February 07
Well, this month seems to be going in slow motion. Once we had the planning meeting in January we now wait for a decision. Meanwhile I have booked Sunbeam in for a few riding lessons and I am going to try and find a reasonable masseuse (for his back!!). I have also contacted Social Services and they came today (15th) to assess our situation. The nice lady thought that they might be able to help Sunbeam with a one to one support person who will be able to take Sunbeam out and talk to him about what interests him. Not sure about what else they might be able to help with. She did suggest a youth club run by Mencap but I’m not sure about that. It would depend on the severety of needs of the other participants. Haven’t heard andything today from the LEA. It’s gone 5 O/C and the board must have made a decision by now! I feel like poo as I’ve got a sore throat and hacking cough!Â
This weekend is a milestone because my youngest daughter is going to be the first to leave home!! She is moving into a flat with her bestfriend from work. I will miss her but it will make things a little less tense at home and there won’t be shoes left everywhere!! Her room is a health hazzard so I dread going in there to clean! Still, I’ll have all the missing glasses and plates back!
22.02.07 - DD didn’t move out when she said she would and it’s been delayed by a week so we are all stubbing our toes on boxes left all about the house!Â
We have finally received the statement for Sunbeam. But the disappointing news is that they want to explore other options before they consider the school everyone wants him to go to!! The school is over an hour’s drive away and we have a really hard time to get him to go the the referral unit at the moment which is only 35 minutes away. I don’t think the board read any of the reports presented to them regarding Sunbeam’s present mental health situation. I have now replied and stated that we intent to appeal the decision togethet with a quote from Hants SEN policy which states that children should be educated at a school as near to home as possible so as to enable them to keep connections with home and local community (not sure that’s how it’s written but I’m on a borrowed computer!).
This month has been really hard what with me nearly writing off my car after driving over a faulty bollard, then blowing up my vacuum cleaner, then having an old fart reverse into my courtesy car and then to top it all I have gone down with a really bad chest infection! I actually feel a bit sorry for myself! It won’t last long and I’ll be back to normal in no time!
 Sunbeam went riding again today for a whole hour but it was pouring with rain but he still loved it!Â
Well, we’ve received the final statement but the LEA haven’t named a schol although they are going to look at a school about an hour’s drive away which is ridiculous as he can’t cope with the half hour travel to the referral unit. Needless to say we are going to appeal and a very strong letter has been sent in and will go before the placement panel in 2 weeks! I managed to find the SEN policy for Hampshire County Council on the web and it says that children with special needs should be sent to a school as close to home as possible so as to retain links with family and the community! Seeing as there is an Aperger specific school 6 miles away they will be hard pressed to argue against that apart from the cost, which it’s all about really.
Sunbeam has been under the weather for the last couple of weeks. He’s started moaning about his tummy feeling odd and now he’s complaining about a sore throat and being tired. He has’t done this since being in mainstream school when he was absent for a good deal of the time because his anxiety was manifesting as physical illness. Mind you, I’ve had a really bad chest infection so he could have that!Â
More waiting and wondering! We wait to see what March brings.