Meet Our Team
Kasey Armstrong
FOUNDER
Hi, my name is Kasey, and I am the founder of Adonai House – Hannah’s Sanctuary for the Disabled.
I am mom to my 15-year-old special needs angel, Hannah, who has a rare, genetic condition called CDLS, as well as Autism, Epilepsy and Mood Dysregulation Disorder.
I also have 2 other amazing kids ages 4 and 16. As parents of a special needs child with a profound intellectual disability, we know first-hand the lack of resources and available facilities for these special kiddos, as well as the subsequent impact that this has on the family unit.
It is this struggle that has led me to try and birth something great – Adonai House – Hannah’s Sanctuary for the Disabled. A residential and day care facility for those with intensive special needs, just like my Hannah.
As parents, all we want is to give our kids a good, happy life. Where they can thrive and live THEIR best life. Today I am choosing to stand up and make something of our struggle.
Today I choose to stand on the grace God has given me, to do all that I can; to do more. And hopefully, make a difference. Not just for Hannah, but for many other kids like her and families just like ours
Fiona Sawyer
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Hi, my name is Fiona, I am a 43-year-old Mom to 3 beautiful kids and the aunt to a high spectrum non-verbal Autistic Adult named Edmondo.
Having witnessed how my mom and sister struggled for years to get Edmondo the correct medical diagnosis & treatment, adequate support and education, not to mention a facility that could help support our family who had a very limited income, I jumped at the opportunity to be part of an organisation that could change so many families lives. Having volunteered at the facility where my nephew was fortunate enough to get a space until he was 18, allowed me to see that we need more safe spaces for families and those with special needs to offer emergency support in the case of where the primary caregiver falls ill, relief support – to assist families with overnight or weekend support on a rotational basis, Educational and medical support in terms of licensed psychiatrists, social workers, doctors etc to help assist in the medical and mental needs many of these special needs children and adults need. We also need someone to advocate on behalf of these children and adults who are not able to do so for themselves.
We all know that our current health system is under immense strain and even more so with those who have special needs or disabilities. The few facilities that we do have available are in dire need of funding, staff, space and have waiting lists of years long with many families in need of immediate assistance having nowhere to turn.
The relief that we can bring to many families and those with special needs is a very real thing and I hope to be on the front lines of making a real tangible difference to many family’s lives
Michelle Franke
DIRECTOR
Hi, I am Michelle. I met Kasey through the school where I work and where her youngest daughter attends. I saw what a dedicated, humble, selfless mother she is, who never loses her cool. She hardly ever (I could probably say never) gets a break from her special needs daughter. And yet she is always upbeat, laughing and smiling. And I do believe that is because of her unyielding faith. But there is a big price this family pays! Having a non-verbal teenager who is in pain most of the time with other issues and on lots of medication is no walk in the park and affects every single member of their family!
After getting to know Kasey over the last year, she asked me if I wanted to become involved in Adonai House. I said yes. I truly believe the right home for these children will be found and I believe there won’t just be one! These families need it just as much as the children.