Tag Archives: children

Give the children their SNA’s

21 Wednesday Sep 2011

Posted by in cutbacks, health, Jono, kyphosis, rant, scoliosis

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It’s said that school days are the best days of your life. Try telling that to the children with special needs and their parents. Due to the cutbacks most, if not all, of the children that had full-time SNA’s (Special Needs Assistants) now have to share them or in some cases only have ‘access’ to them. I have heard of one child with Special Needs only being offered an hour of schooling a day.

Some of you may know that my son Jono has Asperger’s Syndrome, Dyspraxia and kyphoscoliosis. He was lucky enough in that he did have a full-time SNA. Which was all down to the head mistress of the school organising one for us. At no time did we meet the SENO (Special Education Needs Organiser). Jono just would not have functioned in school without his SNA. As his back problem was so severe it affected his ability to write so she did this for him. She also carried his back and books, helped with all his lessons, organised his timetable, took him for a walk if his pain was too much. On the rare occasions where she had to go for a meeting he ended up with school friends having to carry his bag for him…..and we all know how heavy one bag is, let alone two.

So who in their right mind has decided that these children do not need SNA’s. Yes I know the country is in a recession and cutbacks to need to be made, but why are the most vulnerable people in our society being targeted. Why not get rid of the free pre-school places first? I’m not even going to start about the high salaries and expenses the politicians get.

I hope that people realise the SNA cutbacks don’t just impact on those children with special needs, they effect the whole class. To read more about this matter have a look at this great blog.

Also Prime Time did a programme about it last night which is here.

Do our special needs children not have a right to an education?

Temple House Festival

12 Sunday Jun 2011

Posted by in concerts, Days out, Diary, music, photos, sligo

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This weekend is the Temple House Festival in Sligo. I can’t begin to tell you what a great festival it is. This is its second year, I didn’t get to go last year because Lucy was in hospital, but this year I’ve been backwards and forwards to have a look.

We are lucky in that it’s only down the road from us, which suits me fine as I wouldn’t be into camping. Although there is a huge camp site there with showers, hot food and even a shop so it’s all very civilised.

The Temple House festival isn’t just a music festival, although the music is great. There are over 100 acts over 4 stages. I haven’t been staying late so haven’t seen any of the headline acts but the highlights for me so far have been ‘Shouting at Planes’ and Kerbdog. I’ve done a couple of videos (not great quality but it’ll give you an idea).

There are also fantastic events going on for the under 12′s in the ‘Walled Garden’. They can take part in all kinds of races, hear stories, make things, play in the sand pit, go to the disco….so much to see and do. For the mum’s there is even a ‘healing centre’ where you can get a massage or just chill out.

If you venture into the woods you might see these guys. Who were hilarious. I had real trouble standing still enough to take a photo because I was laughing so much. They gave me a cake and a tea bag!

There is a medieval village where you can find out all about the Vikings and learn how to be one. There is also archery to try your hand at.

There are all kinds of weird and wonderful things in the woods. Including ‘Wood town’ and an arts trail. If you are anywhere near Sligo today be sure to pay a visit. A day ticket is 50 euro and under 12′s are free with a paying adult. It really is worth a visit. Some of my photo’s are on flickr. More are on SligoToday.ie and they also have video’s taken at the festival.

Barnardos Stand for Children

16 Wednesday Feb 2011

Posted by in charity

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Barnardos mission is to make Ireland the best place in the world to be a child.

One thing has been made clear in the past few years; Ireland is not a model of how to treat children. We have promised many changes for children but not enough has changed. Children, particularly those living in disadvantage, have been low on the list of political priorities for far too long.

Barnardos believes that Ireland can and must do better. It is time to overhaul how we view children, their needs, rights and protection. Election 2011 is an opportunity to change Ireland into a country where children are prioritised, where their rights are promoted and protected and where their voices are heard.

Change takes vision, courage and leadership. It won’t be easy but with the right leadership, significant change is possible. Election 2011 holds possibility for real and lasting change that can improve countless children’s lives. Children don’t have a vote; those of us who do must make our vote count for children.

I personally think this is a wonderful campaign. I would urge you to watch the video and get involved on Barnados facebook page.

 

Roll up, Roll up

25 Sunday Jul 2010

Posted by in Days out, Diary, photos, sligo

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Roll up, Roll up, originally uploaded by magnum_lady.

Today was the launch of the childrens Summer programme at The Model, Sligo.

To kick it all off there was a performance by The Barren Carrousel street circus. It involved two funny ladies, they were brilliant, very entertaining. They were also very flexible!
I took some photos and video, when I get a chance I’ll post links.

Well done to all concerned for organising a great afternoon for kids of all ages…..and best of all it was free.

I wish I was a little bit taller……

28 Sunday Jun 2009

Posted by in Uncategorized

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P1090289
Well what a week it’s been. What with Michael Jacksons sudden death and Farrah Fawcett who had the same type of cancer as my mum had seven years ago and is now doing really well.

I’m not going to dwell on either of these, there is so much hype about Michael Jackson at the moment, I find it a bit odd especially by people who didn’t like him when he was alive.

Anyway onto life here. I’ve been quiet on the blog front because we have been busy.
Thanks so much to the people who took the time to sign the petition about Crumlins childrens hospital cutbacks. Also thanks to two kind magicmums who were going to leave teddies at the Dail on behalf of Jono and Lucy as part of the protest about the situation.

I’ve still been waking up most mornings at some daft hour so have been going for walks. I was daft during the week and ended up having to walk down Rockfield hill during the school run (I forgot primary schools didn’t finish until Friday). There is no pavement on that road and in places barely room for two cars. I saw one near miss (or should that be near hit!) and althought I had to climb a bank to get out of the road I still had a car brush past my arm.
It’s mad that there are no pavements on this road. I saw children being driven such a short distance to go to school and I’m sure it’s just because it is too dangerous for them to walk to school.

Anyway the reason for todays pic is that we have been busy painting the house (or half of the house). We weren’t mad keen on the pink and it was looking very grubby. The only trouble is that neither of us are great with heights and even if we were we don’t have a long enough ladder to reach the top.
So far we have thought about stilt walking, trampolining, one of us standing on the others shoulders (including the cats and the kids) or even abseiling!
We phoned a hire place about one of those platform yokes that go up and down (ooer missus) but they want 150 quid a day! I only want to hire it not buy it.
So anyway we are a bit stumped at the moment and the house looks like some kind of ice cream…..any suggestions?

On the other news: You might remember me telling you that I entered the cats photo into a pet competition in the Sligo weekender. Well they didn’t win, in fact they didn’t even get into the top ten…..none of the cats entered did. So I’ve figured that cats aren’t very popular in Sligo and that maybe they should have put them in a different cat-egory ;)

Cutbacks in Crumlin

24 Wednesday Jun 2009

Posted by in Uncategorized

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Jonos spine xray, originally uploaded by magnum_lady.

This photo is an xray of Jono (my sons) back. He is currently on the waiting list for a spinal fusion at Our Ladys Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin.

There have been a huge amount of cutbacks in the hospital recently. At the moment there are 168 children on the waiting list for spinal surgery.

Please could you all sign this petition:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/10MOLCHC/

There are some wonderful mums on http://www.magicmum.com that are campaigning to try and get something done about this situation.
It beggars belief that the Irish government can bail out the banks to the tune of millions, but childrens health doesn’t seem to be a priority here in Ireland.

There is also a facebook group here:

http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=109443337847&share_id=99741556441#/pages/Crumlin-Ireland/campaign-against-cutbacks-in-Crumlin/109443337847

Thank you

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