Brendan Simpkins
ONE Gawler mum is on a mission to make South Australia more disability inclusive, starting right off in our own backyard.
Paige Carter and her husband Sam had previously lived in Gawler but returned just over a year ago, this time with children Lacey and Oaklan in tow.
Oaklan, who is two and a half years old, was diagnosed with level three autism, the most serve form of autism, in October 2020.
Working in the disability sector for nine years, Mrs Carter’s passion was enhanced following Oaklan’s diagnosis.
The first step was creating a Facebook and Instagram page, Oak For Autism, to raise awareness and share the family’s journey.
“I just wanted to get that message out there to people that you are not alone and there’s probably a lot of us that feel the same way in the community,” she said.
“I want other mums to know that it doesn’t have to be isolating.”
While Mrs Carter believes Gawler is an inclusive community, the family has experienced their share of highs and lows.
She said there is room for more progress to be made.
“I have had negative experiences, (Oaklan) is only two and a half and like every two and a half-year-old he has tantrums,” she said.
“But as a child with autism, those tantrums are tenfold, they turn into what we call a meltdown.
“It is hard work, especially when it happens on the street and you can feel everybody looking at you and commenting as they walk past.”
Mrs Carter organised a meet-up in Gawler, which took place on Monday, for parents of children with disabilities to get together, share their own experiences and discuss ways that Gawler can improve to become more inclusive.
However, Mrs Carter isn’t stopping there.
She hopes to create a day retreat for parents of special needs children in Gawler in the not too distant future, and eventually open a sensory shop and purpose-built play space.
Only in the early stages of planning, Mrs Carter is teaming up with Rachel Ellen of Temple of the Moon to make the retreat possible.
The aim is for the retreat to take place around mid-year, and eventually expand to include retreat days for siblings as well.
Updates can be found on Mrs Carter’s Facebook and Instagram pages, Oak For Autisim.