Jean Elliott remembers how completely unprepared she felt giving birth to her son Jesse, who has Down syndrome.
That moment brought a whirlwind of unexpected challenges and emotions, leaving her grappling with a reality she hadn't anticipated.
When Jean was 12 weeks pregnant, she and her husband Sam were told there was a one in nine chance one of their twins would have Down syndrome.
"I was asked if I would like to have an abortion," she said.
But Jean chose to keep both of her babies.
And she's so glad she did.
Jesse, who is a twin, has Down syndrome. (ABC Great Southern: Katrina Tap)
"I probably had a bit of a perspective that disability was a really sad thing to have happen to your family," she said.
"I look back at that now, and there's sort of a bit of shame associated with that, as I didn't know any better at that point."
Jesse's arrival put Jean on a path towards embracing and accepting her son's Down syndrome diagnosis.
Jesse Elliott with his parents and siblings. (ABC News: Katrina Tap )
"The next layer for me was also battling the prejudice of what actually makes a human's life valuable and worthy," Jean said.
Isolation palpable early on
The isolation Jean felt in the early days of motherhood was palpable.
Living in a town more than four hour's drive from Western Australia's capital city, it became apparent to her early on that support would be scarce.
Jean says the gatherings are a great place to share food and stories. (ABC News: Katrina Tap)
"I think there's a real loneliness that comes with something that no-one else around you that you know of is experiencing what you are," she said.
Jean recalls the pivotal moment when she reached out and found support through a national group called 321 Pregnancy Care.
It was a lifeline — a connection to others who understood her fears and uncertainties.
"At that point, it was just this gentle step-by-step progress into the community," she said.
Jesse hi-fives his sisters while having fun at the strawberry farm. (ABC Great Southern: Katrina Tap)
But finding support locally was a lot trickier.
"In a regional area where you can feel a bit isolated, there's a risk of people not feeling a sense of belonging or not having a place," she said.
Sharing stories a 'profound' experience
Jean eventually connected with Down Syndrome Western Australia. It was a turning point that led her to finding a supportive network of parents and children.
In the warmer months the families often meet at a strawberry farm which has a cafe and a playground. (ABC News: Katrina Tap)
"I got to meet all these little children and their mums. And that was incredible," she said.
"It's not something you can just talk about with other people who don't have that lived experience of it."
Jean said being able to sit there and have a cup of tea, get teary, and listen to their stories was a profound experience.
Jesse, and his twin, get to meet lots of other people at the meetings.
"I really, really valued that," she said.
"That was really powerful."
Paying it forward
Jean wanted to bring that sense of connection into her local community, so she became Down Syndrome WA's outreach representative for Albany.
"I strongly believe in community and in belonging," she said.
"There are always new people coming along.
Families in the Albany area meet to share their experiences of living with Down syndrome. (ABC News: Katrina Top)
"I think, knowing what that experience was like for me, early on, I just would love for that to have been available for someone else".
In the warmer months the meetings usually take place at a park or local strawberry farm.
"We all bring food to share and just hang out together, chat, check in," she said.
"The group meet ups mean a great deal to me, it's where we get to share our experiences with each other."
Jesse, who is now five years old, meets people he shares something with.
"My other children learn how to be around people with disabilities and know their experience as siblings is not unique to them," Jean said.
Bringing a community together
Jean said she wanted to continue breaking down barriers and supporting families like hers.
Jesse Elliott was born with Down syndrome. (ABC News: Katrina Tap)
She said a family recently holidaying in Albany with their child who has Down Syndrome contacted her via Facebook.
"We spent the whole week together," she said. "She's a great friend now."
"I'm a big connection person. I'm just always drawn to trying to connect with people and make those connections happen," she said.
"And I get so much out of it. And I think it's fun."