How did that old Stealers Wheel song go – Stuck in the middle with you…

Hawklad has done fantastically to start to overcome his dyslexia. He had found a way to read to the point that he now only occasionally asks for help but he still really struggles with handwriting and keyboard skills. He was due to get some help with that but the service was pulled basically because of national governmental changed priorities. School can’t provide any help as they don’t have the resources and the local education authority has drastically cut back special educational support. His Doctor thought about putting him on a health programme for support but the waiting list runs into years. Rapidly rising demand meets budget cuts…. Definitely feels like we are STUCK IN THE MIDDLE. Like most things, Hawklad and his muppet Dad will wing it ourselves.

Things are getting worse in this country, far worse. Special education and the support systems have become an easy target for budget cuts. For example the local council had to find a few million of savings so it slashed the Special Education Transport budget. On top of this health and schools are being stretched to breaking point with Covid. Many families are really struggling financially, they just don’t have the money to go private for support.

What worries me is just how many children with real pressing needs are just being left to fend for themselves. I had wrote ‘Forgotten about’, but that’s not strictly the case. Sadly they aren’t forgotten, they are just not a priority. That is unforgivable.

37 thoughts on “Stuck in the middle”

  5. Bring him to Canada, Gary. Our services are at least 50% better than yours. All you need is transportaion, a new city or town, a new home, a new job,.. nothing to it. But I guarantee Hawklad will not be policied out!

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      1. I cannot help you monetarily, but if you need a sponsor i am sure you have a lot of Canadian readers who will put in good words for you, including me.

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  7. So many areas are being neglected these days, too many people are being left to fend for themselves… and unfortunately, not many are as determined and as resourceful as you two!

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  8. I feel for all those who have children with special needs, struggling to get help for them. My grandson has a rare genetic disorder which has slowed his development significantly, but at 5 he has few words to communicate with so we are learning Makaton to try to help, but accessing help as he starts school has been a nightmare. He needs one to one support. He has been given 75% funding for next year and the only appeal mechanism is to try that in September and when it fails go to appeal with the school leading against the authority. Madness. It’s playing with childrens lives. His mum has had to give up work to support him. What the future holds we don’t know. Listening to my daughter in law it seems there are many in the same boat, even worse when the disability is rare and few people know anything about it. But she keeps going, battling. I admire her as I admire you for your strength.

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  11. It is outrageous and a total failure of government. The economic gap has become a bottomless pit. You are very resourceful and you will get through but it should not be such a struggle in this day and age.

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  12. Get Kate & William involved! Aren’t they all about kids?? There is no reason why a “civilized” country should have such horrible education system! Our future is being written off when ALL the children aren’t getting the help they need!

    It will wind up costing the government more money when these kids don’t have education or skills to find a job. They’ll rely on government help for food and housing. UGH!!! These politicians and their idiotic plans and short term thinking 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

    Oops! This is why I’m not supposed to comment on school🤐

    💌💌💌💌

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      1. Oh yeah… that’s right🤦🏼‍♀️ He’s the Duke Of York. I bet he doesn’t even like rhubarb 😂😂
        I won’t tell that you don’t either😉😂😂😂
        💌💌💌💌

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  13. Precious time is wasted. You cannot put a kid on hold and say, we support you in 5 years. Those early years are the important ones to let the results of therapies settle and unfold in them. I don’t need to tell you. I just don’t understand how this can be “no priority”.

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  14. I’m so sorry my friend. My background is special education (that’s how my career started) and currently (other than this cancer break now) I work with special needs adults. My niece has CP and my oldest sister is limited and has dyslexia (she’s 56 and lives in assisted living). I wish I could help. I wish I could just help the whole world. Sending prayers, hugs, and hope. 💛🙏🏻

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  15. It’s all so heartbreaking. This world is not a pretty place right now. All we can do is take care of our loved ones and ourselves. Make one another laugh. Sip the second cup of coffee with no hesitation and enjoy for right now the simple things are a blessing. Hugs my dear friend♥️

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