Kathleen’s story speaks to the often-unspoken realities of parenting a child with complex needs, and the hope that emerges when the right support comes into place.
There is a word I recently learned that resonates deeply with many parents of children with complex needs: exulansis. It means giving up on trying to explain an experience because others are unable to relate to it. I would add that even when they can relate, they often do not have viable solutions.
I always say I am grateful that most people do not understand what it is like, because it is a heartbreaking world to live in. But then, Laurel Supports came into our lives, and Kavita, Sherry, and Julie opened my heart to the feeling of possibility.
Two years ago, Community Living Victoria brought Hayley and Laurel Supports to my son’s care home. At the time, I do not think anyone expected just how transformative that decision would be. What followed was not a few small adjustments. It was the realization that everything needed to change, and thank goodness, at last, someone saw what we had been seeing all along.
The team brought practical solutions, training, and compassion to a home that desperately needed it. I do not use the word desperately lightly.
One moment, in particular, has stayed with me. I remember standing in the viewing room with Kavita when my son reached for her. My immediate instinct was to pull her hand back, afraid he might hurt her. She looked at me gently and said, “It’s okay, I am fine.” In that moment, I knew I had met someone who truly understood my fear and who could help my son.
My son needs a lot of support, but he also needs a team of caregivers who are equipped with the right tools and understanding to care for him well. Laurel Supports has spent days working directly alongside his caregivers, offering hands-on training, listening closely, and helping them develop practical strategies for navigating difficult moments. All of his caregivers are grateful and feel better positioned to respond to the behaviour challenges that arise.
As any parent of a child with high support needs knows, finding any type of support is difficult. Finding support that truly understands and follows through is a gift.
Laurel Supports has been a gift in my life, and a lifeline for my son. In so many ways, that has made them a lifeline for me too.