Jackson West Needs A Home – Can You Help?
I have started studying Certificate III in Disability. The certificate is an accreditation that allows me to work with people who have a disability and give support to Community Services.
You may ask why am I writing this article about disabilities. The reason is, I have suffered from a disability as a result of a motor cycle accident I had when I was a teenager. I’m doing this course so I can give back to the community for the care I received from Doctors, Nurses, Health and Community Services in Australia.
The people who do this work are unsung heroes who expect nothing in return for their tireless efforts to care, support and protect the rights of people with disabilities.
Today I learned about a website that touched my heart. It showed the love and concern of a mother for her 24 year old son, Jackson West who suffers from a rare form of autism.
After researching Jackson West, I wrote this article to share his story with you.
Our teacher showed us a website about Jackson West who suffers from Phelan McDermid Syndrome a very rare form of autism. He lives in Canberra, Australia. I was really impressed by the love, concerns and effort Jackson’s mother has done to help Jackson get a job (his own business) and find a place to live when she passes away.
Here are two videos (split) that was broadcast on Channel Nine – Sixty Minutes TV Program, Australia. Telling Jackson West’s story.
Beating The Odds – Part 1
Beating The Odds – Part 2
As noted on Jackson West website, Jackson’s mother Sally Richards ” is a family leader, innovator and disability activist. She presents nationally and internationally on building connected, meaningful lives for people with disabilities”.
Jackson’s father, Mac West, suffered with a mental disorder bipolar 2 disorder. Unfortunately he committed suicide on June 2nd 2009. Not only has Jackson’s mother had to be strong and supportive for her son, but she has also suffered the loss of her husband.
Sally Richards and two other mothers, Cheryl Pattrick and Karen Connaughton have established a project since 2005 called Getting A Life (GAL). The project was established in an effort to build a block of apartments that will include three units for their sons. The reason for this project is so their sons will have a safe and secure home to live when their parents pass away.
Hearing this story really touched my heart. Thank goodness for the love of mothers and a woman’s maternal instincts to protect and care for (their) children and the disabled.
This Certificate III in Disability course is opening my eyes to a world that most of us have only glimpsed at.
Sally Richards, Cheryl Pattrick and Karen Connaughton are using the internet with two websites to tell the world their story. They need your support to fulfill their dream, making sure their sons live a happy and fulfilled life. If you can help them in any way, please contact them:
Leave a comment on this blog and let me know what you thought of this story.
References:
Jackson West website: http://www.jacksonwest.org/
Jackson West’s Future Home: http://gettingalife.com.au/index.php?section=1
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22q13_deletion_syndrome
Wikipedia Autism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autism
Good day, I thought I would provide a brief update as we have not been in a position to update the web pages. The ACT Governement has allocated some land for the development of the intentional community and we have been involved in a number of discussion with the Government architectes to discuss design. Things are progressing vey nicely in that front. Unfortunately Jackson has been unwell with an infection which has affected his ability to move his left leg. He is currenly in hospital undertaking intenive physio. So poor Sal has been confronted with another challange in her life.
kind regards Karen
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