foreward

Herbert was one of the first clients referred to the Bunurong Respite Program, formerly the Casey and Cardinia Respite Program, when it started in 1995.
New to the disability field, I went out to meet both Herbert and Traude and discuss how the respite program might be able to help. Herbert was not particularly interested in what I had to say, instead playing his rock music in his bedroom and exploring things around the house. I could quickly see what fulltime support he required and how desperately Traude needed more help. We set up a Care Plan providing two respite outings per month for Herbert with Nicole, a personal carer from Wresacare. Herbert enjoyed visits to the city, movies and shopping, avoiding places where there were crowds. He really enjoyed the train trips and established a good relationship with his worker.
Traude was fortunate enough to meet Kath Vogel, another mother of a disabled son about the same age as Herbert, at our Carer’s Day function in 1996. Kath knew how to ‘work the system’ and after listening to Traude’s concerns about her caring role and need for more help, advised her to contact her local politicians.
After her meeting with Kath, Traude began to get political, and with support letters from agencies who knew Herbert, she started to write to politicians about her need for permanent placement for Herbert. In late 1997 Traude wrote to the then Premier Mr. Jeff Kennett and within a few months a permanent place was found for Herbert at Moorabbin where he lived prior to moving permanently to his new home, Paperbark House in Doveton.
Traude’s story is one of devotion and dedication to caring for her son and taking on the might of bureaucracy to secure a permanent place for him when she knew she could no longer continue to provide that care full-time at home.
The placement at Paperbark House was to mark the start of a new era for Herbert and he settled very happily into life in Doveton. Traude and her family were then able to enjoy the times that Herbert spent at home with them and Traude’s health improved significantly. Sadly, Herbert passed away early in 2001 but his time at Doveton marked a very happy period of his life.
Traude has been a consumer representative on the Bunurong Respite Care Steering Committee since February 1998, replacing Kath Vogel after her untimely death from cancer. Traude’s contribution to the committee is highly valued as it keeps us well in touch with carers’ issues. The committee is very impressed by Traude’s decision to record her story and wishes her well in this venture.