Narrabri resident Carolyn Davis is determined not to let disability hold her back.
Despite having Downs Syndrome, she leads a life rich in experiences, works hard and reaps the rewards.
Born in 1964 in Sydney, Carolyn first headed west at four years of age when her family moved to Dubbo so she could attend ‘Westhaven’, a school for children with intellectual disabilities.
The Davis family soon moved on to Narrabri, but Carolyn attended school in Wee Waa, as schooling for disabled children had not yet been integrated into the public education system, and this was the only special schooling available nearby.
She completed her education in Tamworth before returning home to work in the Narrabri Shelter, now Challenge Narrabri.
Carolyn’s mother, Kath, said her daughter began to flourish at 16 years of age.
“That was when her life really began, she made her debut in Narrabri and really had great teenage years,” she recalls.
As she grew up, Carolyn became increasingly busy, and perhaps involved in more activities than people who didn’t have the same challenges.
She rode horses through the Narrabri Branch of the Riding for Disabled Association, competed in swimming at State Level, volunteered at Jessie Hunt and the preschool, all while working three days a week at the Challenge Recycling Facility.
She counts swimming as one of her strengths, describing herself as a ‘fish in the water’.
At 50 years old, Carolyn is still working at Challenge but also volunteers at pre-loved clothing shop, One of a Kind, and has her own radio show on community station 2MaxFM.
“She’s a good saver and a good worker, she’s been at Challenge for 34 years, started when she was 16 and was one of the first who started at Challenge,” Kath said.
“Carolyn knows she’s got to work so she can travel.”
And travel she does.
She’s been to Disneyland three times, and also visited the Bahamas, Mexico, New York, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Carolyn’s younger sister, Trish Dandridge, is proud of her ‘larger than life’ sibling.
“Everyone you talk to in Narrabri knows Carloyn, she’s very much part of the community, I’m known as ‘Carolyn’s sister,” she said.
In what little spare time she has, Carolyn enjoys water aerobics, line dancing, craft and listening to Adam Brand.
She lives in a share house, does her own washing and ironing, and is largely independent.
Her mantra in life is simple.
“You can do so many things if you get out and have a go, work hard, save your money and then you can do anything you would want,” she said.
Carolyn’s family has been an important support network over the years, although her mother Kath is careful to point out that she never receives ‘special treatment’.
“Carolyn goes to parties by herself, because she’s an adult and she doesn’t need to take her mother, I’m really firm about that, you don’t need to take your mother when you go dancing,” she explains.
“I think a lot of her strength is due to the fact that she was my first child, Trish came along and then Michael, she didn’t have time to be special!” Kath said.
“She’s a person who wants to do, and she wants to achieve.”