"The hope you give parents is nothing short of a miracle"
"Raising children is a demanding job..."
"Raising children is a demanding job.
It is a responsibility which remains the parents’ constant duty to do for their offspring. It is a labour of love and asks that the utmost be done for their off-spring. A parent should want to give their child the best chance they can get in life. Society creates given frameworks into which all our children are meant to be able to adapt, develop and advance. One of these givens is called school. We have two children with special educational needs. We saw them experience challenges created by a school system which couldn’t nurture and support them. Outcasts, unwanted, unappreciated and undeveloped. The helplessness and pain which a parent experiences while being a bystander to their children's predicament defies description. The anger, frustration, unhappiness, and despair is a heavy load to bear. It can also happen that support is either refused or inadequate. This means that the child is still left fully or partially disabled. This awesome allocating task is the responsibility of the LA. It is just at this moment that help, understanding, encouragement, and support is essential. It is exactly at this moment when parents need strength and Tarzan-like war cries. We are told by the LA that parents can successfully win the battle without the help of a solicitor. Perhaps sometimes that is the case. But often it is not the case. It is crucial that the parents send a meaningful and targeted cover letter requesting an Assessment to the LA. It has to be a good presentation of documented and given facts pertaining to your child’s challenges and needs. One also has to be able to interpret the response of the LA. Sometimes they fulfill the child’s needs and sometimes they want to escape their obligation to the individual. This is what is required when an individual needs to fight for someone versus a group being provided with a set of givens. It demands an unbelievable will-power to win whatever you can for your child. It demands diligent and dedicated efforts from the parents. It also requires the cleverness, understanding, realistic, honesty, and insightful support of someone who knows all the ins and outs of the legal implications surrounding the requirements of special recognition. We would never have made it through the difficult challenges without the expertise work of Douglas Silas and his outstanding team. They have been magnificent for us. They pulled us through a rough assessment, tribunal, and almost an appeal to the Higher Courts for one of our two children who acquired a Statement through their hands. They knew what had to be done at every twist and bend of this heart-rending story that dragged 1 ½ years to meet our son’s needs in a mainstream setting. They held our hand and told us what to do and what to expect throughout this difficult time. They even had to calculate the hours and financial support necessary from the LA in order to avoid being cheated by the LA. The type of problems our children face is dyslexia and reading comprehension issues. Both are of severe nature. Our children suffered emotionally, socially and academically until an especially created support came into place for them in the form of a Statement. Once they were adequately supported their other problems began to subside. It required special attention and hard work from the schools. But they didn’t let those children down. We are happy to say that they are adjusting very nicely within society, are being properly schooled and being given a chance to acquire the necessary skills to succeed in the broader community as independent individuals. Douglas, we salute you! You are magnificent and we will always remember your devoted care and great efforts to take care of our children. This also applies to your dedicated staff who were also always available for us when we needed them. We wish you further success for all the other precious children who justly deserve special support to also make them into competent human beings. My last words are to parents: - Never despair. - Believe in yourselves and your children. - Do what you can for your children and remember: Pray." Read More: "I clearly remember a call from the LA..." |
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