About Us
The journey began with the birth of Cooper, the founder’s son, who was diagnosed with level 3 non-verbal autism. Initially, Cooper’s development seemed typical, and he met all his milestones. However, around 12 months old, signs of regression started to appear. One particularly vivid moment came at a birthday party just before Cooper turned one. It was the first time he saw a balloon, and his reaction was both thrilling and heart breaking, his eyes widened with wonder, and he began to flap his hands and roll his wrists, revealing his first noticeable stim.
A Journey of Love, Hope, & Advocacy for a Brighter Future
How Cooper’s Story Inspired Fight For Their Future Foundation
Cooper’s Diagnosis & Early Challenges
Despite their initial denial, Cooper’s parents swiftly sought evaluations. At two years old, Cooper was officially diagnosed with level 3 non-verbal autism. Confronted with this new reality, his family found themselves overwhelmed by financial, emotional, and practical challenges. Therapy was essential but extremely expensive, and the long waitlists for services felt like an impossible obstacle.
6-12 month waitlist for therapy
$200/hour therapy sessions
Importance of early intervention before age 3
The Fight for Support
1st
YEAR
Application Lost
Cooper’s initial NDIS application was reportedly lost, resulting in an almost year-long delay in securing crucial funding for his therapy.
2nd
YEAR
Long Waitlist
The waitlist for therapy was 6 to 12 months, further postponing access to essential support.
3rd
YEAR
Missed Early Intervention
Delays meant Cooper missed critical early intervention before age 3, affecting his development and long-term quality of life.
The Search
for a Safe Space
Finding a preschool for Cooper was challenging, as there were only six autism-specific preschools in all of Sydney, each at full capacity with long waiting lists. After extensive research and a long wait, Cooper finally secured a spot at SDN Beranga, a preschool dedicated to children with autism. There, he thrived under the care of skilled and compassionate staff who provided a supportive and specialized environment. This experience underscored the urgent need for more specialized preschools to ensure every child with autism has the opportunity to flourish in their early years.
Triumphs and Milestones
Finding the right school for Cooper was a difficult journey. Profiles of children with disabilities, like Cooper’s, are reviewed periodically by a panel until a suitable placement is found. Unfortunately, not all public schools have the necessary resources or support classes to accommodate children with disabilities, such as autism. As a result, the likelihood of these children attending their local school, like their siblings or peers, is low. The family had to endure considerable stress and numerous rejections before Cooper was finally accepted into Werrington County Public School. Thanks to the school’s dedicated staff and supportive environment, Cooper’s confidence grew, and he formed meaningful connections with his peers. Today, Cooper continues to thrive at Werrington County Public School.
Turning Challenges into Action:
The Birth of Fight For Their Future Foundation
Inspired by his son and witnessing him face these challenges daily, the founder was deeply moved as a father. He was determined to ensure that his son, and others like him, had every opportunity to access the support they needed to live independent and fulfilling lives. This commitment led him to confront significant obstacles head-on. Through these experiences, he witnessed firsthand the gaps in support and resources for children with special needs and realized that merely observing these problems wasn’t enough; there was a need to drive change.
About our Founder
With this in mind, Our founder established the Fight For Their Future Foundation (FFTFF). He carefully selected four directors, each closely connected to Cooper’s journey or with personal experiences of similar challenges within their own families or through loved ones. Their passion and drive have created a strong team to guide the foundation, and they also bring the necessary skills to help make the charity’s mission successful.
Board of Directors
Owen Hayes
Founder, Chair & Chief Executive Officer“I’m Owen Hayes, Founder, Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Fight For Their Future Foundation. With over a decade of experience in operations and finance, I bring structure, strategy and long term vision to this organisation. But this foundation was not built from experience alone. It was built from love for my son. As the father of Cooper, a bright and resilient boy living with non verbal autism, I have walked the road many families know too well. The uncertainty. The long waitlists. The unanswered questions. The fierce determination to fight for your child when the system feels overwhelming.This foundation was born from those moments.Fight For Their Future is not simply a charity I lead. It is my life’s work. It represents my commitment to building a world where children with Autism and ADHD are not overlooked, under supported or misunderstood, but fully seen, championed and given every opportunity to thrive.Everything we build, every partnership we form and every dollar we raise moves us closer to that future. And I will not stop until it exists.”
Emma Blakeney
Chief Operating Officer & Board Director“I’m Emma Blakeney, Chief Operating Officer and Board Director of Fight For Their Future Foundation, and a proud mum of three boys, including my non verbal autistic son, Tatum. My journey as Tatum’s mum has opened my eyes to both the beauty and the challenges of raising a child on the spectrum. I know firsthand how exhausting it can be to search for the right support, to navigate systems that feel overwhelming, and to fight for services your child should never have to go without. That lived experience is what drives me. I did not join this foundation simply as a director. I joined as a mother determined to turn frustration into action and challenges into change. I am deeply committed to helping build a future where children with Autism and ADHD are understood, supported and given every opportunity to flourish. A future where families do not feel alone in the journey. Every step we take as a foundation is about making that vision real.”
Jenny Vella
Board Director“My name is Jennifer Vella, and I bring both personal passion and professional experience to my role as a Board Director at Fight For Their Future Foundation. With a background as a bookkeeper and in operations, I am detail oriented, organised and committed to ensuring strong foundations behind everything we build. But my connection to this mission is deeply personal. I am an aunty to an incredible boy on the spectrum. Watching him grow, and witnessing the strength, resilience and love within our family as they navigate the challenges and triumphs of autism, has shaped my perspective in profound ways. That experience has ignited my commitment to advocate for children like him. I am passionate about raising awareness, educating others about life on the spectrum, and helping create the support systems families need to feel empowered rather than overwhelmed. Every child deserves understanding, opportunity and a community that stands beside them.”
Tanya Azar
Board Director“I’m Tanya Azar, a Primary School Teacher and Board Director at Fight For Their Future Foundation, with over ten years of experience across both mainstream and inclusive classrooms. Education has always been more than a profession for me it is a calling rooted in the belief that every child deserves to be seen, understood and supported. Throughout my career, I have developed a deep understanding of how to adapt learning to meet individual needs, recognising that no two children learn in the same way. I have witnessed firsthand the difference that the right support, environment and encouragement can make in a child’s confidence and long term outcomes. At Fight For Their Future Foundation, I am committed to breaking down barriers within education and advocating for systems that truly support children with Autism and ADHD. We are working toward a future where every child has access to quality education, feels valued for who they are, and is empowered to learn, grow and thrive in an environment designed to support their unique strengths.”
01
Illuminate the gaps in care and resources for children with neurological disorders.
02
Drive funding to develop essential facilities, programs, and more.
03
Empower children to thrive and live independent, fulfilling lives.