28/07/2026
National Disability Pride Month: Jaya's Story – Part 4 (Final)
When Jack was born, our family's world grew in the most wonderful way, but so did the demands of caring for a child with such complex medical needs.
It was then that we discovered Bear Cottage in Manly.
Bear Cottage became so much more than a children's hospice. It became our home away from home. It was a place where Jaya received the specialised care she needed, while our family could rest, reconnect, and simply spend precious time together. We celebrated birthdays, made beautiful memories, and found comfort in knowing we were surrounded by people who genuinely loved and cared for Jaya.
From those early years until Jaya turned 19, Bear Cottage was a constant source of support for our family.
In 2023, that support continued when AYAH - Adolescent and Young Adult Hospice opened its doors. Once again, we found a place where we could enjoy family holidays together and feel understood by people who truly cared.
Sadly, AYAH also became the place where Jaya spent the final stages of her life.
As heartbreaking as that was, I will always be grateful that she was surrounded by love, dignity, compassion, and the most extraordinary care. She left this world peacefully, embraced by people who knew her and loved her.
After graduating from school, Jaya began attending day programs and was enjoying this new stage of life. Then the world changed with the COVID pandemic.
Knowing how vulnerable Jaya was, I made the decision to keep her safely at home. As the months passed, her health slowly declined, and over the following three years she was never well enough to return to her day program.
Instead, home became her safe place.
I was incredibly blessed to have the most caring, attentive and compassionate women helping to care for Jaya. They attended to her every need with kindness, patience and love. Over the years they became so much more than carers—they became part of our family.
They watched both of Jaya's brothers grow from little boys into young men, celebrated life's milestones with us, and stood beside us through the hardest days. I will be forever grateful for every one of them.
When I think of Jaya now, it isn't the hospitals, surgeries or challenges that come to mind first.
I remember her beautiful smile.
Her little noises that told us exactly how she was feeling.
Her incredible curly hair.
Her quiet, gentle presence that brought so much peace to those around her.
Jaya changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. She taught me to slow down, to celebrate the smallest achievements, to appreciate every single moment, and to see the beauty in a world where every person is different.
She taught me that every life has value, every person deserves dignity, and every human being deserves to be loved exactly as they are.
As National Disability Pride Month comes to an end, I hope Jaya's story reminds people that disability does not diminish a person's worth. Behind every diagnosis is a person with dreams, personality, love to give, and a family who cherishes them beyond words.
Jaya was, and always will be, my greatest teacher.
Her life as we know it was taken away, but the life she lived was tough, tolerant, beautiful and will always push me to be the best I can be, as that’s exactly what she did. She will always be my special girl.
Thank you for following Jaya's story throughout National Disability Pride Month and for helping us celebrate a life that, although filled with challenges, was also filled with extraordinary love. ❤️
