• I reckon that what with the Catholic church getting a thorough beating over it's cover ups on sex perverts , and ,unchristian behaviour in paying "Hush money" to victims. kevin Rudd saw this as a time to "Divorce" the M.P.'s who support the church and show them up as what they are. Accessories to the crimes. - liza
  • Slyplace, you are entitled to disagree with the sentiments expressed by the writer, but your original comment was just plain nasty and showed the lack of respect and good manners that this whole topic is addressing! - Anne W
  • I can't believe I'm about to say this but I do think we need to apply the concept of diversity and tolerance to everybody, not just our lesbian and gay friends. Everyday we come across views and ways of living which we may not like. For example, I may not like many political and religious views I come across but if we really believe in diversity and tolerance for everyone - and I mean everyone even the people we disagree with - they have just as much right to express their views, and to decide who comes into their home. - Diversity
  • Tracey, I agree with you. The Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/?q=#/groups/130773080382056/?ref=ts&fref=ts. I'll introduce myself on there. I have 3 other kids who are normal, mainstream kids, one is very high achieving - and they are all from the same genetic background and environment! - Concerned
  • Here's a head up, Hooplarians ... John Jay is the alter ego of the erudite but bitter Jack Richards, a man whose hate knows no bounds and who has a shrine to Kylie Minogue. Don't you Jack? He is being his usual ahole self, impersonating a kind gentleman who has a deep connection to God. It's not funny or clever. You just show, once again, that you are damaged beyond belief and should see a shrink about your problems. - Grow Up Jack
  • Sadly, its all about respect! I believe that this kind of bullying is rife in Australia and to kick the underdog is the norm. As for respect for mothers, we are still harassing women who breast feed their babies!!! Thank you Tara for saying it all so eloquently. - YVONNE
  • This letter is just about showing good manners. If they showed this thoughtlessness to their friends, they wouldn't have any. So why treat your parents so shabbily? - PG
  • That's so sad. I have five children and nineteen grandchildren, spread over 350 kms. We have a family group on facebook where all the adults and the older grandchildren communicate regularly. We have family get togethers for Christmas and mid year as well as special occasions and everyone (including grandchildren and their boyfriend/girlfriend come). They are just fun family bbqs and everyone brings food and drink to share. I know in time, they will drift apart and form their own family groups, but they will have a good grounding. Your family is what you make it. - Marnie
  • He must really be worried that he' s going to lose his seat! - Glynnis Henderson
  • That would be great. There is a Facebook group I am part of, I found it by desperately searching one night because you do feel so alone! https://www.facebook.com/?q=#/groups/130773080382056/?ref=ts&fref=ts We mainly go there to ask for advice and support as many of us feel abandoned and helpless. - Concerned
 
15
Categories:  News and Opinion, Wellbeing, Your Stories

A HAIRY KIND OF THANKFUL

By Valerie Foley
July 4, 2012

I’m not sure I’ve ever been this thankful in my life.

Yesterday, my son was able to do something he has wanted to do for the vast majority of his life – something that his disability has stopped him from doing up until now.

Long story short, Billy’s hearing is hypersensitive. It’s insanely hypersensitive. It rules his life with an iron fist (or maybe it’s a very delicate spiderweb lace glove…)

While he is also autistic, autism, per se, is not the thing that impairs his life. He talks, he plays, he tries new things. He doesn’t always succeed, it isn’t always easy, and it sure doesn’t look like the other kids, but he takes it all on.

The hearing sensitivity impairs his life.

One of the things it stopped him from doing was entering the Nocturnal House of our favourite zoo – Taronga Zoo. There is a soundtrack in there (howling, hooting, night-time sounds) and Billy cannot tolerate it – physically or emotionally.

We walk past the Nocturnal House, we stand near the Nocturnal House, we talk about how much we want to go into the Nocturnal House, but we do not enter the Nocturnal House.

Until yesterday. The Great Nocturnal House Day of 2012. A very, very good day.

Billy, aka Mr Eight Year Old Modern Electronic Living, had suggested we try contacting the zoo via Facebook, after we found their awesome Facebook page. His instincts were good. After exchanging a few messages and then emails with the staff at Taronga Zoo, something awesome happened.

Rob, the extraordinary keeper agreed to switch off the atmospheric soundtrack in the Nocturnal House at the zoo. This was miraculous enough, but it didn’t stop there. When we arrived at the zoo yesterday, he asked if I thought Billy would be able to help feed some of the animals.

Does a bilby poo near gum trees?

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15 Responses to this article

  1. Van Essa July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Oh my goodness…pass the tissues. What a joyful day for all involved.

     
  2. VRog July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    What a wonderful thing for your boy to have experienced.
    Thank you for sharing.

     
  3. gogirl July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Valery, your story has given me such a lift this morning. I’m sitting here with a big smile on my face, like everything’s right with the world. I’m so happy for Billy. It puts a whole new perspective on living the dream.

    … and bravo to Taronga Park Zoo – well done for making this happen and taking it to the next level. You are special people.

     
    • gogirl July 4, 2012 Reply
       
       

      Valerie, I apologise for misspelling your name above – I took the spelling from the byline and only just now, having another look, noticed the spelling on your book.

      I did think at the time that it was an unusual spelling for Valerie, but I’ve seen a number of variations so didn’t linger on it for long.

      Perhaps someone could correct the byline?

       
      • Wendy Harmer July 4, 2012 Reply
         
         

        Sorry, that was my brain fade there. Now corrected.

         
  4. amy July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    What a wonderful adventure, it is awesome in every sense that you and Billy are making ripples in the pond of awareness. You are pioneers, opening the hearts and minds of others, and thus paving the way.
    Big thanks for all you have done, are doing and continue to do, Both of you.

     
  5. Jenny M July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Thank you for your article, always knew Taronga was awesome, they’ve proved it yet again. Go Billy!

     
  6. The Huntress July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Oh how wonderful! Big congrats to Billy for finding a way to his goal. What a fantastic story, something I will be telling to my own son.

     
  7. JessB July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Well played indeed, Billy! How fantastic that you got to walk through that wonderful place, and had an even more special time with the keeper.

    I have found that there is very little that cannot be achieved if you ask the right people. Reasonable requests are almost always greeted with the attitude that people are happy to help.

     
  8. Samantha July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    This is a wonderful story! And good on Taronga Zoo. Isn’t it wonderful how something so little and easy for them to do, created something so extraordinary.

     
  9. Glen July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Fantastic! Love the last bit too. I hope he got his McDonald’s.

     
  10. amd July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Made me teary. And I hope he got his MacDonalds too.

     
  11. dramaqueen75 July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Fabulous story – what a great day for you both and wonderful work there Taronga Zoo!

     
  12. Valerie July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    Thanks everyone.
    Our awesome boy is always showing us new ways to live our lives. And no worries on the name. I quite liked being a Russian man for a while!

     
  13. Benison O'Reilly July 4, 2012 Reply
     
     

    A lovely story. Bravo Taronga Zoo. Bravo Billy.

     

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  • liza: I reckon that what with the Catholic church getting a thorough beating over it's cover ups on sex perverts , and ,unchri...

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