By Xavier Smerdon
FOR most children, turning nine is a big event.
But for Lisa Anau, her big day means much more than a chance to eat cake and run around with her friends.
Little Lisa has Down Syndrome, meaning that she requires a personal carer and specialised schooling.
Recently she celebrated her ninth birthday and Wyndham Council marked the occasion by sending her a letter from the Mayor, John Menegazzo.
Lisa receives one-on-one care from Quantin Binnah Community Centre in Wyndham Vale, which gives her mother Tina Singh a much-needed break.
“It’s hard to find work because you can’t just say “oh I need to go and look after my kid”, or nobody would give you a job,” Ms Singh said.
“That’s why a place like this is so important.”
Cr Cynthia Manson, who has become a close friend of Lisa and her mother, said that places like Quantin Binnah were too few and far between in Wyndham.
“At the moment in Wyndham we have things like ramps but it’s all very generic.
“Really it’s about providing that individual service, and we just don’t get enough of that.”
Cr Manson said it was important for other children to be able to interact with Lisa too.
“By mixing with the other children here, they get to see her and see that she is not disabled, she is differently abled,” she said.
Cr Manson said that places like Quantin Binnah were priceless to parents of a disabled child.
“It means that just because you have a child with a disability, doesn’t mean you can’t work,” she said.
For more information about Quantin Binnah call 9742 5040.
