Help Adelaide Access Adventure, Independence and Inclusion

Hi, we're Amanda, Jaster and our beautiful daughter Adelaide from Townsville.

If you've followed Adelaide's Neighbourhood, you'll know that Adelaide is a joyful, adventurous six-year-old who absolutely loves camping, hiking, exploring nature and making the most of every opportunity life gives her.

Behind that adventurous spirit, however, is an incredibly rare diagnosis.

Adelaide lives with Multicentric Carpotarsal Osteolysis (MCTO)—an ultra-rare genetic condition affecting only around 60 people worldwide. MCTO causes progressive bone loss, chronic pain, reduced mobility and carries a significant risk of kidney disease. Since her diagnosis, Adelaide has undergone countless scans, surgeries, hospital admissions, serial casting, specialist appointments and ongoing treatments, all while continuing to face each day with remarkable resilience and a smile on her face.

Despite the challenges she faces, Adelaide refuses to let her disability define her. She still dreams of camping under the stars, exploring new places and creating memories with our family.

Unfortunately, as Adelaide grows, our current vehicle is no longer meeting her and her assistive technology needs.

We currently drive a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe that has no wheelchair modifications.

Every trip requires us to manually lift both Adelaide and her 23kg+ wheelchair in and out of the vehicle. As her wheelchair becomes larger and heavier, and Adelaide grows stronger but less able to transfer independently, this is becoming increasingly difficult and unsafe for both her and us.

To make matters more challenging, a vehicle must meet strict NDIS eligibility requirements before it can be modified with a wheelchair ramp and accessibility equipment. This means we essentially need to purchase a new vehicle in order for any vehicle modifications to be made.

Our goal is to raise $60,000 towards a professional-recommended wheelchair-accessible vehicle that will allow Adelaide to:

But Access for Adelaide is about more than just our family.

Through Adelaide's Neighbourhood, we've built an online community dedicated to raising awareness of MCTO, promoting accessibility and inclusion, and encouraging other families navigating disability.

With an accessible vehicle, we hope to continue sharing accessible adventures, reviewing inclusive destinations, advocating for better accessibility, and showing other families that disability doesn't have to mean missing out on life's adventures.

Last year, our community came together in an incredible way when we completed the Great Island Trek on Magnetic Island, raising over $6,300 for MCTO research. We've also been humbled to share Adelaide's story on the TODAY Show, 7NEWS, ABC Radio and in the Townsville Bulletin, helping shine a light on this rare condition.

Now we're asking for the community’s help once again.

We are looking to partner with local Townsville organizations to help make this goal a reality. Whether that’s sponsorship, partnership or just a small donation, every contribution brings Adelaide one step closer to a future with greater freedom, independence and inclusion.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in Adelaide, supporting our family and helping us create a future where every adventure is accessible.

With gratitude,

Amanda, Jaster & Adelaide ❤️

*Professional Photos taken by KZ Photography