Hello everyone. Time for a new interview in my A Kid’s Life series. I have to admit that I’m really proud of this series and all of the great interviews I’ve had over the past few years. I’ve loved “virtually meeting” every single one of these families and luckily enough I’ve kept in touch with them all. These families have been warm, friendly and open to share the details of their daily family grind. I have big plans to meet them all in their native countries in the coming years (don’t worry, I won’t show up unexpected on your doorsteps!). But what a great excuse to travel around the world! Here are the previous interviews in case you missed them: Italy, Japan, USA, The Philippines, Tasmania, Canada, Belgium, New Zealand, Holland, Germany, Colombia, France, Switzerland, South Africa, India.
Today we get to hear from Bron and her family who live in Melbourne, Australia. I thought it would be interesting to hear from a family living on mainland Australia after reading all about family life in Tasmania in a previous interview. I was curious to see if there were differences between the two. So far I’ve noticed that more languages are offered in Tasmanian schools, both love to eat Weetbix for breakfast and dinner is eaten at about the same time that Italian kids eat their afternoon snack!
Bron contacted me last week about participating in the interview and after hearing her family’s story and feeling her energetic and positive energy just by reading her email I was excited to read all about their life. Bron and her husband Andrew have three kids. Their oldest son, Cooper, has Cerebral Palsy (Dystonic Quadriplegia) as he received a brain injury due to lack of oxygen during the birthing process (read more here). What this means is the damaged parts of his brain can’t communicate properly with the muscles all over his body. His whole body is affected including his arms, legs, trunk and mouth. He is cognitively a typical 8 year old boy who loves cricket and Lego though!
Last year Cooper started a fundraiser which involved him walking for 1km using his walker. He ended up raising $15, 000 AUD to help build a kindergarten in Cambodia. The family visited the school several times and were overwhelmed with the reception and gratitude that they were shown (especially Cooper).
Is this not an amazingly inspiring family?
Bron writes a blog about her family life in Melbourne, Cooper’s developmental accomplishments and their travel adventures.
And now let’s hear what they have to say about daily life in Melbourne, Australia…
Sihanoukeville in Cambodia
What country do you live in?
We live in Australia, in the state of Victoria.
Are you and your husband the same nationality?
Yes we are both Australian born in different cities/states.
Do you both work. Or does someone stay home?
Andrew works as an arborist and I’m a stay at home mum.
How many languages are spoken in your house? Which one(s)?
We speak English. We also learnt a lot of sign language and gestures before our son began to verbally communicate.
How many kids do you have? What are their ages?
We have three kids. Cooper is 8, Pepper is 5 and Elwood is 2. Continue reading →
Tags: A Kid's Life, a kid's life in australia, australia, cerebral palsy, daily grind, daily routine, family, family life
… these colourful little scenes that I come across so many times a day. I didn’t even mind that her sneakers were on the bureau and not in the shoe rack like they were supposed to be.
… the fact that my kids get to grow up having the kindest, calmest and most generous and loving father around (sorry for the sappiness but it is Valentine’s Day after all!).
Jillian In Italy 
