Geelong mum shares inspiring story of son who wins school scholarship

A Geelong mother-of-two has described the “harrowing” moment a pediatrician asked her to decide her newborn son’s fate.

Former Bellarine Secondary College student Jake Richardson has been offered a 12-month funded employment position at his former school thanks to a Kids+ scholarship. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Geelong mother-of-two has described the “harrowing” moment a pediatrician asked her to decide her newborn son’s fate.

Jaime Richardson’s son Jake was born 12 weeks premature with complications including brain bleeds leading to a number of high-risk operations.

Within 10 weeks of giving birth, Ms Richardson was forced to make a decision no mother should have to make.

“The pediatrician sat us down and gave us ‘the talk to prepare you for the talk’ speech,” she said.

“There was the possibility of having to turn the machines off, which was absolutely gut-wrenching.”

Jake Richardson was born 12 weeks premature with complications including multiple brain bleeds. Photo: Supplied.

However, Ms Richardson said her son’s determination and strong will shone through.

“He’s been a fighter from the very beginning,” she said.

“Even before Jake was brought home, his willingness to fight, live and reach milestones was strong.”

Fast-forward two decades, Ms Richardson’s now 20-year-old son has continued to break down barriers, receiving a funded employment position at his former high school.

Mr Richardson graduated from Bellarine Secondary College (BSC) in 2023 before being offered the 12-month position, which has been partly funded by a Kids+ education and employment scholarship.

He works at the school two days a week assisting with administration tasks alongside his support team.

While he has progressed by leaps and bounds, Ms Richardson said her son continues to face day-to-day obstacles as a person living with cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability.

“He still faces challenges every day, especially being non-verbal, having communication boundaries and mobility issues,” she said.

“But he’s so determined and he’s not silly by any means.”

Ms Richardson believes businesses should embrace employing people with disabilities more.

“I think it’s the fear of the unknown for a lot of businesses but really they’re the ones missing out,” she said.

Ms Richardson said support and funding from organisations, including Kids+, BSC and employment services provider MatchWorks, has enabled her son to live a more fulfilling life.

“He comes home happy with a big smile on his face every day that he works,” she said.

“From my perspective … as his mother, that’s all I want to see.

“ … (he) 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.”

Originally published as Geelong mum shares inspiring story of son who wins school scholarship