Kids+ Scholarship: Jake Richardson’s Story

The formidable Jake Richardson is the first recipient of the Kids+ education/employment scholarship . The scholarship has helped to provide Jake with two-day a week employment at Bellarine Secondary College for 12 months.. Read Jake’s incredible story below, as told by his mother and biggest fan, Jaime Richardson.

Where do I start with Jake’s story? From the very beginning? The middle? or from when the process began for him to find a purpose he deserves from being employed?

How about a little bit from all aspects?

Jake was born 12 weeks premature, in a hurry to get here and left a whirlwind of uncertainty, fear, hope, tears, trepidation and a whole level of rollercoaster in emotions from the get go, which in reality, I really shouldn’t be surprised by now with how much Jake can achieve but I do; every day.

A multitude of complications, bleeds to the brain, operations, death defying stunts and given “the talk to prepare you for the talk” speech by the lead paediatric surgeon was all had within the first 10 weeks after Jake’s birth!

Even before Jake was brought home, his willingness to fight, live and reach milestones was strong and after 20 years, nothing has changed (he’s just gotten cheekier and more mischievous).

I have always pushed Jake outside of his comfort levels from day one, taught him that life is about challenges and that the spanner will be thrown in the works more often than not. Don’t get me wrong, if Jake can get away with not doing what he needs to do, he will, for sure!

Rachael Hardiman – Empowerment Coach came on board with Jake (through Sam Searl – Sensitive Support Services), to put in motion what Jake’s next move would be now that he was out of high school. Bellarine Secondary College was suggested as a gateway to making something meaningful for Jake, and why not? He enjoyed his 1 and then later 2 days per week of dual schooling throughout high school, let's see if it was an option?

Wayne Johannesen – Principal of Bellarine Secondary College was accosted by Rachael, Sam, Sharlene and myself at the end of 2023 to throw a wild idea of a possible employment opportunity being created for Jake, gratefully, Wayne was very much open and willing to the idea and the ball was set in motion from there. The next chapter was to ensure via MyPlace (who have been very much a part of Jake’s assistance supports for the last 3 years) were on board to be available on the days Jake would be employed during the week, the answer was a definite Yes! and they were more than happy to work around Jake and his needs for this to be achieved. Through Rachael; Debbie and Brendan from Matchworks were introduced into the world of Jake and was able to fund the first 6 months required for his 12-month placement, it was the question and the uncertainty of where could we source the remaining 6 months of funding to help with Jake becoming an adult living with disabilities to work and earn a meaningful and functioning level within his local community? Rachael had an idea – what about Kids+? Jake has been a client with them since 2016, working with Amy (Physiotherapy), Erin (Occupation Therapy) and recently Molly (Speech Therapist) and he has gained a lot of who he has become today through these people who have known him the longest – there's no harm in asking right? Thanks to Kids+ Jake received a scholarship to continue with his endeavour of creating a pathway of independence and achievement that I can only see as the next level of Jake’s “wow, look at how far you’ve come” factor from my perspective and as his mother, that’s all I want to see, my boy who is now a young man, can have a fulfilling life and purpose that doesn’t need to be placed into just one basket labelled “disabled” or “special needs”, because he’s more than that in my eyes, he’s, my inspiration. Thank you to everyone who was a part of and continues to be a part of Jake’s development and progression, you all are amazing and our family, Jake, his sister Amber and myself are very grateful to have you all included in on our journey.

Jake’s biggest fan,

Jaime Richardson

To find out more about the Kids+ Scholarship Program, follow this link https://kidsplus.org.au/scholarship