Can school force child into a wheelchair?

angelicmary85

tandraig wrote: »

angelic - this headmaster/mistress sounds like a complete idiot! arent they aware of the disability discrimination act? OR the procedures for special needs children? which is supposed to be tailored to the needs/abilities of the child!!!
would have a word with the parents and ascertain that the procedures were met. I realise it is difficult for you as just a friend of the family. but if they cannot afford this wheelchair then to my mind its ok for you to bring up fundraising.
you may have to be a bit sneaky - but there is no harm in you involving local pubs in fundraising and alerting local press? and on the side - speaking to local dignitaries such as mps? or governers of school?
this child shouldnt have to be made to use a wheelchair -to my mind its detrimental and that is against the dda.
another approach would be to contact a specialist in this law - and then put the parents in touch with them.

You've been a really massive help!

angelicmary85

Thank you Kingfisherblue...you've also been a massive help!!

tandraig

I really do want to help with this - but as I have no experience myself of dealing with schools and special needs children am relying on what others have told me (my grandson has aspergers) and hope that more knowledgable posters join in!
to this end i am quite happy to give the thread a 'bump' now and again if needed and if i have any spare time will do some research on net see if there is any precedent on this.
keep us posted angelic, I dont know this child but for her and those unfortunate to come after her at that school, the matter needs sorting out now!

kingfisherblue

Well said tandraig

angelicmary85

tandraig wrote: »

I really do want to help with this - but as I have no experience myself of dealing with schools and special needs children am relying on what others have told me (my grandson has aspergers) and hope that more knowledgable posters join in!
to this end i am quite happy to give the thread a 'bump' now and again if needed and if i have any spare time will do some research on net see if there is any precedent on this.
keep us posted angelic, I dont know this child but for her and those unfortunate to come after her at that school, the matter needs sorting out now!

You feel the way I do, even my very laid back OH has joined the 'burn the witch' crusade!!

I've been told of someone who knows the DDA inside out so hopefull I can make a date to go see them. I'm not sure of I can continue to hold out much hope but there's always a slim chance of being able to do something.

The whole sorry affair is consuming me, x isn't even my child but I feel the need to fight this, not sure why but it's something I have to do!

Thank you for your ongoing support!

tandraig

I know how you feel angelicmary, Its the injustice of it thats burning me!! and you know the child!
I live in a sort or area where you get to know people - and this one young woman (who is about my sons age - late twenties) who lives by me has cerebral palsy, I have seen her grow up and she attended the college where i was a student and worked. she has never ever used a wheelchair, even though she has a LOT of difficulty walking. I admire her for never giving up and she leads an independent life although her partner is very caring, I cannot imagine how she copes to be honest. so the thought that some idiot headmaster wants to take away hard-won independence from this child really infuriates me.

angelicmary85

tandraig wrote: »

I know how you feel angelicmary, Its the injustice of it thats burning me!! and you know the child!
I live in a sort or area where you get to know people - and this one young woman (who is about my sons age - late twenties) who lives by me has cerebral palsy, I have seen her grow up and she attended the college where i was a student and worked. she has never ever used a wheelchair, even though she has a LOT of difficulty walking. I admire her for never giving up and she leads an independent life although her partner is very caring, I cannot imagine how she copes to be honest. so the thought that some idiot headmaster wants to take away hard-won independence from this child really infuriates me.

That just made me smile...It's nice to hear a nice story! I'll be watching this girl grow up just as you watched your neighbour and I'd like to be able to feel that, not only did I help her, I helped out any other child that may be left in this situation.

Without her wee frame, x can be a bit wobbly but if they let her out of the class just 5mins before everyone else then she could get to the dinner hall herself. The janitor is a really nice guy who'd be more than willing to watch out for her in the playground if the headteacher would just give her a chance.

There must be something, somewhere, that says schools can't force parents into this kind of thing. I just hope that we can find it.

beanielou

Havent read the whole thread.
I have CP.
As has been mentioned the wee girl needs to keep moving.
Going in a wheelchair is really not in her best interests.
Im totally mad that people are acting in this way.
Could you try to get the wee girl an independant advocate to speak up for her best interests?
Really rooting for you.

angelicmary85

beanielou wrote: »

Havent read the whole thread.
I have CP.
As has been mentioned the wee girl needs to keep moving.
Going in a wheelchair is really not in her best interests.
Im totally mad that people are acting in this way.
Could you try to get the wee girl an independant advocate to speak up for her best interests?
Really rooting for you.

Thank you for taking the time to reply...it's awesome to hear from someone that has cp! (I obviously mean that with the best intentions)

Did anyone ever try to get your family to do anything they didn't want? Did they have to fight to get the best for you?

It really annoys me aswell that some people act like children with extra needs don't matter and they don't have thoughts or feelings of their own.

babyshoes

I don't have much to add that others haven't already said, but I just wanted to let you know that I am also behind you on this one, and watching this thread with interest!