X

Cookies

This site uses cookies to make your user experience more relevant to you.
You can visit our Privacy Policy to opt-out or see more details.
You may be asked again separately for any sensitive pages that you visit within this site.

Continue
Font size + -

Richard & Joshua's story

Richard's 9 year old son Joshua has severe cerebal palsy and his wife passed away unexpectedly leaving Richard to be Joshua's sole carer.

Richard ran his own truck driving business but when, despite help from family and friends, respite care options became too scarce, Richard was simply unable to work.

Joshua has difficulty swallowing and was hospitalised several times with Aspiration Pneumonia. He also has very brittle bones and although he was undergoing treatment to improve his bone density, it was costly and time consuming.

Richard found it more and more difficult to pay the bills, put a decent meal on the table and simply face the challenges of day to day living.

Through our disability services team, Windermere was able to provide Richard and Joshua with practical support and referrals to other support agencies.

If you wish to help someone like Richard, then consider making a tax deductible donation today.

Testimonial

(Through Kids on Track) I learnt more about how drugs and alcohol affect our bodies. I don't want to end up the same way as Dad so I can now care for my body and make better decisions than what he did. 

Grade 6 Student, Program Participant - Cranbourne

The amazing opportunity I got coming into the Windermere house and the 100% that I put into the program, has given me and my son a roof over our head and a second chance at a normal life.

Resident, Mums & Bubs Program - Melbourne

(After the Healthy Women Healthy Relationships course) I am on the lookout now - next time I am in a relationship, I will be able to recognise the signs of domestic violence and I won’t let myself get stuck in that sort of position again.

Program Participant - Melbourne

I respect each child's individuality and needs and want to help them feel safe and secure so they can grow and learn in a natural environment. The early years are the foundations of learning for the rest of their lives.

Sally, Windermere Early Childhood Educator - Melbourne

Learning in a step by step process that we have to follow, we can’t reach the last step without stepping the first step. If we as educators succeed in building trust and connectivity then learning is fun. “To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today”.

Naeve, Windermere Early Childhood Educator - Melbourne
Home About Get Involved News FAQs Privacy Policy
Careers Refer
Contact Us Feedback Subscribe to receive email updates NDIS Subscribe

Windermere is committed to equity, inclusion and belonging for consumers and employees, by building diverse and inclusive services and work environments, where all peoples from Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, Culturally & Linguistically Diverse, LGBTIQ+ Communities and those living with disability will know and feel accepted, affirmed, safe and celebrated. Windermere is delivering this through the continued development and implementation of our Welcoming and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2024.


© Copyright 2025 by Windermere Child and Family Services.