Can school force child into a wheelchair?

looby-loo_2

I haven't much to add except that if this little girl has a support worker then why does she need an electric wheelchair? TBH I agree she should be encouraged to walk but there will be times when she gets tired and may need a chair, but not necessarily an electric chair. Electric chairs are big and heavy and need more space. The school says this is for her indepedence. Will a four year old child really be left to 'drive' herself around the school unattended? I hope not. The support worker will still need to be on hand at that age so will be there to push if necessary.

I work in a secodary school and we tried for four years to get a electric chair for a girl with CP. When she got the chair in Yr 11 she still needed a teaching assistant even at that age - just incase. Not to hover over her at all time but there in the background, to open awkward doors, to make a gangway when crowds were about, to carry her dinner tray, etc, etc... (we tried to arrange automatic doors but that's another story)

I found that the physio's etc worked very closely with the school to encourage walking. It was written in her statement how frequent visits to the school should take place. It also specified that after the meeting there should be '1 hour feedback to her named teacher and TA'. Presumably this little girl has a Statement. If so perhaps the above should be written into the Statement. If not at a TAC (team around the child) meeting.

I work in a mainstream secondary school so I oly have experience of 5 children with cp. I am led to understand that walking should be ecouraged for as long as possible but that during puberty when weight is put on a wheelchair is needed as they outgrow their strength for a while but then when things have settled down they may be able to walk again. This is at 14, not 4

Mum needs support when she goes into school so both sides can understand each other.

tandraig

loobyloo - I think you are right about when cp kids hit puberty the extra weight may (and i stress may) mean they need the wheelchair. but this kid is nowhere near puberty! from what i have read and understand the more mobile a child is the better the chance they never need the wheelchair or can avoid it for longer!
I cannot tell you how it has affected me watching this young woman over the years. at first her steps were very slow and hesitant, at comp she was very shaky too (in my oldest sons year so i remember her well), she didnt have any support as I remember but according to my son - she was given a head start for lessons and could come into class late!
my best recollections were of her in college as she was in the same department as me. her walking was terrible - very shaky and her one foot didnt seem as if it was controlled? but she managed! I think i saw her use a stick once or twice, but mostly she just struggled on. she must have met her partner there as he carried her lunch. she now lives a stones throw from me in a purpose built bungalow. if i see her coming to bus stop and the bus arrives before her i make the driver stop and wait. but most of them know her and would wait anyway. she is a pleasant person and smiles but doesnt usually speak (I think she knows most people dont have the patience to try to understand her). I wish i could tell her how much i admire her - but would think she thinks i am patronising her! so if i can help this young child - I feel honour bound to do it!

angelicmary85

tandraig wrote: »

loobyloo - I think you are right about when cp kids hit puberty the extra weight may (and i stress may) mean they need the wheelchair. but this kid is nowhere near puberty! from what i have read and understand the more mobile a child is the better the chance they never need the wheelchair or can avoid it for longer!
I cannot tell you how it has affected me watching this young woman over the years. at first her steps were very slow and hesitant, at comp she was very shaky too (in my oldest sons year so i remember her well), she didnt have any support as I remember but according to my son - she was given a head start for lessons and could come into class late!
my best recollections were of her in college as she was in the same department as me. her walking was terrible - very shaky and her one foot didnt seem as if it was controlled? but she managed! I think i saw her use a stick once or twice, but mostly she just struggled on. she must have met her partner there as he carried her lunch. she now lives a stones throw from me in a purpose built bungalow. if i see her coming to bus stop and the bus arrives before her i make the driver stop and wait. but most of them know her and would wait anyway. she is a pleasant person and smiles but doesnt usually speak (I think she knows most people dont have the patience to try to understand her). I wish i could tell her how much i admire her - but would think she thinks i am patronising her! so if i can help this young child - I feel honour bound to do it!

I would tell her, I bet she's gone through hell whilst she was growing up...you may her feel warm and fuzzy inside!

kingfisherblue

Unfortunately, parents of children with disabilities often ahve to fight for their children's rights. I am part of a parents forum in my town and it is so frustrating to hear of parents battling for things that I fought for ten years ago!

Just today, when I took my son to the emergency doctor, i met a couple with twins. One of the babies has disabilities, but they have only just got DLA for her because they weren't told any sooner. Nobody has given them contact details for the Carer's Centre, who are a fantastic help, and the parents have not been given any details of support groups. I hope that I was able to help them in a small way by giving them the CC phone number and telling them a little of how the CC can help.

For anybody who does not have a local centre, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Carers UK can offer support and information.

angelicmary85

kingfisherblue wrote: »

Unfortunately, parents of children with disabilities often ahve to fight for their children's rights. I am part of a parents forum in my town and it is so frustrating to hear of parents battling for things that I fought for ten years ago!

Just today, when I took my son to the emergency doctor, i met a couple with twins. One of the babies has disabilities, but they have only just got DLA for her because they weren't told any sooner. Nobody has given them contact details for the Carer's Centre, who are a fantastic help, and the parents have not been given any details of support groups. I hope that I was able to help them in a small way by giving them the CC phone number and telling them a little of how the CC can help.

For anybody who does not have a local centre, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Carers UK can offer support and information.

Even when it was taking about 10hrs a day to feed him & do his physio we were refused DLA. I didn't bother appealing, we have no-one in the town that we live to help fill out forms...the forms were a real struggle for us because we didn't know what we were doing with them!

We were bombarded with offers of help and suppost groups but we turned them down because we never really needed any suppost or anything but when I did try to get some it was pretty much refused by a stuck up receptionist!

I was really ignorant to the way parents of children with extra needs had to fight and stand their ground all the time...having a wee boy of my own with difficulties made me really aware of the stigma still surrounding this kind of thing...it's a sad, sad world we live in.

superflygal

Hi Angelic,

I just wanted to add a few words of support. My heart goes out to the poor little girl. I am mum to 2 little ones, and I would be steaming if this happened to me and my family.

Nosey HVs and 'experts' like nursery workers make my blood boil. Idiots like this attempted to make our son a 'case study' for no purpose other than to enable them to achieve targets. Well they chose the wrong family, we removed our boy from the setting, and another 'expert' proved their observations were a load of fantastical rubbish.

I really hope this little girl's family don't let them win, and don't agree to the wheelchair. Have they considered moving her to a more understanding school? Or is it in a remote area?

I have had some great successes in the past with writing letters to achieve results, and if I can assist in any way, maybe help to put a storming letter together, please PM me.

Good luck angelic, you are a lovely friend by the way!

SFG x

angelicmary85

superflygal wrote: »

Hi Angelic,

I just wanted to add a few words of support. My heart goes out to the poor little girl. I am mum to 2 little ones, and I would be steaming if this happened to me and my family.

Nosey HVs and 'experts' like nursery workers make my blood boil. Idiots like this attempted to make our son a 'case study' for no purpose other than to enable them to achive targets. Well they chose the wrong family, we removed our boy from the setting, and another 'expert' proved their observations were a load of fantastical rubbish.

I really hope this little girl's family don't let them win, and don't agree to the wheelchair. Have they considered moving her to a more understanding school? Or is it in a remote area?

I have had some great successes in the past with writing letters to achieve results, and if I can assist in any way, maybe help to put a storming letter together, please PM me.

Good luck angelic, you are a lovely friend by the way!

SFG x

I'm loving how this thread is turning out...

It started off with some posters saying that a wheelchair may be the best thing blah blah blah but they have since disappeared and now it's parents against the system...I love it!

I'd be really interested in putting a letter together with you but the school have told mum it's either the chair or a 'special' school half an hour away.... wee x is not going to 'special' school so I already think the parents might be backing down! They want her to have a 'normal' education with her friends but it seems we still live in the 1800's when people who are not what society expected were flung into some kind of home and left to rot.

I need to have a good proper chat with mum but I'm 'fully booked' until Thursday

I'm all fired up and ready to go and I'm so glad that there's a few people who are willing to help and support the newly named 'Mothers 4 Justice'! :rotfl:

daska

There are quite a few helplines for people needing advice on how the DDA affects them. Scope would appear the most appropriate initially (0800 626216) but there may be a more education focused helpline that they can recommend. Unfortunately the parents giving in now will establish a precedent that will be hard to break later.

angelicmary85

daska wrote: »

There are quite a few helplines for people needing advice on how the DDA affects them. Scope would appear the most appropriate initially (0800 626216) but there may be a more education focused helpline that they can recommend. Unfortunately the parents giving in now will establish a precedent that will be hard to break later.

Thank you for your post, I agree with the bit in bold, once you give in once it's all over! Scope only help in England and Wales, it's Capability Scotland that deal with, well, Scotland!

daska

Sorry, hadn't twigged you were north of the border, same deal though, they may be able to recommend someone more specialised. Were they able to provide more specific help?