This World Cerebral Palsy Day, we’re celebrating Helen, a much-loved Rocky Bay customer whose infectious smile, busy social calendar and determination to give anything a go have made her something of a local celebrity.

Ask most six-year-olds, and their primary goal is to run the fastest, jump the highest or swing the furthest! For Rocky Bay customer Rhiannon, these everyday playground activities come with unique challenges, meaning keeping up with her friends became more difficult.

For mum of two, Emma, toilet training wasn’t just about teaching a new skill. It was about helping her five-year-old son, Hunter, overcome a panic attack-inducing fear that had become a major barrier to his independence.

As Speech Pathology Week begins, Sarah Robertson’s story is a powerful reminder of how the right communication supports can open up new opportunities to connect with others, make choices and take part in the moments that matter most.

For Matt, moving into his own one-bedroom unit marks the achievement of a long-held goal. After two years in shared supported accommodation, he has taken the next step towards greater independence and a lifestyle that reflects his aspirations.

Customer Connor Rowntree is a bit of a legend among the Rocky Bay team, with his super smiley face and lovable nature charming everyone he meets.

Jamie is one of our wonderful Rocky Bay customers. He has down syndrome and is primarily non-verbal, communicating through an app on his iPad. Increasingly, he was using it to ask for one thing. Friends.

We all have someone who truly understands us. For Rocky Bay customer Nadine Andrews, that person is support worker Leanne Morton, whose commitment to understanding Nadine’s unique way of communicating has helped create new opportunities for choice, participation and independence through active support.

How can you make the most of living in the present while also planning for an uncertain future? For Caroline Hughes, that’s a question she has to consider almost every day.

Rocky Bay customer Jodi loves “anything loud and proud” when it comes to music. Despite being largely non-verbal, Jodi’s mum, Jill, says that she likes to sing along with everything, “as long as it’s noisy!”

For Marissa and Jackie, a recent trip to Rottnest Island was more than just a holiday, it was a chance to explore somewhere new, build confidence, and create lasting memories together.

Sandra is one of Rocky Bay’s resident social butterflies, filling her days with colour, conversation and a wide range of creative pursuits.

Lisa Williams, one of our supported accommodation customers hadn’t been on a short stay holiday for a few years and so recently some of our supported accommodation colleagues came together to help plan, prepare and travel with Lisa for a short stay in Western Australia’s Southwest.

For Manny Vogatzis, there has always been one dream he’s wanted to achieve; recording his own music CD, and thanks to Our Wishing Tree program, he’s recently been able to make that dream a reality.

From basketball to lawn bowls, horse riding to cricket. Joe’s played them all. These days, one of his biggest passions is powerchair hockey, and in January, thanks to our Wishing Tree Program, Joe had the opportunity to represent Western Australia at the National Club Championships in Sydney.

For the past few months, a bright, sunny day on the last Saturday of the month means one thing for Marissa. A beach day or, more specifically, a chance to catch some waves.

Customer James received a “10/10 thumbs up” from his housemates for his recent cooking skills, serving up a delicious kofta ball dish at one of our supported accommodation houses using custom recipe cards.

In 2021 Henry Duca – a happy, cheeky and determined two-year-old – had already faced many challenges in his short life, reached and smashed many therapy goals within Rocky Bay’s Early Start Intervention Program (ESIP), which is funded by Telethon, and focuses on intervention for children with rare diseases.

For most of us, a playground is a place to have fun, whether it’s swinging on the monkey bars or racing down the slides. However, for seven-year-old Oskar, a playground is essential for his emotional and behavioural regulation.

For four-year-old Hailey Somerfield, who lives with KAT6 Syndrome (an extremely rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder), art is more than a pastime, it’s her language.

Across the north of the river, down Joondalup way, a challenge was brewing. 6 Pokémon trainers, 3 tasks, one winner, and it all started with a matching outfit and an idea.

Geraldton mum Janelle knows only too well the challenges of juggling work, parenting, and being a wife, all while fighting for appropriate and timely support for kids with disabilities living in regional WA. Which is where Lady Lawley Cottage comes in.

For two-year-old Elishah Kentwell and three-year-old Bohdi Adamson-Holmes, Hydro Heroes has been making a huge difference.

Chris Wallace’s life changed in January of 2018, leading him down the path of physical rehabilitation and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to support his speech.

For Rocky Bay Occupational Therapist, Bec Stafford, this year’s theme for World International Occupational Therapy Day “Occupational Therapy in Action,” couldn’t be more fitting, especially when she reflects on the progress of four-year-old Miles.

For single mum Elena, caring is not just something she does, it is who she is. As the devoted mother of four children, including her second-born son Jackson, who lives with a rare and complex form of congenital muscular dystrophy (Dystroglycanopathy type B), Elena’s life is a daily act of love, patience, and resilience.

Neil recently experienced his very first trip without his family, flying into Balinese paradise with housemate Jason. The duo, supported by Rocky Bay Support Workers Kim Meagher and Daniela Janusevski, enjoyed the luxurious surrounds of WAHA Villa Uluwatu for five unforgettable days.

Rocky Bay Physiotherapist Freya and Customer Louis Celebrate Progress on World Physiotherapy Day.

For most parents, hearing their child say “I love you” is a moment they will never forget. For five-year-old Aden’s mum, Murayad

When Rocky Bay customer Shaun set his sights on a beachside getaway, his support team made it happen!

Neil has been kicking goals lately and his most recent one was a delicious success. He surprised Jasmine with a three-course meal featuring all of her favourite foods.

For this group of Rocky Bay customers, playing for an all abilities rugby team is about mateship, inclusion and the shared joy of taking to the field.

Sonya’s original goal was simple: eat better and lose some weight. With the help of Rocky Bay Dietician Alex, that goal has become a reality.

Thanks to Rocky Bay’s Wishing Tree, Blake has been gifted his own camera, allowing him to pursue his creative passions, an important part of his identity.

Rocky Bay customer Neil is mainly non-verbal and has grown into a happy, healthy and thoughtful young man who loves people, travelling, dancing and music.

Mandy has found happiness, independence and a place to call home with Shift Accessible Homes’ Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), thanks to the support of Rocky Bay.

A weekend at Rocky Bay’s ‘Beach House’ left Christine the most excited she’s ever been.

International Wheelchair Day is a day to celebrate the positive impact a wheelchair has on the lives of wheelchair users.

The Rhythm Rangers program at Rocky Bay is helping children form new friendships while developing self-regulation, impulse control, attention and movement coordination skills.

Kennedy makes strides in her development through Rocky Bay’s hippotherapy program.

When Rocky Bay customer Peter’s much anticipated respite stay in Perth seemed impossible due to funding constraints, emergency respite provided support.

Rocky Bay was thrilled to brighten the festive season for our customers and their families by sharing tickets to the Perth’s Special Children’s Christmas Party, kindly provided to us by the event organisers.

For Hilda, mother of Rocky Bay customer Elina, the option of respite care at the Bush Retreat has been a game-changer, not only for her daughter but also in allowing Hilda to focus on herself.

Alyssa and Paul Turner’s three children access support at Rocky Bay, with Chayton and Inola recently benefitting from the Telethon-funded Early Start Intervention Program (ESIP).

Rocky Bay customer Steven benefits from regular hydrotherapy sessions, playing a significant role in maintaining his independence.

Four-year-old Rocky Bay customer Rhiannon starts each morning asking her parents if she can jump on her brand-new trampoline

At Rocky Bay’s Ascot Hub, support worker Brad and customer Ruth have a shared love of music.

Support Worker Ariel Katzir has been coaching Rocky Bay customers to develop artistic skills, enhancing life experiences.

At Rocky Bay, customers like Ellen are experiencing the benefits of hydrotherapy, a specialised form of therapy conducted in water.

A popular fantasy tabletop role-playing game ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ is helping Rocky Bay customers enhance a broad range of skills.

For Rocky Bay customer Michael and his family, the journey into Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) has been a significant and emotional chapter of their lives.

Rocky Bay customer Bernie can now visit the Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm all year round, thanks to a generous donation from the Wishing Tree.

Darryl Dempster continues to shine in the art world with his exhibition “DooDoo” at the annual Revealed exhibition in the Fremantle Arts Centre, drawing attention from New York art curators.

Lyndon, a valued and dedicated Rocky Bay customer, brings smiles to staff members’ faces across our hubs!

After 38 years of living under the same roof as his parents, he’s about to embark on a new adventure- moving into his very own home at SHIFT’s Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Duncraig.

Hailey is a cheeky two-year-old who recently took part in our Early Start Intervention Program (ESIP) which is funded with the help of Telethon. Hailey is one of five Australians living with KAT6 syndrome, a rare neurodevelopmental disorder.

A., a 16-year-old female with Angelman syndrome, has recently achieved a significant milestone—she is now continent after spending her entire life in nappies.

Matthew is chasing his dreams with the help of Rocky Bay. He recently volunteered as a ball boy in the Para Football Final and participated as a player in the curtain raiser.

Shift Accessible Homes is enhancing independence and contributing to new experiences for people living with disability, in Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA).

Lileigh, a vibrant 16-year-old with a passion for art and cooking, is a regular attendee of Rocky Bay’s Schools Out Holiday Program at Lady Lawley Cottage, a fun, interactive environment where school age customers can come and enjoy a range of activities in small groups.

Henry Duca is four years old and one of five children currently accessing Hippotherapy at Rocky Bay, and has made significant gains in his strength and mobility.

A combination of support and determination can be life changing, something that seven-year-old Knox Henderson is proof of.   
 Knox has been accessing therapy services and is making great progress.

Despite his difficult start to life, Thomas Marchetto is a bright and social nearly 3-year-old who loves his food and playing outdoors.

Twenty-year-old Mason Byworth, who lives with autism, recently experienced his first an overnight stay at the Bush Retreat, Rocky Bay’s respite guest house, allowing both he and his family time to recharge. He was slowly introduced to the new environment with the support of the Bush Retreat team.

Forging an exciting new career path was something 29-year-old Julie Marie Carrasco did not imagine for herself, but with encouragement and support she is beginning to change the course of both her professional and personal life.

Carlos Saunders is a cheeky 11-year-old, who receives community services from Rocky Bay. Carlos lives in Rockingham with his mum.