Meet Amelia Richardson

Amelia Richardson is a happy 6 year old that loves school and is a big fan of chocolate cake and Paw Patrol. She goes to school with her best friend but unlike her classmates, Amelia requires a lot of medical attention and therapy.

Amelia was born with hearing issues. She was just 12 months old when her parents noticed that her development wasn’t following the same path as her older sister. Amelia was diagnosed with a rare chromosomal syndrome that means she faces more challenges in life than most. She has only recently learned to feed herself, is still unsteady on her feet and learning to use the toilet, and she has a number of behavioural issues which can be challenging for her family.

Loving Amelia is easy but parenting and providing her with the care she needs takes a lot of understanding, time and attention.

How Kurajong helps Amelia:

Kurrajong first came to Amelia’s aid by helping her parents to ensure she receives the medical attention, diagnosis and support she needed as a small child.

Through Kurrajong’s Therapy Plus, Amelia works with a physiotherapist, speech therapist and occupational therapist. In addition to caring for Amelia, Kurrajong also helps her family by providing ongoing guidance and emotional support at when its needed, like when the team developed a special book for Amelia’s big sister, Sophie, to help explain why Amelia needs to go to therapy.

Amelia’s parents are certain that without Kurrajong, Amelia’s development and their life would not be where it is today.

“It can be really hard. We get emotional and stressed out sometimes, but Kurrajong has been on the journey with us, and we have formed a really good connection. We’d be lost without them.”