This year marks a special milestone — Tom has been part of the BestLife family for 10 years.
Tom, who is turning 16, first joined BestLife as a bright-eyed six-year-old, longing for connection. While he loved going to school, weekends were tough. His parents, Natalie and Gordon, could see their son’s sparkle starting to fade.
“Tom was becoming lonely at home with nothing to do and no friends to play with,” Natalie recalls. “He didn’t want to just play with us anymore, he wanted his own friends and a sense of independence, just like other kids.”
Like many children with complex needs, Tom faced challenges finding meaningful weekend activities. Watching his brother play sport while sitting on the sidelines left Tom feeling left out, and it broke his family’s hearts. “We were filled with guilt and panic. There just weren’t any options for him,” Natalie says.
Then, they discovered BestLife.
From his very first visit, Tom found a place where he belonged. Starting with a monthly Day Program, he quickly built friendships, gained new skills, and rediscovered his love for life. “He would wake up early, sit by the door with a huge smile, waiting to go,” says Natalie.
Over time, Tom transitioned into the Friday Night Sleepover Program — and has never looked back. “I was nervous,” Natalie admits. “Tom has high support needs, but watching him embrace the sleepover program with so much confidence showed me he was ready. He was telling us, in his own way, that he wanted the same opportunities as his brother.”
Today, Tom is a confident teenager with friends, independence, and a weekend he looks forward to.
“There’s nothing else like BestLife,” says Natalie. “It has brought joy to Tom’s life — and hope to ours. Seeing Tom with his mates, having a good time and learning to be independent, just means everything,” said Natalie.
