Well, I had a chat with the lady from LEMS and they are refusing to take Benedict! We are not allowed to put LEMS as a first choice for secondary education and they would only have him for a few weeks before expecting him to return to mainstream school! I did point out to her that his diabetes is still unstable and that as a result of all that has happened to him, he is now school phobic! They are not in the least bit interested!
Basically they want me to place in him mainstream school with all his difficulties, watch him suffer and then when he cannot cope intervene. I am not perfect and there are times when I get cross and frustrated, but it is incredulous that the system once again has let us down, badly. I know I have a case for writing to our MP or contacting the local newspaper, but I am tired and that seems like one hoop to many. So we'll keep on plodding along as best we can.
17 comments:
That is ridiculous. What a bizarre way of doing things. So completely unsupportive and not in the least bit helpful. Perhaps another day when you are less tired and feeling well you might feel like taking it further. I am so sorry that you had your hopes dashed.
((Hugs)) San. Just when you make a decision... :( I really hope that you can find the strength to tackle this, if you feel it will give you all what you need. Will be praying for you lovely lady.
Carly xx
What about some British online schools?
InterHigh Education
BRITESCHOOL
First College UK This one had an option for students with medical problems.
Oxfordhomeschooling (This might be a correspondence school, I wasn't quite sure.)
North Star (I think this is Christian.)
Or some British correspondence schools?
SHL
I think what you need most is some steady structure for you and Benedict and another "teacher" Benedict could ask. I would not worry so much about the approach to learning at this point. Some of the schools above have payment plans. And the online schools would give him some online interaction with students his age. If he continues with scouting or some sports once in a while I think this should work out in the end and would take the pressure off you.
Home Education Specialist (correspondence school)
SHL (Sorry, the link in my first reply is not working)
Dear Eva
Thank you so much for the links, they are much appreciated. The school offering medical support seems to be the most likely one and I will show Dave the link later today. Yes, I have been on middle of the night duty!
Any suggestion on hand writing helps, Benedict really struggles with this.
Love to you
San x
Inter High, the first one, is actually for older children I just noticed, but First College UK should also work for Benedict.
Handwriting? What about Handwriting Without Tears? And do teach him knitting!! It does wonders for handwriting. Miriam is a very good example for that.
I really need to get to bed. It is 1:00 a.m.!! I was keeping Peter company.
Will start the knitting today and check out the book recommendation
Sleep well
Xx
I second everything Eva says ;) !! My friend Marisa felt very much like you and she found wonderful support for her daughter through local homeschooling classes. I think you can find the same online.
I can't tell you how often my girls sit and knit while I read to them . . this often doesn't feel fair to ME, however, I do enjoy the stories and I do like what they knit . . Of course there are always books on tape that will let you both knit.
Alternatives are out there! I'm sorry your first option did not work out right now . . When I get home I'll look at our handwriting books again. The girls enjoyed them.
Good night (I guess I should say good morning to you). Hang in there, that is what Peter would say, although he knows I don't like that expression. Sending you an Atlantic Ocean hug!! It will all turn out well.
Love,
Eva
Aw, a transatlantic convo with two of my favourite gals!! Your words of encouragement have brightened my day and given me hope all will be well!
Xx
Wow, Eva. You were up late last night! And we were typing at the same time!
Here's a link for Zaner Bloser Handwriting workbooks. I didn't buy any teacher guides, just the student workbooks for the girls to write in. I also bought this handwriting kit by Vimala Rodgers for myself because I've never liked my handwriting and have always wanted to improve it. However, I am having a difficult time scheduling this into my day.
Isn't that funny! Two people from New York writing at the same time. Awesome! (as my students would say).
I think Zaner Bloser is very pretty, but hard for many boys. You know, I have seen the Vimala alphabet, but I never liked her upper case letters. I always thought that somehow her upper case letters and her lower case letters don't go together well. But that might be just because I grew up with such a different handwriting method. I still like the one I learned the best and am teaching it my children. If you do an image search for "Lateinische Ausgangsschrift" you can see what it looks like.
Hi San - is there anything I can do to help? I could draft a letter if you don't feel up to it. J's OT recommended Write from the Start to help J's handwriting, and the school were happy to implement it. It is making a difference to him.
Big hugs to you all, and keeping you in our prayers xx
Will check out the programme you recommended. Thanks for offering to draft a letter but it will be to avail as the LEMS unit is totally inflexible now that the new coordinator has taken over and mainstream secondary is just not for Benedict right now. A hug and a prayer is much appreciated xx
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