Molly Beggs, Mia Noorderbroek inspire as housemates

Two young, non-verbal Geelong women who have known each other since prep have come to rely on each other as housemates. Read their inspiring story.

Friends Molly Beggs and Mia Noorderbroek pictured in their Mount Duneed home they share. Picture: Brad Fleet

Two young women, who are former schoolmates both living with rare disorders, are now tackling life as housemates.

Molly Beggs, 24, has Rett syndrome, while Mia Noorderbroek, 21, has Pitt-Hopkins syndrome.

Both are non-verbal, intellectually impaired and have limited mobility.

The pair, who attended Barwon Valley special school together, have known each other since prep.

With the support of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, almost two years ago they moved into a modified three bedroom home in Mount Duneed, where they have around-the-clock care.

Mia’s mum, Meg, recalled years ago she wondered whether they could be a match to live together in the future.

“I never thought it would happen,” she said.

Friends Mia Noorderbroek and Molly Beggs pictured in their Mount Duneed home they share. Picture: Brad Fleet

Molly’s mum Tracy, who lives in Ocean Grove, connected with Meg through a mutual respite service.

“I spent 20 years caring for Mia at home, absolutely loved it but it was exhausting,” Meg said.

“It can be very exhausting physically and mentally.

“Once she moved out, it was like ‘what does everybody do with their time?’.”

Mia now lives a walk of just minutes away from her mum.

Molly and Mia go to programs and carers take them on outings, and they enjoy dinners out on Friday nights.

Tracy said they had a sister-like relationship.

“They do look at each other and smile,” she said.

Tracy described her daughter as social and happy, while Meg said inspiring Mia loved soaking up the atmosphere at Geelong’s waterfront and enjoyed music.

Meg said Mia and Molly looked out for and relied upon each other.

Mia moving out to live independently had been life-changing, her mum said.

Molly and Mia are among the thousands of Geelong region residents who will be celebrated on Saturday for International Day of People with Disability.

The number of active NDIS participants with an approved plan in the Barwon region has grown significantly – there were 10,277 on September 30, up from 6117 five years before.

As part of International Day of People with Disability celebrations, the ‘Two of Us’ photography exhibition will be on at the Geelong Library from Saturday until December 22.

The exhibition highlights the importance of friendships, relationships and community connection for people with a disability and the significant people, and animals, in their lives.

Shot on black and white film by a local artist, the photographs and stories capture the mutually enriching relationships between these companions.

Originally published as Molly Beggs, Mia Noorderbroek inspire as housemates