Touchstone Volume 26 1706_Touchstone_Winter_Web Version | Page 8

REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT Hugh’s time to shine Hugh Jensen is ticking off goals with CPL. When Michelle Jensen talks about her son Hugh, she reflects that she “doesn’t know where we would be” without the support of CPL. “Hugh’s got a rare genetic disorder and it was all very confronting when we were first told, because no one could tell us more about it,” Michelle, Hugh’s mum, explained. “When Hugh was first diagnosed, I was running from one place to another seeing speech therapists and physiotherapists, it was chaos. I didn’t want to travel, I wanted to focus on Hugh. “Someone recommended CPL and I am so grateful. Everything was under the one roof; it was one place and one team. I would be lost without them,” she said. Hugh has been seeing CPL’s Allied Health team in Toowoomba for six months and Michelle explained that Hugh is making great progress so far. “ Hugh has really just come ahead and I know it’s because of the team at     CPL. ” We have seen so much improvement since starting therapy. “I have to give myself credit too but they’ve been so helpful with things to do at home. They have also worked with his day care to make sure his environments are streamlined to support his therapy goals.” At 21 months, Hugh is an 8 Touchstone Winter 2017 active toddler who loves everything he can get his hands on. When he isn’t out riding his bike, Hugh can be found in the backyard with his dog, Charlie, helping his dad with the vegetable garden, or playing with the clocks around the house. Reflecting on the last few months, Anna said, “CPL’s Toowoomba team are just so accommodating. “I hate hearing people label children with disabilities, the team at CPL treat Hugh as Hugh - as an individual, not a diagnosis, and it’s so important to me,” she said. “It’s a community, it’s so connected and you feel such a part of it, it’s not just an appointment at 3.30pm. “We celebrate each goal together and when Hugh started walking after Christmas, we got excited and cried together too, because we’ve all seen him grow.” For Michelle, the support CPL offers has also extended beyond Hugh and become a vital part of their everyday life. “Not only are they supporting Hugh in his growth and development but they are also supporting me,” she said. “A while back, I had a really down day. We had therapy in the afternoon and I missed my appointment, I had just completely forgotten. “I raced across town and just cried when I got there.