Lucy’s Story
At Allowah, we are privileged to walk alongside children and families on their journey toward new milestones, and Lucy’s story is one that truly embodies hope, strength, and perseverance.
One Family’s Journey with Disability, Hope, and the Lifeline that is Allowah
“Allowah is life-saving for Lucy. And it’s life-saving for us.”
When Lucy was born, she was tiny — just 1.6kg. It was clear early on that she was facing enormous medical challenges. She has quadriplegic hypertonic cerebral palsy, severe intellectual disability, chronic lung disease, and intractable epilepsy that causes seizures daily, even with heavy medication. For her family, every moment of care has always been high-stakes, demanding, and constant.
But Lucy is also vibrant, expressive, and adored. She has a sparkle that draws people in — from family to nurses and volunteers. And thanks to Allowah, she’s living her best life.
The Early Years: A Fragile Beginning
Lucy’s family learned early how complex her needs were. Their life revolved around hospital stays, therapy sessions, and endless care routines. While other families were heading off to school drop-offs and footy practice, Lucy’s family was navigating feeding tubes, respiratory therapy, and managing seizures that could happen anytime, anywhere.
When Lucy first came to Allowah as a young child, it was life-changing.
“I remember thinking: this place is going to help us breathe again,” Lucy’s mum recalls. “For the first time, I could leave Lucy somewhere safe and actually go for a walk around the block. That kind of freedom might sound small to others, but it was enormous.”
More Than a Service — A Lifeline
Allowah wasn’t just another service on a list. It became part of the family’s world.
“It’s not a nice-to-have. It’s a need,” her mum says. “Without Allowah, we couldn’t cope.”
Through the years, Lucy has come to know the staff, the routines, and the joy of being in a place that truly understands her. Her family could finally take a breath — even watch Netflix, go to a movie, or just sit down without worry. That rest isn’t a luxury. It’s essential for long-term survival when you’re a full-time carer.
The Covid Years: Isolation and Burnout
Then, Covid hit. Lucy finished school and there were no day programs available. She was too old for most children’s services and too medically complex for adult options. The family was back to doing everything alone — and it nearly broke them.
“That was a very bleak time for me,” her mum says. “But I wasn’t allowed to be bleak. I had to keep going for Lucy, for our family.”
For more than a year, it was just Lucy and her mum at home. Meanwhile, the other kids went off to university or work. The weight of the care, the fear of medical emergencies, and the lack of external support created an impossible situation.
The Covid Years: Isolation and Burnout
Then, Covid hit. Lucy finished school and there were no day programs available. She was too old for most children’s services and too medically complex for adult options. The family was back to doing everything alone — and it nearly broke them.
“That was a very bleak time for me,” her mum says. “But I wasn’t allowed to be bleak. I had to keep going for Lucy, for our family.”
For more than a year, it was just Lucy and her mum at home. Meanwhile, the other kids went off to university or work. The weight of the care, the fear of medical emergencies, and the lack of external support created an impossible situation.
The Covid Years: Isolation and Burnout
Then, Covid hit. Lucy finished school and there were no day programs available. She was too old for most children’s services and too medically complex for adult options. The family was back to doing everything alone — and it nearly broke them.
“That was a very bleak time for me,” her mum says. “But I wasn’t allowed to be bleak. I had to keep going for Lucy, for our family.
For more than a year, it was just Lucy and her mum at home. Meanwhile, the other kids went off to university or work. The weight of the care, the fear of medical emergencies, and the lack of external support created an impossible situation.
A New Chapter: Hope for Young Adults
Then came the phone call that changed everything: Allowah was expanding. They would now support young adults.
“I think I opened champagne,” Lucy’s mum laughs. “I couldn’t believe it. We had no options before that. We were facing group homes that simply couldn’t meet Lucy’s medical needs — and I couldn’t, in good conscience, do that.”
Lucy returned to Allowah, now as a young adult. And with that, her family’s world shifted again — this time, back toward hope.
The Ripple Effect of Support
The support Lucy receives at Allowah hasn’t just changed her life — it’s shaped her siblings’ futures too. Her sister is now training in intensive care nursing. Her brother is studying psychology, inspired by the complex web of care around Lucy. Another is pursuing engineering, fascinated by the mechanics of wheelchairs and medical devices.
The impact of care extends far beyond the person receiving it. It transforms families, communities, and futures.
In Her Mum’s Words: “Life-Saving”
Asked to sum it all up, Lucy’s mum doesn’t hesitate:
“Allowah is life-saving for Lucy. And it’s life-saving for us.”
Allowah gives families like Lucy’s a way to keep going — with dignity, with hope, and with the space to care not just for their child, but for themselves too.
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