1. TodayA day in the life....DebsAspland2010

2. TodayYou will play a small but significant role in the life of a family.Can you make a difference?DebsAspland2010 3. TodayWe want to share with you the other things going on in ourlives.The things which you may not be aware of.DebsAspland2010 4. TodayI was given a diagnosis for my child.I was given no information to take home and read.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 5. TodayI spent the morning researching a condition I cannot spell orpronounce.Ive just been told my child has thisWere you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 6. TodayAt 1am, my autistic son decided he wasnt tired anymore.My day started then.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 7. TodayI remembered I had not put my sons prescription for melatoninin.It takes up to ten days to get it in stock.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 8. TodayI was told I cant have overnight respite.Im not classed as a priority.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 9. TodayI filled out yet another extensive form to apply for help for mychild.These forms always focus on the negative.I hate the reality check they bring.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 10. TodayI am, again, appealing a decision to not give my child the helpthey need.The people who made the decision have never met my child.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 11. TodayI attended a tribunal to argue that my child is severely mentallyimpaired.I hate that diagnosis but its the one we have to use.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 12. TodayMy son bit me when I tried to get him out of the car.He is so scared of change.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 13. TodayI watched my son self-harm.I cannot stop him as he is stronger than me now.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 14. TodayI heard there was a long wait for professional sensoryintegration input.So the self-harming and biting will continue.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 15. TodayI had a therapist come into my home to advise me how best tofeed my 5 year old child.Im his mum, I should know how to do this.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 16. TodayI gave my son his lunch via a syringe.Just once, Id love to give him some chocolate.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 17. TodayI attended a course to learn makaton.I want to communicate with my non-verbal child.I wonder what his voice would sound like?Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 18. TodayI heard that my child needs surgery.For the third time this year.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 19. TodayI had to construct a very tall fence to stop my child escapingfrom the garden.It makes us even more isolated.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 20. TodayWe had to bolt my sons chair to the wall.He moves it to climb out of the window.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 21. TodayMy son escaped from the house at 3am.I feel guilty for sleeping through this.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 22. TodayI slipped a disc carrying my 14 year old child upstairs.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 23. TodayI heard that the budget for hoists and lifts has no money left.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 24. TodayI watched my wheelchair-user son watching his friends runningaround the playground.He had longing in his eyes.My heart broke.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 25. TodayI listened to my blind son tell me about the car he wants to drivewhen he is older.How can I tell him that he will never drive?Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 26. TodayI have a temperature and no voice.Weve waited months for this appointment so I have to go.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 27. TodayMy child had a meltdown in the supermarket.No one offered to help.I was judged to be a bad mother of a naughty child.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 28. TodayMy child wasnt invited to his cousins birthday party.They says hes too disruptive.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 29. TodayWe are going out for lunch with all of the family.My youngest child is staying home with a carer.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 30. TodayMy family forgot about my sons birthday.When we mentioned it, they said he wont realise, will he?Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 31. TodayWe are going on a family holiday.My eldest son is staying at home with a carerWere you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 32. TodayI heard my mainstream child talking to her doll.She said I spend a lot more time with her sibling.She said I loved her sibling more than her.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 33. TodayMy partner left us.The stress of all this has destroyed our relationship.How can I do this on my own?Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 34. TodayI was told that my child will probably pass away before me.Were you aware of this?How can you help?DebsAspland2010 35. TodayI need a day off.I cannot have one.Can you?DebsAspland2010 36. TodayA practitioner told me they understood how stressful my life is.Did they?DebsAspland2010 37. TodayYou CAN make a differenceDebsAspland2010 38. TodayPlease dont take it personally when a tired mum snaps at you.Please tell your colleagues how much this parent needs help- not how rude they were to you.DebsAspland2010 39. TodayPlease remember that we did not ask for this.It was not our choice.Please remember you chose your career.DebsAspland2010 40. TodayRemember you are one of many appointments that remind usour life is different.You can make the difference between our childs life being agood memory or a bad one.DebsAspland2010 41. TodayPlease dont tell us that you know how we feel unless you, too,are a parent of a disabled child.Please dont tell us how stressful your job is.DebsAspland2010 42. TodayAttitudes are the real disabilityYou can help us......if you will help people to change theirs?DebsAspland2010 43. Tomorrow..Will you change anything?Will you make a difference?DebsAspland2010 44. TomorrowPlease say you will.Wed be really gratefulDebsAspland2010 45. Thanks and RespectTo all the parents who contributed their experiences.andTo all the families out there who live Today.DebsAspland2010