low weight percentile, Daphne prepares six small meals a day.
While there are still challenging days, Annika has made meaningful progress in her feeding skills and overall wellbeing.
Growing confidence for the future
Beyond therapy sessions, the ESIP team supported Annika’s family to prepare for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), assisting with documentation and advocacy.
As Annika transitions into her next stage of funded support, her family feels better prepared and more hopeful.
“Trust the process,” Daphne said. “It’s not perfect, but there’s always a path to take. Early intervention is essential in the early years for positive improvement of the child. Take advantage of community support if you ever need it. ESIP is a beneficial support system for every child with special needs.”
Rare Disease Day
28 February marks Rare Disease Day, a global initiative to raise awareness and advocate for improved access to treatment, support and representation for people living with rare diseases.
Annika’s story highlights the critical role early intervention plays for children with rare and complex conditions, and the importance of community support in ensuring families can access life-changing services.
“We’re doing it for her,” said Daphne. “We’re praying for her every day and always. She has every love and support from us. There’s always uncertainty but there is an insight of what we’ll be dealing with in years to come. It won’t be a smooth journey for sure, but with the right people onboard, Annika’s complex needs will be attended to early on and will significantly help her growth and development. It’s an amazing gift to look after our beautiful Annika.”
A few words
“Trust the process. It’s not perfect, but there’s always a path to take. Early intervention is essential in the early years for positive improvement of the child. Take advantage of community support if you ever need it. ESIP is a beneficial support system for every child with special needs.”
- Annika's mother, Daphne
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