Debbie Dorfan has been the People & Culture Partner at CPSN for the past 18 months, having worked in various People & Culture roles within the organization over the last four years. She is deeply passionate about supporting all clients and brings valuable lived experience of Cerebral Palsy (CP) to her work.
Connecting with the CPSN Community
Debbie first reached out to CPSN seeking a referral to a medical professional specializing in consulting with adults with CP after experiencing significant changes in her physical health. Once her referral was approved, she was surrounded by a supportive network of Orthopedic surgeons and Neuro-Physiotherapists who helped her rebuild her strength, balance, and coordination, greatly improving her walking and overall movement.
“CP is a journey that is different for everyone, and everyone's experience is unique. Having CP is just a part of my identity; it does not define me completely.”
Debbie also shared a lesson she learned through her experiences: “Hindsight is 20/20 vision, but I wish I had not had a gap of 30+ years without Physiotherapy. Our bodies are always a work in progress. If there’s one thing I would advise the CP Community, it’s to never stop physical therapy and never assume there’s nothing you can do about decline as you age.”
Debbie’s Time to Shine
Debbie finds the most satisfaction in her role through interactions with CPSN staff and Support Workers. Her work varies widely, from helping with payroll to organizing organizational training sessions for support workers. She particularly enjoyed being involved in member-based initiatives at CPSN, such as the online "Tribal Wisdom" program, which was created during the tough times of the COVID pandemic to help members connect.
Adapting to Life with Children
As a mother of three, Debbie shared how she adapted to parenting with CP and how her children helped her navigate her physical limitations. “I was fortunate that my eldest was a girl who followed rules and set a good example for the others. They learned early on to stay close to me when we were out. As soon as they could walk, they understood I couldn’t pick them up but was always happy to give cuddles when sitting down. It’s the little things like that that made parenting with CP work.”
When not working, Debbie enjoys relaxing, socializing with friends over good food, going for walks when the weather is nice, and listening to engaging audiobooks.
Debbie’s Three Tips for Living Her Best Life with Cerebral Palsy:
- Life is a journey with its ups and downs.
- Reach out for help when needed – you don’t have to face it alone.
- Trust the process.
If anything about CPSN has intrigued you or if you just want to chat, don’t hesitate to reach out at 9478 1001 or email cpsn@cpsn.org.au. We’re here to help.
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