I try to ensure my child with special needs has the same life as anyone else, it isn't always easy, but I do my best.
This is a holiday snap taken in Queenstown 2000 when Paul was 11.
I've put relatively recent pictures on this page and there are older ones in our photo album page!
July 2002.
Here is a photo of us on the proud occasion of my graduation in May - after years of studying & raising Paul alone, I finally have achieved my Bachelor of Music !
FEBRUARY 2004
Paul is now 14 and started at High School 2 weeks ago - no photo to post yet, but I will.
All the Year 9 students went to a camp the first week, and Paul went too.
It was fantastic for him, he came home very independent and grown up !!!
I had a support worker go to the camp 9 - 5 daily, but he just slept over at the camp independently. A terrific experience for him.
2005 - Paul is now 16 - I can't believe it !!!!
Some teeth needed fixing this year, we had a holiday,Paul got a drumkit !!!
Now .....about nuts and bolts things to do with day to day support.....
As a very independent person, I find it difficult to depend on the support of others to be able to ensure my son & I have a good quality of life, but acknowledgement of the need for respite is not a weakness or cop-out.
Here in New Zealand we are really lucky to have a wonderful organisation called IHC which has been my lifeline for support and respite.
Through that, and also the Down Syndrome Association of New Zealand, I have become a lot wiser & more confident in the continuous dealings with the health & education professionals who almost seem to dictate our lives.
Now Paul is a teenager, I am getting used to my beautiful baby now glaring at me and telling me that everything "sucks",and his bedroom door being closed with music blaring out !
Here is Paul with one of his rugby idols, Christian Cullen.
He had a terrific afternoon a few seasons ago meeting the Lions at Wellingtons Stadium.
My love of theatre and a desire to give a chance to young people with intellectual disabilities to participate in theatre, has led me to setting up a performance group called Mana Stars.
We have had a recent performance & there are a few pictures on that site .
When Paul had his 13th birthday 2002, he chose to go 10-pin bowling with friends.
The web has been a useful source of friendship & support on occasion, also. It makes me feel less alone in my efforts when I can meet people all over the world who are dealing with the same issues.
The following are links which have proven useful to me:-
Down Syndrome Homepages Down Syndrome WWW Pages Down Syndrome Listserv Check it out carefully before you write publicly to this group.You will find there are some very vocal personalities who may or may not agree with you. Big & Small
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Updated 25/9/04
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