A YOUNG woman with cerebral palsy and vision impairment wanted to provide more activities for residents in nursing homes, so she took on the initiative to raise funds to purchase Ipads for the residents.
Thanks to the support of the community and a generous business owner who requested to remain anonymous, she has reached her target of $2,500 and will be able to purchase six Ipads.
Ms Katie Soulos, with the help of Enable Southwest developed her own small business called Katalina’s Book Club which aims to bring activities and ebooks to residents in nursing homes.
Ms Soulos was overwhelmed by the support of the community and said it was a dream come true for her to be able to help more people.
“I’ve always wanted to help people with disabilities and the elderly and now they are going to be able to play bowling, all sorts of games and read ebooks on the Ipad,”Ms Soulos said.
“I have friends that are vision impaired and would also like to look for others things that can help them, like large print books.”
She has currently been volunteering at the Opal Bunbury Gardens village where she has been using her technology expertise to teach the residents to use an Ipad.
She hopes the Ipads will engage the nursing home residents and build a stronger network of friendship and positivity.
Enable’s jumpstart program is facilitated by Renae Hartmann who said Ms Soulos’ self esteem and confidence had boosted since she started her small business.
“She has a real heart for the vision impaired and it has been enjoyable seeing her flourish,” Ms Hartmann said.
