Courage in motherhood is what personifies Louise Taheny of Point Turton, as, with her trademark pink lip-sticked smile, she bravely recounts her family’s journey, one that is marked with pride and resilience.
Louise and her husband, John have raised five children; Edwina, Tom, Lucy, William, and Hugo, on the family farm, but it has not come without challenges. Youngest son, Hugo was born with Down Syndrome and another son, William, was a passenger in a car accident in 2022. This devastating event had lasting effects on Will, who is now a quadriplegic.
On the day that changed the family’s lives forever, Louise, an early childhood educator, had planned a professional development day for colleagues. She was 90-minutes north of her home, when she got the terrible news of Will’s accident, immediately heading to the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Louise did not return home for four months.
“We rented a house in Adelaide and went into survival mode. Our beautiful country community helped us so much, both with Hugo and with the never-ending support through messages, food, and love. It was the same when Hugo was born. As we were coming to terms with things, I didn’t cook a meal for six months, thanks to the generosity of our community. At five o’clock every night, someone would be at our door with a meal.”
Louise said that it is one thing to learn your child has suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury, but it is absolutely heartbreaking to learn everything that goes with it.
“The first time Will was allowed home following his accident, the enormity of his injuries was absolutely devastating,” she said. “I am in awe of his strength and the independence he has worked so hard to achieve.
“Being a carer in the rural communities is isolating and it’s constant, that mental load is huge.”
Typical of Louise’s courage, she has turned her focus to helping her boys make the most of their lives. Will was recently named as the 2024 SA Sharks Wheelchair Rugby Player of the Year and the National League’s Division 2 best low pointer.
Hugo, aka “Hugo Rockstar” is an advocate for young people with disabilities and a world champion in shotput and discus, holding world records in these disciplines, as well as javelin. During his sporting achievements, Hugo has competed throughout Australia and in France and Fiji. He coaches young children, speaks at schools, and works as a health ambassador for Down Syndrome Australia. Hugo has also just started a new job as an advisory board member for NDIS and in his words, he is “having
a voice and telling the government what they can do better.”
“Through both Will and Hugo’s journeys, we have met so many amazing and inspirational people,”Louise said. “People have been so generous with their time and genuine support.”
Ready to share her story with others, Louise is now drafting a book, “Where there’s a Will.” Writing this using journals she kept since Will’s accident, Louise says it is a cathartic process. The result will be a mother’s moving story about her journey through hard times. Louise stresses it is not about Will or Hugo’s personal stories as ‘they have their own stories to tell.’
Thrust into the role of advocate for people with disabilities, and with many years acting as a carer, Louise finds herself often asked to speak about her experiences. In January, she will feature on the podcast Motherland – created by Motherland Australia, a national charity that advocates for the emotional wellbeing of rural mothers in Australia.
“As parents, John and I always had high expectations about our children. In saying that we’ve only ever wanted them to be the best people that they can be, and to show them that anything is possible,” Louise said. “We’ve tried to support them in their choices, and we’ve done lots of driving to make those things happen. I’ve found a lot of strength from Will’s approach to keep on going. He’s incredibly inspirational.”
