Individual Stories

Just like everyone else - Brendan's Story

My son Brendan is proud to be a student at Box Hill Tech.  It’s his first experience of regular school and that means a lot to a 16 year old.  For the first 11 years of his life Brendan was educated in segregated settings.

Cynthia's Story

Our eldest child attended a special school for most of his primary school years.  As a member of STAR Victoria, information on a range of topics expanded our horizons and expectations.

Life Experience - Rowan's story

Around the world are 100's of 1000's of parents who have shared with us the shock and misery, followed by the grief, of being told that our child is not normal, mentally retarded, mentally handicapped, intellectually disabled or whatever the current term is or was. Rowan was born in 1957. This was a time when there was no public understanding about retardation. There was nothing to read. Doctors knew nothing except sometimes a correct diagnosis. Not always. So parents, shocked, filled with grief, were left with no help.. more

Inclusion in Education - Kelly's story

My elder daughter Kelly was born twenty years ago, with Down Syndrome. The health professionals around at this time, gave us no hope, and actually suggested that I go home and leave her, and get on with my life. Yet here we are now, facing another major transition time in her life, as Kelly comes to the end of her schooling in the local secondary school.. more

"A Strike and  a Spare" Jennifer and Valda's story

This is the story of Jennifer and Valda, and how they joined a seniors’ ten pin bowling league.  Jennifer and Valda used to live with their mother in Broadmeadows and they enjoyed bowling with a group of people who attended the same day centre. More... (3MB PDF Download)