Rocky Bay helping local boy to achieve goals and more

One-on-one community support is helping Rockingham 11-year-old Carlos Saunders build his confidence and independence as he gets ready to take on high school and beyond. Described as a cheeky kid with a wicked sense of humour, Carlos, who has Down sndrome, accesses individual support with Rocky Bay for two hours a week after school. The disability support service provides tailored support to people with disability based on each person’s goals. For Carlos, that includes increasing his communication skills with others, accessing age-appropriate community activities, and increasing his strength and mobility. Sport-loving Carlos is a fan of lawn bowls, dancing and basketball — particularly the Rockingham Flames — and has progressed from in-home support to being out in the community in the five years he has been with Rocky Bay. His mum Pam, who has fostered him since he was nine weeks old, said Carlos’ time spent with his support worker had helped him grow his confidence and life skills in preparation for high school next year. “Carlos can do whatever he wants to do and given the opportunity, he can achieve whatever he sets out to achieve,” she said. “I would hope that he learns the life skills he is going to need to enjoy independent living and to keep growing.”