As the biological mother of an intellectually impaired daughter and foster carer to three younger boys with disabilities, Leanne, 50, finds inspiration in things the rest of us take for granted.
“When you have children with disabilities, it’s not about them making class captain or winning a soccer game,” says Leanne.
“It’s hearing them put two or three words together in a sentence that they couldn’t do before. Or watching them get up and walk at two and a half. Those kinds of things I love to see them achieve.”
When her daughter Lauren and son Tim grew more independent as teenagers, no one would have begrudged Leanne from taking more time out for herself.
Instead, she did the exact opposite, taking on three young boys with “complex needs”.
A very deserving Leanne Robson with Tony Abbott, Mel Doyle and Tony’s wife, Margie.
“As an early childhood teacher, and being compassionate and loving toward children, I thought it was the way to go,” she says.
“It was time for my husband [Geoff] and I to give back.”
Leanne’s Mother Of The Year nominator and police shift-worker Geoff is a huge support with the children.
Lauren, now 22, recently spread her wings and moved out with her big brother Tim, 25, but there’s still never a dull moment in the Robson home.
“You can’t take your eyes off the children for a second,” says Leanne, whose hectic day usually starts at 4am. “But Geoff is so wonderful. He’ll have the dinner ready for me before he goes to work.”
Congratulations to this incredible mum! Read her full story only in Woman’s Day, on sale 11th April
