Jump-start to fund health- Rachael and her husband have started a jumping castle business to benefit their autistic children, Jake and Cooper. 67422

By Lia Bichel
MENTAL health funding cuts have prompted a family to start a new business so they can afford the necessary support for their autistic children.
Narre Warren resident Rachael Woolley and her husband started a jumping castle business to fund their seven-year-old twin boys’ psychiatry appointments next year.
Mrs Woolley’s husband works full-time, but the couple thought it was necessary to start a business after learning they could fork out $260 a week for a psychiatrist for their autistic twins, Jake and Cooper, due to Federal Government mental health funding cuts.
The parents of five children said the twins have benefited immensely since they began seeing a psychiatrist a year ago, and believed their four-year-old son Dylan, who has Asbergers, would also benefit from a psychiatrist if they could afford it.
“For 12 months, Jake and Cooper have been seeing a psychiatrist, who is a specialist in autism and works specifically on their behaviour. It has made such a huge difference- they have had drastic improvements,” Mrs Woolley said.
“At the moment, we are funded for 16 sessions, but next year that will decrease. It’s horrible news and we feel like there is nothing we can do about it, but we are not the only family who will be struggling.”
Woolley Jumpers Jumping Castles offers nine different jumping castles for parties, events or special occasions.
Some of the designs include Spiderman, Dora, Tinkerbell, Scooby Doo, Nemo, Disney Princess and Cars. All castles are set up and dismantled.
All funds from the business will go towards ongoing therapy for the young Woolley children.
Anyone wanting more information, can search for Woolley Jumpers on Facebook or visit the website at www.woolleyjumpers.com.