Youssef Farag is a joyful 12-year-old boy with cerebral palsy who loves visiting parks, playing with his ADEC support workers, listening to music, and dancing. “Youssef loves the guitar too much,” his mum Dalia laughs. “He is always singing and dancing.”
But life wasn’t always so happy for Youssef. He was born in Egypt and was not as openly accepted as he has been in Australia. “My country is different to Australia,” says Dalia. “Youssef could not go to school and we could not go outside because he was scared of abuse from people.”
Youssef and Dalia found acceptance and support in their new homeland. Dalia says Australia now feels like home.
“When we came here I couldn’t speak English,” she says. “I remember being on a tram and an old man said to me ‘stop this boy, he’s making too much noise’. Then a lady stood up and said to him, ‘if you don’t like it, go’. And everyone said to me ‘it’s alright, don’t be scared’. I’m so happy to be in Australia. I feel relieved.”
Dalia quickly learned English, and studied disability and aged care so she could understand her son as deeply as possible. “I attended the Cerebral Palsy Education Centre to learn how to communicate with Youssef, play with him, and understand his needs and aspirations.”
About five years ago, Dalia’s NDIS Plan Manager recommended ADEC, and mother and son couldn’t be happier with the support they’ve received.
“Ljiljana, our support coordinator, is incredibly supportive and always available to assist us, even on Friday nights or weekends. .. Any time we need her, I send a message and she answers straight away . And if I don’t understand something, she talks slowly and gives me an example so I understand.
Dalia is enthusiastic about sharing her positive experience with ADEC. “I tell my friends about ADEC. I go to group therapy with Youssef and talk to the other mums. I say ADEC is very nice if you want a carer. My only wish is for Ljiljana to come live with us,” Dalia laughs.
At ADEC, we are dedicated to providing exceptional disability support services that make a real difference in the lives of individuals and their families. With over 42 years of dedicated service, ADEC is a registered NDIS Provider committed to providing exceptional care and support to individuals of all abilities. Our support workers speak your language and can assist you with personal care, domestic assistance, community access, independent living skills and meal Preparation.
Please click here to learn more about ADEC’s NDIS Plan Management and Disability Support Services, or contact us on (03) 9480 7000.
If you’re interested in joining our support worker team, please click here.
Click here to find out more about how ADEC's NDIS disability support services can support you and your loved ones living with disabilities. Or call us on 1800 626 078 (toll free) or email info@adec.org.au for more information.