Virginia is a 24 year old woman who lights up a room when she enters.

When you look at Virginia you would have no idea that she was born with severe speech Apraxia. Virginia has difficulty putting sounds and syllables together in the correct order to form words. She knows what she wants to say, but a breakdown occurs in the message from the brain to the speech mechanism. This is very frustrating for Virginia.

Virginia’s birth was difficult and she suffered brain injury as a result. Then when she was 13 years old Virginia was also diagnosed with mild cerebral palsy.

Virginia and her younger sister Melody grew up with their mother in Queensland. They share fond memories of a childhood and have always been very close.

Sadly, the girls lost their mother to cancer a couple of years ago. It was really hard for both of them. As their grandmother explains, “It required a massive adjustment for Virginia because she relied so heavily on her mother.”

Fortunately, Virginia was already attending a House With No Steps post school program, so her family was very relieved when it was confirmed that she could also move into a House With No Steps supported living program. It was the first time that Virginia had ever lived out of home and she was still very sad, withdrawn and shy when she first arrived.

With the patience and perseverance of the staff Virginia has really blossomed. She has gone from a quiet girl who didn’t want to leave the house to a young woman who has started to access the community independently and who does regular work experience helping children with special needs.

Virginia’s first goal is to catch the bus to and from the near-by shopping centre. With the support of the team from House With No Steps, Virginia has also put together a pocket sized communication aid to help her converse with the bus drivers and shopkeepers.

Melody beams with pride as she tells us, “My sister really inspires me and I am so proud of her. Virginia really has come a long way as we have been working toward her independence for quite some time.”