Australian Story - Nichole and Lawson
This is your life: Knowledge with Nichole
Nichole is a local Penrith Disability Advocate, Mother and Carer to her son Lawson who is about to turn 3! Lawson is a busy young man who loves to explore and learn through interacting with the world around him. He has Down syndrome and is a brother to his sister Georgia. Lawson and Georgia are beginning to forge a strong and loving sibling relationship. Nichole is devoted to her role as a mother to her children and is also a loving daughter to her mother Pamela, who is very important in her life. Nichole is very grateful for the support she receives from her mother and feels very lucky her children have that very close and special relationship with their grandma.
What has assisted Nichole as a carer?
Building strong relationships with the team around her. Family and support comes in all shapes and sizes. The carers support network for Nichole involves close family, friends (who luckily live nearby), collaborative and trusting relationships with therapists and finding a day care that understand the needs of Lawson, the family and Georgia.
Pamela, on top of being super grandma, is a retired special education teacher. She has been an immense support in terms of helping Nichole navigate the world of disability. Nichole also attributes her role as an early educator to better supporting Lawson's development. Their combined understanding of disability and education has informed their everyday parenting practice to support Lawson. Their ethos is "seeing the child for who they are" as opposed to seeing Down syndrome as everything about Lawson - "Lawson is more than that".
They have upskilled in information from disability groups but what they have found most beneficial is the information they have received from Lawson's doctors and therapist as these are the everyday people that really know Lawson and what he needs. Building trusted relationships and collaboration with local supports has ensured Lawson and his interests are looked after, as these are the people who know Lawson the best.
What Nichole believes is most important for carers is believing in yourself as the parent and carer, trusting your judgement and your understanding of your child and then accessing supports that are really for your child. Sometimes the disability support climate at times can make you feel like you have to do certain things, access certain supports or go to certain supports because "another parent with a child with Down syndrome has done this" or someone has "walked down this path and its worked for them". This creates pressure to journey a certain way, creates unnecessary stress and can sideline your own judgements and views. It is important to listen to others but then also to be critical of the advice given and to determine what is best for your situation.
Responding to Lawson's needs and listening to trusted local and professional supports, who actually know who Lawson is, has been key to success.
Nichole holds the view that if we just treated everyone as people, especially those with disability, than the world would be a better and more inclusive place.
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