Parent advocate Rose Babic has received Australian Catholic University’s highest honour for her work empowering caregivers of children with disabilities.
The mother of two, including a young adult son with a congenital brain malformation, accepted an Honorary Doctorate (Honoris Causa) in Melbourne on May 14.
The honorary degree recognises Ms Babic’s work in paediatric disability research and her support of families raising children with developmental concerns through a strengths-based, values-driven approach to caregiving and service delivery.
Originally graduating with a degree in psychology, and later a Graduate Diploma in Education at ACU, Ms Babic’s work in childhood disabilities has been profoundly shaped by her lived experience as a parent of a child with complex disability.
Eric, 21, was diagnosed with polymicrogyria, a brain malformation, at four months old. He lives with cerebral palsy and uncontrolled epilepsy, requiring one-to-one care at all times.
“Eric is very much at the centre of my world, and today our life is both ordinary and extraordinary in ways that many families raising a child with disability will recognise,” Ms Babic said.
“Because Eric has high medical needs, much of each day is focused on keeping him comfortable, feeling loved and safe, and quite simply, keeping him alive.
“The reality of our days includes tube feeding, airway and continence management, alongside plenty of kisses and cuddles.
“It also means coordinating support workers, therapy and medical appointments, navigating funding, and constantly balancing all of this alongside the routines and needs of our wider family.”
Ms Babic said like many caregivers, after Eric’s diagnosis she had uncertainties and fears about the future.
“The challenges are real and often very hard. Caring is physically and emotionally demanding, the uncertainty can be exhausting, and there are times of immense grief and frustration along the way,” she said.
“But alongside that, the family life I hoped for is exactly what we have – it just doesn’t look the way I once imagined, and in many ways, it is richer, deeper and more connected because of Eric.”
Ms Babic said she was “genuinely surprised” to receive the Honorary Doctorate from ACU for sharing her lived experience as evidence-based research and advocacy.
“I see this honour as recognising not only my individual contribution, but also the voices, experiences and resilience of the families and communities I represent.”
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Trailblazing childhood disability researcher and advocate awarded honorary doctorate (ACU)
