Wednesday 11th July

More fun for D today!

We watched a bit of the torch relay before school, hoping to catch a glimpse of her classmate’s mum (Brenda Heys) who was a torch-bearer. We had to leave without seeing her so presumed we’d miss her

D walked about 1/3 of the way to school and the Headteacher came dashing out of her office as we were going in. First thought was “oh, what’s up?” but she’d come out to tell me how brilliant D had been yesterday on the trip. Which was lovely of her! She mentioned a couple of things that D had found funny and she agreed that the cake had been nice (D’s best part of yesterday!)

When we eventually got around to her classroom, D had a bit of reluctance going in, the class and teachers were again dressed in Indian clothing, which threw her a bit. D was also worried about whether she’d be singing today (there is a concert on Friday morning), soon reassured and she went in happily.

What I didn’t know until I picked her up was that they watched Brenda doing the torch relay on the big screen in school, so D didn’t miss it. Her classmate and his younger brother ran with their mum, here’s a picture:

and they were featured on the ITV website. Great stuff! The two boys have Downs Syndrome and Brenda is chairperson of the West Berkshire DS Association, so great for raising awareness.

D also said – with prompts from her TA – that they’d had an assembly when her classmate returned to school with his mum and the torch. They’d all had a chance to look at it and D was very relieved that the flame was out, bless her. Lucky children, getting so close to a torch.

It rained AGAIN on the way home, poor D trudged along under an umbrella as we had a full buggy (gruesome twosome day).

She’s been a little bit sensitive this afternoon and evening but the house has been busy.

It’s been an exciting couple of days for D and what with the concert in the morning on Friday, she’s coping very well. I hope she doesn’t build up any anxiety between now and then.

So…very pleased with how well she’s coping with what has been a very-out-of-routine couple of days.

Hope everyone’s had a good day, comments/RTs as ever welcomed, thanks for reading Jx 😘

Dear 50cent – an update

Excellent news this week (w/c 12 November 2012) about 50cent becoming an Autism Charity Ambassador, here’s the article, I hope the publicity that this will generate raises more awareness (and more importantly) acceptance of autism.

My original post of 11th July 2012:
It’s been a week now since I pushed the “publish” button and I thought I’d share how I feel about my Dear 50cent post a week on.

My aim for compiling the blog was to show that you can’t “see” autism, this is why it’s known as an “invisible disability”. Neither can you touch, taste, smell or hear it. All those beautiful, happy, positive pictures demonstrated that.

I wasn’t going to get involved in the calling for boycott of 50cent products. For one thing, I don’t think they are sold over here and the only thing I was interested in was an acknowledgement of the pictures and an apology made to the autism community (this happened on Sunday, his apology is replicated on my blog post).

What I was not prepared for (and this is the amazing bit) was the mention in the Huffington Post and the amount of blog traffic. To date the blog has been RTd nearly 5000 times and who knows therefore how many people it has reached! An amazing statistic…

Foolish and ignorant 50cent’s comments were, they and the subsequent backlash put autism awareness in the public domain like never before. Which, when you are striving for awareness can only be a good thing. The next step is acceptance.

(I was in the Apple store today, looking at a MacBook Pro (an impossible and far away dream at the moment) and I called my blog up, which then prompted a conversation with the salesman, he’s now more autism aware – and seeing my post on a 27inch screen was awesome!)

There were only a couple of downsides experienced: a negative comment, telling me to “let it go” and a very obvious plagiarism of the first part of my blog, which to date is still out there, without reference to the original post or its author.

So…thank you once again to the following people who contributed, the sheer volume of photos made it the post that it became:

@elustiveteniq13 @LostLodger1 @rosy_moo @frecklefrolics @mrshpalmer @Christina_Stott @Eamesemma @UBIQUITYIMAGERY @Charlie_girl14 @pachandler @81_sarah @freyaflossylala @darkalicemutter @LuckySupermom @hockeymorsa @Gillw23 @blackcatmitchell @ASDKidsGrowUp @curvyjax @ouryve @Trevor_Donaghy @nicg4autism @sublimelifeOG @robynbrennan @Joeymom @natalie_elliot @BennettAnita @nualashort127 @NiciJT4Autism @rhysmum77 @alisonbreadon @theblondeview @mumsmadmoments @LifeAutism @treezuk @lisaj4autism @Charlotte2218 @violetsdiary @JoDC77 @Trishasinbox @Calormom @CRCRsMommy @Clayhead_Kim @ClaireLouise82 @tiredx6 @flissy13 @LaurieMit

I’m truly grateful Jx 😘

Berkshire – CAN network newsletter

For those people with special needs children or young adults, living in Berkshire, here is the latest newsletter:

(please note: you may need to copy and paste any links into your browser)

Please RT to reach any followers who may be interested.

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Please see details below and attachments for this week’s news from the Children with Additional Needs (CAN) Network. Please forward to any families / professionals / organisations who you think would benefit from the information. Thanks for continuing to send your items to share with the CAN Network.

This Week’s News:

Children’s / Young People’s / Events and Activities

Pony Days and Activity Days at Oakwood Youth Challenge See attached document for various pony and activity days happening at this activity centre in Wokingham during the summer holidays. http://www.oakwoodyouth.co.uk

Go! Canoeing at Wokingham Waterside Centre Have a go in a katakanu! Tuesday 24th July, 2-3pm, £5 per child, 5-18 years. The Waterside Centre have a hoist to help wheelchair users enter the katakanu. See attachment for booking instructions.

Bracknell & Wokingham College – new course The college will be running a new foundation course for young adults, aged 16-24 years, with learning difficulties to develop employability skills and personal and social development and a nationally recognised qualification can be worked towards. The course will take place at the newly refurbished Wick Hill Centre in Bracknell. Please see attached flyer for more information. Call 0845 330 3343 or email schoolleavers@bracknell.ac.uk

CAN Family Fun and Information Day This was a big success! Thanks to all who ensured the day went smoothly. Look out for the write up and photographs in this week’s or next week’s Wokingham Times!

Willows School of Dance Victoria Andrews, Co-ordinator of the Willows School of Dance is offering taster sessions for children and young people with disabilities, providing 3 dance sessions for 4-7 yrs, 8-12 yrs and 13-18 yrs on Saturday 4th August. The classes will be an hour long and parents are not expected to stay. The venue is wheelchair accessible and disabled toilets are present. The classes will be held on a Saturday initially, at St. Michael’s Church Hall, Tilehurst. Following on from the taster sessions, courses of dancing can then be booked, costing £5.50 per session which is £44 per term (8 weeks). Sessions will consist of: Warm up, Corner work, Dance routine, Cool down and Sensory calm down. See attached poster for booking the taster sessions.

Other

Thrive July Newsletter To view this month’s news from the horticultural therapy charity, Thrive, follow this link http://thrive.cmail2.com/t/ViewEmail/r/B5959BD0EC917225/2F1FB40334CF0F2623B7CB3C95A53812

Wokingham Information Network (WIN) WIN is a quick and easy to use online guide to services in Wokingham. It is split into Family Services Directory (information about children and young people) and Adult Services Directory (information about adults). To start searching the directory today, visit http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/win. If you would like to advertise a service not already in the Directory please complete the form within it.

Woodley Lend and Play Toy Library This is a great place to visit in the run up to the school holidays. Here there are toys suitable for children with additional needs, including electronic toys, role play, music, activity toys, ride-ons, construction, sports equipment and more. The Library also has two specialist play advisers who can recommend the right toy for your child. Browse the colour catalogue online at http://www.lendandplay.org then visit the Library at the Ambleside Centre. To borrow toys , there is a small annual membership fee and then a small hire fee. Please see attached flyer for opening times and contact details for the Library.

Thanks,

Children with Additional Needs (CAN) Network
Bridges Resource Centre
109 Colemansmoor Rd
Woodley
RG5 4DA

0118 9695977

http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/can-network