Alexandra Falls
PARENTS and carers of children with disabilities in the Mitchell Shire could see early intervention centres established in the region if National’s candidate Anthony Rolando is elected in next month’s state election.
Speaking at a meeting held in Seymour last Wednesday, Mr Rolando pledged he would make establishing group support centres a top priority.
Mr Rolando, a Kinglake resident, said he wanted to take a ‘bricks and mortar’ approach to the disability health system in the Mitchell Shire, working with local families of disabled children to provide them with the services they desperately need.
Complaints have been amassing from district parents and carers of disabled children who say that their children are unable to reach the potential they are capable of because of a lack of professional support in the region.
Most children with special needs in the area are currently having a speech or occupational therapist visit them in their homes for one session every two weeks or even once a month.
Otherwise, mothers like Catherine Bradshaw have to drive for hours each week to take their children to Melbourne for regular therapy.
“In a way it’s almost not worth it,” a local mother commented.
Many people present at the meeting said that under the current system, the role of therapist to their children often fell on them as a parent, which is unrealistic and impractical.
Many of the parents and carers at the meeting have long since joined forces to lobby the government for a local centre with qualified and capable therapists and specialists.
Mr Rolando became the first district politician to pledge his support to such a centre.
He also said that the meeting in Seymour was an ‘eye opener’ that made one thing very clear; there is a huge diversity of need regarding disabled children that is not being addressed in this area.
“I’d like to think we can restructure how we treat children with disability in this area, rather than placing the burden on parents,” he said.
Mr Rolando is now trying to attain figures regarding the number of special needs children and children who require services in the area.
He believes that once he has the statistics he can begin constructing plans for the specific amount of money, space and services required.
When asked if he will stay true to this project, even if he is not elected as Member for Seymour, Mr Rolando was adamant
“Children’s issues are very dear to my heart and I will pour my energy into it. I won’t stop even if I’m not elected,” he said.
“If Ben Hardman is elected I will lobby Ben Hardman, if Mike Laker is elected I will approach him with all my information,” he said.
Linda Kennedy, the mother of Daniel, a four year old with Downs syndrome, said she was extremely excited and relived to hear Anthony announce his support at the meeting.
“I have spoken to so many people over time, hoping to hear someone say they would help our children,” Ms Kennedy said.
“Anthony seems very genuine and from my experience he seems to be a man of action, it would be wonderful to have a local politician who realised people with disability need more support and who is prepared to them get that support.”
