Flying Fox’s Impact on Young Adults: A Parent’s Perspective
As parents, we often look for opportunities that will help our children grow into compassionate, community-minded young adults. For our family, Flying Fox has been that opportunity.
Over the past nine years, all four of our children have proudly served as Flying Fox buddies, and our son has also volunteered in the office. Through their involvement, we have had a front-row seat to the remarkable evolution of the organisation – from a small, energetic team into a thriving not-for-profit that creates life-changing social opportunities for young people with disabilities. Despite this growth, Flying Fox has never lost its essence: a youth-led, relaxed culture that speaks directly to young people.
As a parent, it has been extraordinary to watch our children step into this space and see disability normalised in such a natural and joyful way.
Flying Fox has had a profound effect on our household. It has shifted how we view disability and how we interact with individuals with disabilities in everyday life. One of the most powerful things Flying Fox does is normalise disability, breaking down barriers and ensuring that those living with disability are fully included in the broader community. This mission extends beyond just Flying Fox participants – it has deeply influenced our children, and by extension, us as parents.
“We’ve noticed such a growth in empathy and responsibility in our kids. They don’t just talk about inclusion; they live it.”
Through their volunteering, our kids have taught us as much as they have learned themselves. We have seen them develop a stronger sense of empathy, take on real responsibility, and step confidently into leadership roles. The pride they feel in caring for someone else’s well-being is mirrored by our pride in seeing them grow into young adults who value inclusion and community.
Our admiration for Flying Fox’s mission is what led me, as a parent, to join the board. It is both humbling and inspiring to contribute to an organisation that enriches lives in so many ways – supporting young people with disabilities, providing much-needed respite for families, and nurturing buddies who grow into socially responsible leaders.
“Flying Fox has not only impacted our children, but it has shaped us as parents too. It has become a part of who we are as a family.”
