A not-for-profit organisation is calling on Sunshine Coast residents to help young Australians with disabilities find forever homes.
Locals can make a tax-deductable donation to Youngcare’s annual Tax Appeal, until June 30, to help those living with severe physical disabilities to find appropriate accommodation.
Money raised will support Youngcare’s mission to build specialist disability accommodation (SDA), provide funding for grant programs and operate the Youngcare Connect support line, which offers free disability-related information and advice for all.
Supporters have helped Youngcare build SDA houses at 12 locations in Australia and provide more than $11 million in grants for essential items, home modifications and services for young people with severe physical disabilities, including Stephanie Pidd from the Sunshine Coast.
The Maleny 29-year-old is living with ataxia-telangiectasia and, over time, has lost the coordination to control her motorised wheelchair by herself, and finds it difficult and tiring to sit upright in her wheelchair all day.
With a great love of spending time outside with horses and her assistance dog Moe, Steph applied for a ‘tilt-in-space’ wheelchair to make going out more comfortable.
She also uses an all-terrain wheelchair, which weighs more than 100kg but is better suited to her time outside.
However, these chairs are bulky and hard to lift, requiring a modified van for transport.
Her mother, Beverly, said something had to be done to accommodate the chairs.
“We’ve put off buying a van forever, knowing the expense and everything involved,” she said.
“But it came to crunch time and we needed it so we could get her around safely. It was getting to the stage where Steph was too tired and didn’t want to do the transfer – she didn’t want to go out anymore.”
With Youngcare’s support in obtaining a modified van, Steph is now able to go out like any other young woman and enjoy her life in the community, including getting involved in arts and crafts, cooking and attending her horsemanship course.
Youngcare CEO Greg Johnson said the end of financial year was the perfect time to give a tax-deductable donation, helping bring equality and opportunity to the lives of young Australians living with high physical support needs.
“We are grateful for our generous donors and supporters, without whom we wouldn’t be able to support young people with physical disabilities – like Steph – and their families when unexpected challenges arise,” he said.
“One of our important initiatives is building specialist disability accommodation – purpose-built housing that is designed specifically to suit high physical support needs, while exceeding industry standards.
“Our housing is just one way we advocate for young members of society with disabilities, to ensure they are heard, valued and included in their communities.”
Meanwhile, Stephanie was among those to take part in a cake-baking challenge, which is set to provide much-needed support to thousands of young people with specials needs.
Youngcare has whipped up its #YOURCAKE Challenge for a second year, calling on Aussies to bake and decorate cakes.
Bakers can choose their favourite cake from the iconic Australian Women’s Weekly Children’s Birthday Cake Book and raise much-needed funds for disability housing, equipment and home modifications, and to ensure the Youngcare Connect team can answer every call from those in need.
Stephanie’s mum expressed how thrilled Stephanie was to participate in the challenge, having kicked it off early by baking the childhood favourite swimming pool cake.
“Stephanie and her dad were so excited about the #YOURCAKE Challenge so they pulled on their aprons straight away,” she said.
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