By Emily-Rose Toohey
Warwick resident Christina Cavanaugh created a Facebook support group designed to unite parents and carers of children with disabilities.
The page, Southern Downs Parents and Carers Support Group, was created on November 16 and currently has eleven members – a number Christina hopes to raise.
“[The group] was created to brainstorm ideas and get information about disability from parents and carers with similar experiences,” Christina said.
She was first motivated to establish the group as the parent of Zoe, her 18-year-old daughter living with an intellectual disability.
When Christina first moved with her family to Warwick in October, she realised there were no support groups for parents and carers in her position.
As a result, she established the page to build a supportive and informative space through online community building and eventual in-person meetings.
“I hope to connect with people to form a community and meet up with people who won’t judge you,” Christina said.
Disability sector worker Tracey Lee is a member of Christina’s Facebook page, and she said having access to support groups is imperative.
“A lot of people need someone to rely on and to just be there for each other,” Tracey said.
Once the page widens its reach across the Southern Downs, she said her professional knowledge and experience can help answer questions group members may have.
“With small communities especially, it’s very important to have access to support,” Tracey said.
Aside from support and care recommendations, Christina said the group’s posts will comprise of personal stories and members uplifting each other.
“We can gain information from each other and learn from each other and ask questions,” Christina said.
She hopes to spread awareness of the page and inform more parents and carers of children with disabilities of its existence.
Through this, Christina said awareness will help to create an effective community-based support system.
