Human-centered help at the heart of BlueWing Care

BlueWing Care, newly based in Beenleigh, offers advice and assistance for people seeking support from the NDIS – but it’s more than that. 

Founder Zoe Norton’s own story means she can understand, on a deep level, the challenges being faced by many of her clients – and that empathy and connection is just as helpful, she believes, as the practical assistance the organisation can offer. 

Zoe, who lives in Logan Reserve, is  mother to Courtney: a smart, resilient young woman who has recently flown the nest. She’s working, thriving and loving life, just like her mum. 

But the journey to get there was an intense one, which eventually led to Zoe founding Bluewing Care 5 years ago. 

When Courtney was born in 2004, she arrived at 29 weeks. Shortly after she turned one, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. 

‘When she was diagnosed it was heart wrenching. I just had no idea what it meant, and I was in denial for a while – I just didn’t believe it,’ Zoe says. 

With a husband away in the military, and no idea where to turn, Zoe had to find  the support Courtney needed, including courses of Botox in to relax her leg muscles, daily physio and speech therapy. ,Zoe says it was overwhelming.  

‘I did isolate myself a little because I felt like I was being judged and that there was a stigma – I was finding it very hard,’ she says. 

‘But Courtney was such a gorgeous baby, she was so smiley – always laughing and looking at me with these big, beautiful eyes. She was always happy but also always in pain. 

‘The reason I do what I do now is because of my own experiences – I feel I can relate to people going through challenging times because I have been through so many as well.’ 

Courtney was 13 when the NDIS became available. 

‘When Courtney was accepted to the NDIS and had her own package, it meant she was able to access constant occupational therapy, speech therapy, and a dietician, and there was a budget for equipment,’ she says. 

‘It had been so hard – then I looked at Courtney one day, she was happy and in a mainstream high school and had lots of friends, and I thought about the experiences we have had and that maybe it was time for me to use what I learned to help others.’ 

After working in aged care, Zoe studied at night to gain qualifications and began working with a large disability services provider – but it wasn’t long before she wanted to deliver service in her own style.  

‘I was a coordinator, so I was gathering information and sorting paperwork – but I wanted more of a human-centered experience. I felt like I was failing people, and I found the lack of person-to-person connection quite difficult,’ she says. 

Zoe started BlueWing 5 years ago, and now the organisation has more than 250 staff in offices and residential care homes across Queensland and New South Wales. Human connection and customised help are at its core. 

‘The experience people have with us is person-centered, we talk to people and find out their stories, we help them with their plans or applications, we have therapists who work with them to help with diagnoses and recommendations – and we talk to people,’ Zoe says. 

‘Supporting people through the tougher times is something I can do.’ 

Zoe says she is proud of where BlueWing is today and the impact it has had on people.   

‘BlueWing has been an amazing way to find out what I am capable of,’ she says. 

‘I would like to keep growing – supporting more people in the community, growing our therapy team. 

‘Everyone has a story that needs to be heard and that’s how you get results.’    

Find out more about Zoe and Bluewing.