A New Job brings a New Frustration

I started a new, temporary job 3 weeks ago as a Teacher Aide.  It was supposed to only be for a couple of weeks until the end of the school term to "babysit" a young girl who has behavioural problems (nothing medical - just purely bad behaviour)  Unfortunately I have to go back next term!!!
What is wrong with our country/education system in New Zealand that naughty kids get to have full time teacher aides (primarily to protect the other kids at the school) so they can stay in school (even though they clearly don't want to) and yet it is such a struggle to get any help for children like Master Corb that have purely physical issues that prevent them from being fully involved in the education system.

Just before Corb started school he was assessed for what assistance he required at school and the little equation that Group Special Ed work out came up with the result that he was entitled to a Teacher Aide to assist with his mobility, toileting at morning tea time, lunch time, fitness/PE time and for 2 x 10 minute toilet stops.  The result was 1.5 hours per day allocated.  The major problem with this was the toileting - if the Teacher Aide was only going to be there for 1.5 hours (and there were no other Teacher Aides at the school at the time because it is a smallish country school) what if Corb had to go to the toilet when she wasn't there??? Who would get him there on time and help him with his clothing???

I was absolutely appalled when it was suggested that I put him (who had been toileting himself with my assistance getting to the toilet on time and with his clothes) back in nappies as a solution to this problem.  Obviously I didn't go with this suggestion, instead I opted for a part time education initially (which ended up being for 4 years) and even then there were accidents a couple of times a week for the first year of school...........

IT IS SOOOOO WRONG THAT IF HE WAS A LITTLE BRAT WITH A FOUL TEMPER AND MOUTH HE COULD HAVE HAD A FULL TIME TEACHER AIDE TO HELP OUT WHENEVER NEEDED - ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT REALLY, REALLY FRUSTRATE ME WHEN IT COMES TO LIVING WITH DISABILITY. AAARGGHH!!!!!!!

School Holidays by Master Corb

I cant believe its already school holidays, the term went so fast.  We went to the library this morning and I got ten books out. I hope to get some friends over and play mine craft together on our iPods. Tonight we are going to waxys because my sister got a good report but my brother does not get to go because he got told off at school.

It's finally done

After 4 weeks without it, We finally got the van back last Friday. Yay it's fantastic to have it back and the hoist looks super but you wouldn't believe it - now we are without the power chair for 3-4 weeks cos the auto brake lock came on and Master Corb accidentally crashed into the pole at the bottom of the ramp and broke the motor so we have to get a new one!!

A Cool New Swing - Haven't seen one like this before...