Many Specialists

Amelia has had many specialists working with her since 2006.
Sometimes you feel what they do is beneficial, sometimes you think it is a waste of precious time.

I finally feel that we have surrounded ourselves with the very best people to guide us through this journey.
The best people to help Amelia achieve the maximum from herself while also adoring her like we do.

Amelia's Physiotherapist has been with her since 2006.
The skills of balance, strength and co-ordination are the main focus.
Myff has travelled every high and low that we have.
She became my rock, the person to give me an honest answer when everything became too confusing.
Myff also grieved with us last December.
She has become a special person to our family in the last few years.

Amelia's Occupational Therapist has been working with Amelia for about 14 months. She is our third OT. I not only feel we are in the hands of great expertise with Lindsay, I also like that we are a part of SCOPE through her. Their knowledge of equipment, funding and looking "outside of the square" is reassuring.
Lindsay assists Amelia with the classroom being accessible, the best way to tackle schoolwork, computer, getting dressed, eating etc etc etc.
I have built a wonderful relationship with her in such a short amount of time.

There have been many speech therapists over the past few years.
In 2 weeks we begin working with someone who appears to have a good understanding of Amelia's condition. After doing an assessment at school, I was very impressed with her comments on breathing, swallowing and recognising exactly where Amelia struggles.

Soon we begin hydrotherapy (swimming exercises in a hot pool).

Our paediatrition checks general health twice per year at the Royal Children Hospital. So it is always good to be on their books.

Amelia's school, where she currently spends 4 days per week, is wonderful. I think the initial shock of her RE-diagnosis is now wearing off and they are enjoying spending time with her. The thoughts of the future have maybe been replaced by the magic of now.
Amelia is starting to need work broken down for her so it is easier to understand and participate. More assistance will be needed next year with schoolwork, self-care and safety. But that is something we can work out in the next few months.

Socially, Amelia thrives.
Even though she gets extremely tired, she loves talking and laughing with other children and adults.
Inside her mind she is still "normal".
People may not think she is listening (and quite often we have to say her name to gain eye contact) but she thrives on interaction.
She will remind us often of what people have done or said after the event.
I like to think that children (and adults) around Amelia will be introduced to a whole new world. One that is a little different than "normal".
It is very emotional when you see Amelia incredibly happy and enjoying herself. I know many feel the same way.
My view on life has changed dramatically in the last 9 months and know many who feel the same around us.

Today when we arrived at Tom's Disco at Kinder, Amelia got out of the car, threw her arms in the air and said "Amelia is in the house" !!!!!

Talking of which, today was the end of an era at our Kinder.
I drive past 3 Kinder's to go to this one.
When I was teaching, Kaye would quite often give professional developement ideas to the rest of us.
Her ideas were always amazing and the hours she worked made a lot of us feel that we would never be able to achieve the amount of things she did for the kids.
When Amelia began her year with Kaye, I was still teaching a group.
I found it extremely intimidating to leave my work and go and see what she had done with Amelia's group in the same session time.
I am disappointed that Tom does not get a whole year with her but I feel very honoured to have met such a talented individual.
To know, love and understand every individual child like she did was magic.
To make parents see and learn about every positive aspect of their own child was also heartwarming.
My children are very lucky to have had such a beautiful person enter their lives at such a crucial stage of their developement.
Goodbye Kaye and I hope you continue knocking down walls for acceptance of ALL children, even those with special needs...........

xxx