For Marie Clare Oswald, reaching 50 is more than just a birthday, it is a milestone that once seemed almost impossible.
Known as Clare, she was born on 22 October 1976 and has spent her life defying the odds after being diagnosed as a young child with Rett syndrome, a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder that predominantly affects girls.
At just 16 months old, Clare began falling and her speech became slurred. After doctors in Australia were unable to determine what was happening, her parents, Pam and David, travelled to the United States, where Clare was diagnosed with Rett syndrome. Her parents were told Clare could have a shortened lifespan of just eight to 16 years due to the serious health complications associated with the condition.
Now, Clare is turning 50. She is believed to be the second-oldest person with Rett syndrome in Australia and the oldest in Queensland. For guardian Gloria Dolan (who has known Clare since birth) and fellow guardian, daughter-in-law Tristen, the occasion is one worth celebrating.
“Clare’s parents, who are sadly no longer with us, were told she would be lucky to live into her teens,” Gloria said. “Age-wise, no one knows, a lot of girls don’t live past their 20s, but some, like our Clare, keep going and going. She’s defying the odds, and to me, that’s a big milestone.”
Overcoming Daily Challenges with Joy and Spirit
Clare’s life has not been without challenges. She lives with seizures, scoliosis and significant neurological delays. She is unable to talk, walk or feed herself and recently had to have a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) tube placed. But nothing stops Clare from communicating, with a special photo and card system set up in her Caboolture South home where she receives assistance from support worker Belinda and carer Maggie.
“She knows what she likes and what she doesn’t,” Gloria said. “She’s got a beautiful heart and she wants to be here in this world.”
Clare’s life is about far more than her medical needs. She loves animals, trips to the beach, bush and rainforest walks, visiting SEA LIFE and exploring places such as the Bribie Island Butterfly House. She is also a much-loved member of Gloria’s over-50s community, where she has become something of a mascot to residents at line dancing, guitar group and diamond dot activities.
Clare’s 50th birthday will be celebrated surrounded by the people who have become part of her extended family, all coming together to mark the extraordinary occasion.
The team at Caboolture Guide wish Clare a very Happy 50th Birthday!
Read more stories from The Caboolture Guide print magazine here:
- Caboolture Connect: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Organic Gardening in October
- Fish of the Month: Fringefin Trevally
- Brisbane Writers Festival Returns With Big Stories
- Community Groups Unite to Support the Homeless
- Queensland Ultimate Challenge Puts The Focus Back On Dancing
- Homegrown Stars Set to Bring the Beats to Burpengary
- Classic LandCruiser Expo Returns Bigger and Better
- Cricket at Nicholson’s Paddock: A Timeline of Wamuran’s Cricket Years
- Morayfield Morning Markets Continue to Grow
- Dance the Nutbush and Make a Difference
- New Wastewater Pipeline to Support Growing Communities
