Mum Talks Autism

Mum Talks Autism Holistic Retreat has been my dream since I became ill in 2010 and realised the lack of services for families living with not only autism but special needs in general and other chronic illnesses like cancer and diabetes.

Living in rural NSW respite facilities and access to specialist was limited to say the least. I thought this was a geographical issue and something that I would have to address when I was feeling better. When that time came and I researched the issues of access to respite and specialist services I realised that it was not just an isolated problem but rather a national issue that was effected the majority, if not all families living with a special needs child.

I had compensation money that we had put away after my son Robert was killed in 2003 and I planned to use that one day when I thought I could make a difference to someone else’s life. I realised that was that ‘something’ I had been waiting for and the dream of building a respite retreat for families was born and has grown from there.

The property that we had was magnificent but was in no way going to be big enough for what we were looking for nor could we have ever helped the number of families we wanted to help so we are now looking for the perfect property to build the retreat. We think we have found it inland from Taree NSW. The factor that we had to take into account was the need for a 500mtr airstrip so we could use the six seater aircraft to fly families directly into the retreat from anywhere in Australia. The Pilot Boy is a retired commercial pilot and so this was his idea – as he said we are not limited to who we can help, we can help anyone in Australia. Flights to Mum Talks Autism Holistic Retreat will be subsidised for families that cannot afford this expense.

Mum Talks Autism Retreat will be built in stages:

Stage 1: This will include the building of MTA Respite Lodge. This will be a facility that will have the ability to offer respite facilities for up to eight children and six fully qualified disability support workers. The other part of stage one will be five star cabins that will be scattered throughout the property where families of the children receiving respite can be pampered in five star luxury with the ability to monitor their child 24 hours a day on CCTV that they will be given a code to so they can access this service where their child is receiving respite.

The reason that we decided to do it this way was because we identified through living with three autistic children that driving a hundred kilometres and dropping our children off with complete strangers and leaving them was not respite at all and both the Pilot Boy and I would spend the entire time worrying if the boys were ok and besides a two minute phone call we had no real way of ensuring how our adored children were.

By offering families this option the children are at the most 500 metres away from you at any given time. You can go and spend some time with your child and then continue with your respite. The thing is that it is your respite and each family will be treated individually and a service plan will be implemented for each family to address what they need for their family. What works for one family will not always work for another family and so this will be a prominent part of services that are offered through Mum Talks Autism.

We don’t want families missing out on the important family celebrations either, 21st Birthday, Weddings, Engagement Parties, Births and even Deaths. We don’t want families to have to miss out on these celebrations any longer because they have no one to care for their child who has autism and they are unable to take them with you. No more sitting on the sidelines of your life- you will be able to book respite services for your child as soon as the invitation comes and leave your child at MTA Respite Lodge with fully qualified Disability Support Workers while you unite with your family to celebrate.

We will also have part of the property separate from the Respite Lodge where people without special needs children can use the beauty of the property and come and go camping where they will find the peace and tranquillity of camping but still have the comfort of home with showers and toilets and other amenities like laundries and kitchens available for their convenience.

Stage one is estimated to be up and ready to service the community by the end of 2014.

Further stages will continue to be built until the first Mum Talks Autism Holistic Retreat is complete and this will include bunkhouses (so school and group facilities can utilise the retreat also), flying foxes, playgrounds (inside and outside), café, general store, restaurant, sensory store where you can buy all your needs for your child, conference facilities, consulting rooms, therapy rooms, sensory gardens, animal therapy, indoor trampoline gymnasium and even more.

Within three years from opening Mum Talks Autism Holistic Retreat we plan to build in another state still to be decided but think it will be between Adelaide or Queensland. We will continue this until we are in each state throughout Australia and have a ten year plan to achieve that.

Yes we are dreaming big but through hard work and dedication we are going to make our dreams and yours a reality. Our motto is “No Family will be left behind’ and I am passionate that from day one that I will do everything I can to help as many families as I can.

So this is where you get the chance to tell me your dreams, what would ask for in a retreat in a perfect world where you could ask for anything you desired. I have made these ideas from raising three boys living with autism and identifying that this is what we as a family needed in our dream world but if there is something you can add this is the time to speak up.

What does your family NEED and WANT? Go all out and tell me what you would class as a dream holiday, a dream break and do you think you and your family will access the services of Mum Talks Autism Holistic Retreat when they are available?

Mum Talks Autism is proudly supported by;

Help us build the way for better access to healthcare for all Australians.

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