Parents create 'university of life' for non-verbal daughter

When Lillian Rowsell finished school and formal education was no longer an option, her parents, Andrea and Chris Rowsell, sought a creative solution to support her. Inspired by Lillian's friends attending university, they established their own "university of life" (UOL) in 2020.

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All her friends were going to uni, so we thought: 'Well, let's make our own university.'

The UOL is a specialized learning space set up in Lillian's grandfather's unused flat in Old Bar, New South Wales. This dedicated campus allows Lillian, who has a rare brain condition called hemimegalencephaly, to leave her home each day with a sense of purpose. Her parents aimed to create the healthiest and best possible solution for her daily life, ensuring she had a separate learning environment tailored to her complex needs and non-verbal cues.

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Lillian then got to leave our house every day with a purpose instead of everything being inside her house.

Lillian, who experienced seizures from two weeks old and underwent surgery to remove half her brain, attended mainstream school with the support of aides. Her family emphasized the supportive school community that embraced her participation. However, they found that available post-school options were unsuitable for Lillian's specialized care requirements.

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What this family has built is remarkable, and individualised NDIS funding is what makes an approach like this possible.

With funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) for six hours of support daily, Lillian's former aides continue to work with her through Uniting. Professor Iva Strnadova from the University of NSW's Disability Innovation Institute praised the family's approach as remarkable and individualised, highlighting how NDIS funding makes such tailored support possible. She noted that for individuals with complex needs, this approach can be the difference between a full life and isolation, emphasizing that young people with disabilities desire growth, connection, and belonging just like anyone else.

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For someone with complex, high-support needs, it can be the difference between a full, active life and isolation.