Beatrice’s Story
“Beams is very important to us as a family, the respite care and summer holiday clubs allow Beatrice to take part in activities that she can’t always access. It’s a wonderful service” Beatrice’s mum, Amber
Amber and Trevor live with their three daughters Alice, Charlotte, and Beatrice, along with their much–loved Cockerpoo, Ruby.
Their youngest daughter, Beatrice who is 12years old, has
Down syndrome.
Beatrice’s radiance shines bright; she is very cheerful with a big personality and a love for drama and performing. Her favourite show is Strictly Come Dancing, and she is a huge fan of Ellie Goldstein. Beatrice also loves McDonald’s, Hula Hoops, and spending time with others, she is happiest when she is surrounded by people.
Life with Down syndrome brings daily challenges. Beatrice
experiences significant pain when walking due to hypermobility, flat feet, and foot aversion. This greatly affects her mobility and limits what the family can do together, especially on outings that involve extended walking. She often needs a wheelchair to help her get around more comfortably.
In addition to physical challenges, Beatrice has speech and language difficulties. She sometimes uses sign language to communicate, but is often hard for others to understand. Her family frequently steps in to translate. She also struggles with fine motor skills, which makes personal hygiene and self–care more difficult for her. Socially, she finds it hard to make friends and relies heavily on her older sisters for play and companionship.
Despite these challenges, Beatrice loves school and gives her all to her learning. She is a happy and determined young girl who brings joy to those around her. Amber first heard about We Are Beams shortly after Beatrice was born. The hospital referred her to a local support group called Little Buddies, who introduced her to the vital care services Beams provides. Since then, Beams has become an essential part of the family’s life, especially during the school holidays, when access to consistent, supportive care is limited.
Beams offers Beatrice a wide range of respite services, including Short Break holiday activities and family events, which allow Beatrice to experience independence, make friends, and enjoy new activities in a safe and inclusive environment. Beams doesn’t just benefit Beatrice, their wrap-around services make a real difference for the whole family. The respite support gives Amber and Trevor time to rest and recharge, and allows them to spend much-needed quality time with Alice and Charlotte. Beams gives Beatrice the chance to shine in her own space, to be independent, to build friendships, and to take part in experiences that help her grow in confidence.
Photos of Beatrice and her family at We Are Beams.
