Wendy Richardson is one of the Illawarra’s most enduring figures – a nationally renowned playwright who is small in stature but has made a gigantic impact on The Disability Trust.
The 90-year-old Mt Kembla resident was one of the parents of children with disability whose commitment to creating a better world led to the establishment of the Trust and the many wonderful services the organisation now provides to thousands of people.
Her son Mark, 67, was born into a world that did not provide adequate services for people with disability and Wendy said there was simply no alternative as a parent but to do everything she could to put pressure on governments to take action.
“The situation was very, very grim in those days,” she recalled.
“We all had hopes for something better, mostly generated from parents who were looking for help and support for their children, and finding that the only services were things that had been actually nominated by parents and were running on lamington drives and raffles and things like that, and parents volunteering all the time.
“The Trust was the kind of organisation that we longed for but we didn’t have it then.”
Wendy was disheartened by the way people with disability were treated by the community but is thrilled that perceptions have dramatically changed over time.
She said the Trust’s success at breaking down barriers gave parents reassurance and the “satisfaction that their sons and daughters mattered”.
“This is what I dreamed of – that we would begin to understand that there are people who have gifts, and people with disabilities have gifts, and people with gifts have disabilities. Everybody has a gift to contribute,” she explained.
“Their path is not always easy but it often wins a lot of admiration for the tenacity and the courage that they show to the people who they share their house with in that they are supportive of each other.
“They can have a positive effect on the community and bring out the best in people – they don’t make very good criminals but they make great friends and that means a great deal to parents.
Mark lives with three housemates in Supported Independent Living accommodation at Horsley, has travelled the world with his mum, enjoyed a lengthy career working for the Salvos and is a passionate supporter of his favourite NRL team, the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
“And today, my son Mark at 67 is a contributor to the community and he is widely accepted,” Wendy added.
“It’s extremely comforting to know that he’s always been accommodated well and supported by the Trust. They’ve answered every challenge.
“And life isn’t always froth and bubbles, is it? It is challenging. I’m beginning to realise that some of the challenges that people with disabilities face, particularly now that I’ve turned 90 and I’m not as sprightly as I used to be.
“The fear is that if I wasn’t around, I am satisfied that everything would be fine for him. That’s one of the things in the back of your mind – you want to know that everything will be alright.
“The Disability Trust is on strong foundations and they are built to grow in wisdom and experience.”
Learn about other key people in the story of The Disability Trust
