Living in regional NSW meant lengthy waitlists for essential care for Maisie, until her family found Flying Start.
Every child deserves the chance to thrive, no matter where they live.
If seven-year-old Maisie had her way, she'd spend every day riding her motorbike, helping muster sheep and following her beloved dogs around her family's 21,000-acre property near Collarenebri in north-west NSW.
Her mum, Hayley, says she has always loved being outdoors but for years, life wasn't so easy for the farming family of six.
"We always knew there was something different about Maisie," she says.
"Even a simple song like 'Happy Birthday' would cause a total meltdown, but we didn't know why or how to help," she said.
The family began searching for answers when they were living in Yeoval, near Wellington, when Maisie was just three years old.
Living in regional NSW meant lengthy waitlists and much uncertainty as months stretched into years.
When Hayley's husband, Trent moved to the farm they now call home, Hayley stayed behind with the children and for almost four years, the family lived apart.
“We waited to move purely because we were on the waitlist for therapy for Maisie in Dubbo, and we didn’t think it would be possible to access any services out here. We wanted our family together, but we really felt a waitlist was our only hope.”
When the family finally relocated to the farm in 2024, Hayley was so worried about Maisie's future that she began converting an old shed into a classroom, convinced distance education was the only option for her daughter.
The turning point came when a neighbour encouraged Hayley to reach out to Lightning Ridge Central School and staff there introduced her to the Variety Flying Start Paediatric Service.
Within months, Maisie was enrolled and receiving regular occupational and speech therapy.
A much-anticipated Paediatrician visit followed and in a single appointment, Maisie was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Level 2) and ADHD.
"Flying Start changed everything. Honestly, it was so fast and so easy, I was amazed."
"The Paediatrician had already met with all the therapists before he came to us. He knew everything about Maisie, he had really done his homework."
“I couldn’t believe we could access that expert level of care for her here in our own community. For my own specialist appointments, I often have to drive the 1000km round trip to Dubbo and while I manage as an adult, Maisie would never have coped going back and forth like that.”
"Her diagnosis has changed every aspect of our life. It lifted a huge weight from our shoulders and our parenting, and our family is so different now because we know what she needs.
“It’s true what they say – knowledge is power. That couldn’t be more truthful in our experience.”
The diagnosis also opened the door to additional support, including dietary advice for Maisie's feeding challenges and the ability for her school to access the resources she needs.
Maisie is now thriving in Year 1 and earlier this year, Maisie's teacher approached Hayley with exciting news.
Academically, Maisie was excelling and was ready for an extension class - something Hayley would never have dreamed possible.
Even more importantly, she was making friends.
"She's always loved animals more than people," Hayley laughs.
"But now she's slowly letting people into her little circle. It's wonderful watching her world get bigger."
Looking back, Hayley still finds it hard to believe the family's greatest support came after moving hundreds of kilometres further from major services.
"I never imagined we'd receive better support living out here than we ever did before," she says.
"I honestly don't know where we'd be without Flying Start."
Today, Hayley hopes more rural families will have the same opportunity.
"There are so many children out here who need this kind of support. We feel incredibly fortunate that we were part of Flying Start, but every child deserves this chance."
"A diagnosis doesn't change who your child is. It just gives you the understanding to help them become who they're meant to be."
The Variety Flying Start Paediatric Service is a community-led program delivered by Marathon Health, in partnership with Variety - the Children's Charity NSW/ACT, with thanks to the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club for its contribution to the Flying Start Service in Lightning Ridge.
Every child deserves the chance to explore, grow, and dream without limits. Their potential shouldn’t be defined by disability, illness, or financial hardship. We work to remove those barriers and open the doors to new possibilities.
