Celebrating Mother’s Day with Heart

As Mother’s Day approaches, we’re celebrating the strength, love, and advocacy of mothers to children with disability.

This year, we are proud to share the story of Vic Olsson, a dedicated Aruma Behaviour Support Practitioner, and passionate mother to Ella, who has Down syndrome.

“Ella is amazing. She has so much determination, and her happiness and smile are like no other. She absolutely loves mainstream school and learning about the world around her. She also absolutely loves music, riding her bike, swimming, animals, singing and is going to her first concert, Katy Perry, next month!,” shared Vic.

At just six-and-a-half-years-old, Ella has already achieved so much including modelling for Big W, an ambassador for Celebrate T21, completing kindergarten where she has achieved multiple awards and performing in dance concerts. However, Vic has also learnt a lot from Ella.

“Ella has been through so much medically and physically in her short span of life and is the most resilient person I know. Ella has taught me patience, gratitude for the small wins and has brought a whole community of people, who are now our extended family in our Down Syndrome community. Every day I am amazed by Ella’s determination and her strength to keep trying no matter how long something takes her to complete. I am so proud every day of my daughter and can’t wait to see all she accomplishes.”

As a Behaviour Support Practitioner, Vic helps people with disability reduce behaviours of concern and improve their quality of life. Her work typically involves meeting with participants and their support network to assess challenging behaviours and develop positive behaviour support (PBS) plans that are tailored to the individual.

“A lot of the participants I support are in their 50’s or 60’s, and many of them have experienced institutionalised care. My heart breaks that they were not given the opportunities Ella has now, but I see my job as a way to let each person have the chance to be heard, feel empowered and have choice in making their own decisions and make the most of the rest of their lives,” said Vic.

Through her experiences with Ella, and also her work in the sector, Vic is finally starting to see change in societies attitudes towards people with a disability.

“I have noticed that society is finally shifting from hiding and excluding people with Down syndrome and are instead including them in all aspects of society and allowing each individual to reach their full potential. There is still obviously a long way to go but I’m hopeful about the future.”

She added, “In the media I am seeing more and more people with Down syndrome be included. I’ve seen them celebrated for completed body building competitions, modelling, finishing university, acting in movies (Disney’s live action Peter Pan for example), and there’s even a Matel Barbie doll with Down syndrome. It really makes my heart so full to know that I can raise my own daughter in a world that is including people with disability.”

Heidi Clarris, Chief Customer Officer at Aruma and mother of two says, “We’re proud to have people like Vic on our team, whose perspective deepens the way we support families across the East Coast of Australia. She really does understand the support our participants need and the importance of family and support networks, to ensure participants have the best outcomes.”

To learn more about how Aruma can support you or your loved one, head to the Aruma website: www.aruma.com.au or contact Aruma on 1300 538 746.