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Endeavour Foundation is celebrating 75 years. Ruth Williams' story is part of how it all began.
Ruth was born with Down syndrome in 1944. At this time, medical advice was for parents to place children like Ruth in an institution. Her parents, Harry and Billie, chose to raise her at home instead.
With very little support available, Ruth became part of everything the family did. While Harry worked as an interstate truck driver, Billie cared for Ruth and their growing family, taking her everywhere she went.
When Ruth's younger brother was born, her parents bought her a doll named Daisy.
The doll quickly became Ruth's constant companion.
"Daisy was Ruthie's baby," Ruth’s brother-in-law David said.
"She would proudly introduce Daisy to people, but no one was allowed to hold her."
A Family’s Story, Told Statewide
As Ruth grew older, Billie heard about a woman in Bowen Hills who had opened her home to support children with disability.
She began making regular train trips from Corinda with Ruth, Daisy and Ruth’s young sister Marion, giving Ruth one of the few opportunities available at the time to spend time with other children like herself.
Around 1950, Ruth's story was featured in The Courier Mail.
The response was overwhelming.
Donations began arriving from across Queensland, all marked "For Ruth."
Rather than keeping the money, Harry and Billie donated it to the Bowen Hills support group, believing it should help other families raising children with disability.
That support group formed part of the growing movement that would eventually lead to the establishment of what is now known as Endeavour Foundation.
The Ruth Her Family Knew
David remembers Ruth as someone who showed love to everyone around her.
"Ruthie was the epitome of unconditional love," he said.
"She was gentle, shy and caring. She was fiercely protective of those she loved."
Although Ruth never received a formal education, she had an incredible memory and found her own ways of helping those around her.
She remembered people's names, wrote grocery lists in her own unique symbols, and was always looking for ways to support her family.
Those qualities left a lasting impression on future generations of the family.
David's daughter Rachel – Ruth’s niece – remembers Ruth as the only adult in her life who never raised her voice at anyone.
"She was always sweet tempered, loving and caring,” Rachel said.
Ruth's love for Daisy never faded. When the doll began showing signs of age, her sister Marion arranged for Daisy to be restored at a doll hospital before bringing her home again. After Ruth passed away, Daisy stayed with the family, where she remains today.
"Daisy is a symbol of Ruth's unconditional love," David said.
What Ruth’s Story Means Today
David often wonders how different Ruth's life may have been if she had been born decades later.
"The opportunities now available to children like Ruth are amazing thanks to the Endeavour Foundation," he said.
He believes preserving Ruth's story is important, because it reflects the determination of families who helped create better opportunities for future generations.
Today, families have access to services, education, employment opportunities and community connections that simply didn't exist when Ruth was growing up.
Through Endeavour Foundation, people with disability are supported to learn new skills, find meaningful work, live independently and build lives on their own terms.
Families seeking support today can learn more about the services and programs available through Endeavour Foundation and continue the journey that began more than seven decades ago.
