Josie's Story | More stories

Josie's Story

Josie laughs "Yes, I love nothing more than being out with my friends and having a joke with a glass of wine maybe!" At the weekends Josie enjoys listening to music, particular favourites are ABBA and John Farnham and occasionally she goes to the Wantirna Hotel.

Josie, from Dandenong, has Cerebral Palsy, a condition that basically distorts the path of messages from the brain to muscles, most often resulting in difficulties with mobility, muscle control and communication. Josie lives with her family in Dandenong, but attends the Adult Day programs at the Knox Centre of Scope and often shares weekend accommodation with friends at the Knox Units. Josie has a keen sense of humour and an infectious laugh. She boasts precision wheelchair driving skills and often travels around the Knox area in her electric chair.

Like most people with disabilities, Josie's philosophy is not to focus on those disabilities, but rather to concentrate on getting-on with everyday life … just like everyone else. She is an active person who enjoys bushwalking, swimming, visiting art galleries and flower shows, dining out, organising fundraisers for the Knox Centre and working for a papermaking program, which produces hand-printed stationery.

Josie has attended Knox Centre for over 10 years and has always jumped at the chance to test her abilities and try new activities, most recently concentrating on expanding her computer skills. She does say that, given her disability, communication can often be frustrating. "People sometimes find it hard to understand me." However, her strong personality means that she will always get her point across - with or without words!

Creating public awareness about issues facing people with physical and multiple disabilities can make a significant difference to opportunities that enable people with disabilities to more fully integrate in their local community. Josie is a member of the Knox Client Group, which meets regularly to discuss local issues facing people with disabilities, such as accessibility to shops, hotels and other buildings. Josie comments, "I'd love to walk down to the shops more often, but it is a bit far. (It) can be difficult." The group also organises chocolate drives to raise funds for Scope.