Jelena Mijailovic is well known among Logan locals for her many creative endeavours, dedication to volunteering, and enthusiasm for connecting with the community.
Jelena lives with an intellectual impairment known as Down Syndrome. Although she’s a resident of South Brisbane, many of the services she accesses day to day are based in Logan.
Several times a week, Jelena attends Zumba classes and music therapy sessions where she is learning to play the guitar at libraries in Logan. She’s also employed by Help Enterprises, a service that helps people with disabilities to live independently.
Last year, Jelena was nominated for Volunteer of the Year by staff at the Logan libraries, for her work at Marsden Library and with Woodridge-based non-profit The Ladybird Care Foundation, which she said made her feel “happy.”
In 2021, Jelena and her mother, Sue Mijailovic, were invited to a high tea fundraiser for local charity Ladybird Care, which is dedicated to supporting parents who are grieving the loss of a child, and was established in 2020 following the loss of Emma Louise Pascoe, the founders’ 18-year-old daughter.
Jelena went to school with Emma and regularly participates in fundraisers and initiatives in her memory.
Ms Mijailovic, who is a dressmaker, donated metres of organza material which she decided to sew into flowers to be auctioned off at Ladybird Care’s annual gala, held in August this year.
At the end of the evening, Jelena had raised more than $6000 by auctioning off 100 flowers that were attached to her dress.
“On the night we barely sat down, everyone was coming up to Jelena and talking to her,” Ms Mijailovic said.
“I had a ball,” Jelena said.
At Marsden Library, Jelena is known by staff and regular library visitors for putting away books and materials, and her friendliness.
Sandra Lovelock has worked as a carer with Jelena for 13 years and said, “She really enjoys volunteering at the library; we meet so many people, who are now all friends.”
The National Disability Scheme (NDIS) has opened up opportunities like volunteer work for Jelena, Ms Mijailovic said.
“The NDIS is amazing, because I can employ Sandra who can take her everywhere, to community events and to participate in volunteering work,” Ms Mijailovic said.
“It’s had a major impact on her life.”
Disability awareness in the community has improved, Ms Mijailovic said, in large part due to the NDIS.
“The NDIS has brought a lot of awareness and inclusion into the community; people aren’t scared of disability now,” she said.
“A lot of times, when Jelena was growing up, people had moved away from her when she touched them or walked up to them.
“Now people are much more aware, and there are greater employment opportunities and things like that for people with disabilities.”
In 2014, Jelena attended a card-making workshop, a skill she has continued to nurture. Now Jelena sells her handmade and decorated cards to the public. As of September this year, she’s sold 953 cards.
Card making has drastically improved Jelena’s fine-motor skills, Ms Mijailovic said, and has improved her confidence and ability to connect with others.
“She’s gotten so good at making cards, and she can do that all by herself.
“She loves to be with people, she loves to be out and about,” Ms Mijailovic said. “She loves doing things.”
Ms Mijailovic said one of the barriers she, as a parent of a child with a disability, and Jelena have faced is making sure she advocates strongly to find effective strategies for Jelena to participate in everyday life.
“I found that if I don’t step up and do something, she’s not going to get anywhere, so I’ve stepped up and given her opportunities and access to carers who will work with her.”
“She works two days a week, she’s out and about in the community the other three days, she has got music therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy that I can access through the NDIS.
“On the gala night, people who recognised her from the library came up to her and gave her a big hug and kisses; we didn’t have much time to sit down.”
