Dear School

When my daughter started school, I worried; will they like her? Will they understand her? Will they know what makes her tick and see past all her wonky bits?

I go school, I 'ave friends? Who look after me?

I worried about all her medical needs, about her physical needs, about how everything she needed to have done would fit into the school day and yet leave time for learning and having fun.

I eat my dinner, I be doing lots of playing.

I wondered what the other children would think of her, how they would react, whether they would manage to include her and her wheelchair in their games and activities.

All my children like me.

I wondered if the doubters might be right, and if having 1:1 might be smothering and hold my child back from becoming more independent and well-rounded, and having more normal childhood debates.

Holly and me, we, we not 'lowed to play together acos we are getting in trouble.

I thought perhaps my daughter's energy levels would not allow her to attend school full time.

Oooohhh, Mummy, why I not go school on Saturdays?

I thought my daughter's anxieties would make it difficult for her to be away from me for the whole day.

Bye, Mummy, I see you later, KISS ME!

I saw my precious little girl growing up and starting school.

You saw potential.

You saw a child, a child with an interesting collection of challenges, true, but a small girl first. You made room for her, welcomed her, nurtured her and educated her. You celebrated her successes and helped her to see all the things she could do for herself. You gave her confidence.

Thank you.