COMMUNITY eNEWSLETTER

Chloe, our sassy, bright, funny teenage daughter, along with my husband and I, were given a lifeline the day we received a call offering us a place at Giant Steps Melbourne. It took several months to share our good fortune with anyone else as we were in shock and disbelief that we could be so lucky.

Chloe, our first and only child was unexpectedly critically ill at birth and not expected to survive. We were told she was incompatible with life. We were totally devastated. After six weeks of intensive life-saving interventions, we took Chloe home dazed and exhausted, not knowing what her future held.

Doctors had no answers. We were told to take her home, love her, and start early intervention. Our world crashed around us again when at the age of 18 months, Chloe received a devastating diagnosis of a globally unique genetic anomaly that likely underpins a range of very serious and rare medical conditions, as well as intellectual and physical disabilities. To this day, as science progresses, genetics keeps us informed of any findings that might be relevant to our gorgeous girl. Chloe has endured countless code 1 ambulance trips, surgeries, invasive interventions, and will always need intensive medical support.

Despite all of this, Chloe has never complained. She is a super big personality, loves Starfish Nippers every summer, swims like a mermaid, adores her ‘fur-brother’ Otto the dog, has the memory of an elephant, loves to dance up a storm to pop music, enjoys playing with Barbies, and has a passion for food—the list goes on. She stares down horrendous challenges and is incredibly resilient, while also being loving and wickedly funny.

As Chloe nears the end of her second term at Giant Steps, we still can’t believe we have been given this opportunity. Giant Steps is an environment where all children can thrive by being valued, included, supported, and genuinely celebrated in all their diversity.

Giant Steps is our fourth and hopefully last educational setting. We had known about Giant Steps for several years, but understanding the wait list was extensive, we didn’t dare to dream we would ever be considered! It took a very dear associate to help us get the ball rolling—I lacked the courage for any more rejection or hardship—and I knew just how special Giant Steps was and that no other option compared. I was even prepared to home school Chloe if I had to as the daily calls to collect her from previous schools, the attempts to ‘manage her out’, the regression, the isolation for Chloe and our family… well… we were broken. When Davina, Giant Steps Melbourne Principal, said to us, “She is one of ours,” we felt quite literally saved! Seen, safe, and supported.

We have been rescued from ongoing isolation and trauma by this amazing school.

There is inspired leadership, incredible staff, and a passionate community all aiming to deliver the best outcomes for our children. Chloe loves going to school, she is learning to manage herself in different scenarios and her confidence is visible from the moon. She is growing in all areas of development. As Davina has often reminded me, not every day will be “rainbows and unicorns”; there are still difficult days. But the difficult days are filled with brilliant, professional, caring staff who are there to support all of us through the good times and bad.

Like so many in this situation, we seek happiness for our children, and we have found happiness at Giant Steps.

Juliette Permezel and Cameron Abbott