Rocky Bay’s ESIP Making Strides on Rare Diseases Day

Today is Rare Diseases Day – a day to raise awareness for the 300 million people worldwide living with a rare disease, their families, and carers.

At Rocky Bay we’re championing supporting young children with rare diseases through our Early Start Intervention Program (ESIP).

The ESIP program is specifically targeted towards children displaying signs and symptoms of significant developmental delay and/or developmental regression, as well as risk factors associated with rare disease.

ESIP Coordinator and Physiotherapist Consultant (Fellowship) Cristina Lee says since the program’s inception in 2021, the feedback has been positive.

“Our program provides life changing support and assists caregivers to feel confident and empowered in their ability to support their child’s goals by providing them with strategies they can embed into everyday activities and routines,” Cristina says.

For some of our ESIP participants, Rocky Bay is the only community-based support they can access, as they are ineligible for other services or need support to determine their eligibility.

Our ESIP therapists can assist families in the transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) as well as providing their services and support.

One of our amazing ESIP physiotherapists, Ty Kowalski works with participants and has seen some amazing progress over his time.

 “I’ve seen families joy at the growth of their children with the support of ESIP,” Ty says.

“Their confidence in advocating for their children and their support in us has been a true testament to the support ESIP offers.

“Not only does it provide the regular therapy that families want, but provides support with navigating and accessing the NDIS, allowing families to feel more confident in their first meeting, resulting in NDIS plans that support their child to the fullest.

“ESIP has been praised by countless families for the support offered and allowing them to feel seen and heard,” Ty says.

The program allows early access to services like paediatric therapists that can be accessed without a diagnosis, benefiting early development.

The ESIP team are multidisciplined and work collaboratively, allowing them to provide significant support with navigating their first plan and having access To NDIS funding, ensuring maximum benefits.

“The program allows a regular touchpoint and engagement from therapy which sometimes is missed in the public system,” Ty says.

“My favourite part about working with participants is seeing their skills improve and the familes joy that comes with the growth.

“Hearing their stories and supporting them through the unknown is rewarding. There is appreciation from the family for being heard and seen,” Ty says.

Thanks to our amazing ESIP team for all the hard work you do in improving the lives of our customers.

Click here for more information on our Early Start Intervention Program.