Addison was diagnosed with Rett syndrome following early developmental concerns.
Rett syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental condition that primarily affects girls and can lead to difficulties with movement, communication, breathing and the ability to retain or build skills over time.
For Addison, it affects her motor skills, expressive communication and overall physical health, including respiratory and gastrointestinal challenges, meaning she requires ongoing support to participate in everyday life.
Thanks to Variety
Addison is an intentional communicator who primarily communicates non-verbally, using eye contact, small movements and a switch button to make choices, express herself and interact with others.
With support from Variety, Addison now has her own iPad with switch-accessible communication software, which she uses at home, in therapy, at school and in the community to build her communication and cognitive skills and take part more independently in learning and play.
The software also allows Addison’s family to create talking books and interactive slideshows that she can access on her own using a switch, giving her greater confidence, control and connection to the world around her.
With support from Variety
Most recently, Variety helped fund modifications to the family car so Addison can travel safely and comfortably with her whole family. Before this support, she was sitting in a booster seat with no proper postural support, placing her at risk of pain, spinal issues and breathing complications.
With the modifications in place, Addison is now correctly positioned and supported, making it easier and safer for her to attend medical appointments, therapy and social activities. The improved vehicle access has also reduced the physical strain of transfers and given her family a more reliable way to help Addison get where she needs to be.
“Variety has supported our daughter Addison in so many ways. Rett syndrome has taken away her ability to speak, but with the communication software Variety provided, she can do puzzles, read homemade books, access apps and build her recognition skills. They also gave Addison an iPad, which she uses to communicate both socially and at school, using the same software as her eye-gaze computer. With a switch, she can share her news, join in class and play – even with limited hand movement.”
“We were also lucky enough to attend the Variety Motor Mouth Camp, where our whole family learned new ways to support and model Addison’s communication. It was an incredibly positive experience for all of us. As Addison has grown, Variety has also helped us with a grant to modify our vehicle, making it wheelchair accessible so we can transport her more safely and easily.
But above all, Variety has enabled our daughter to participate in the things every child wants to do — giving her opportunities, independence and a way to be part of the world.”
Narelle Read