More Related Content Similar to Today - A day in the life..... (14) 2. Today
You will play a small but significant role in the life of a family.
Can you make a difference?
©DebsAspland2010
3. Today
We want to share with you the other things going on in our
lives.
The things which you may not be aware of.
©DebsAspland2010
4. Today
I 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. Today
I spent the morning researching a condition I cannot spell or
pronounce.
I’ve just been told my child has this
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
6. Today
At 1am, my autistic son decided he wasn’t tired anymore.
My day started then.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
7. Today
I remembered I had not put my son’s prescription for melatonin
in.
It takes up to ten days to get it in stock.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
8. Today
I was told I can’t have overnight respite.
I’m not classed as a priority.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
9. Today
I filled out yet another extensive form to apply for help for my
child.
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. Today
I am, again, appealing a decision to not give my child the help
they need.
The people who made the decision have never met my child.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
11. Today
I attended a tribunal to argue that my child is severely mentally
impaired.
I hate that “diagnosis” but it’s the one we have to use.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
12. Today
My 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. Today
I 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. Today
I heard there was a long wait for professional sensory
integration input.
So the self-harming and biting will continue.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
15. Today
I had a therapist come into my home to advise me how best to
feed my 5 year old child.
I’m his mum, I should know how to do this.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
16. Today
I gave my son his lunch via a syringe.
Just once, I’d love to give him some chocolate.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
17. Today
I 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. Today
I heard that my child needs surgery.
For the third time this year.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
19. Today
I had to construct a very tall fence to stop my child escaping
from the garden.
It makes us even more isolated.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
20. Today
We had to bolt my son’s chair to the wall.
He moves it to climb out of the window.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
21. Today
My 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. Today
I slipped a disc carrying my 14 year old child upstairs.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
23. Today
I heard that the budget for hoists and lifts has no money left.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
24. Today
I watched my wheelchair-user son watching his friends running
around the playground.
He had longing in his eyes.
My heart broke.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
25. Today
I listened to my blind son tell me about the car he wants to drive
when he is older.
How can I tell him that he will never drive?
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
26. Today
I have a temperature and no voice.
We’ve waited months for this appointment so I have to go.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
27. Today
My 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. Today
My child wasn’t invited to his cousin’s birthday party.
They says he’s too disruptive.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
29. Today
We 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. Today
My family forgot about my son’s birthday.
When we mentioned it, they said “he won’t realise, will he?”
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
31. Today
We are going on a family holiday.
My eldest son is staying at home with a carer
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
32. Today
I 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. Today
My 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. Today
I was told that my child will probably pass away before me.
Were you aware of this?
How can you help?
©DebsAspland2010
35. Today
I need a day off.
I cannot have one.
Can you?
©DebsAspland2010
38. Today
Please don’t 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. Today
Please remember that we did not ask for this.
It was not our choice.
Please remember you chose your career.
©DebsAspland2010
40. Today
Remember you are one of many appointments that remind us
our life is different.
You can make the difference between our child’s life being a
good memory or a bad one.
©DebsAspland2010
41. Today
Please don’t tell us that you know how we feel unless you, too,
are a parent of a disabled child.
Please don’t tell us how stressful your job is.
©DebsAspland2010
42. Today
Attitudes are the real disability
You can help us......
if you will help people to change theirs?
©DebsAspland2010
45. Thanks and Respect
To all the parents who contributed their experiences.
and
To all the families out there who live “Today”.
©DebsAspland2010
