Families so vulnerable to the cuts

Published: 17 September 2010

OUR seven-year-old son Nathan has Down’s syndrome and attends a local mainstream school and is integrated well with his peers. 

This would not have been possible without the high level of support which he has received both in and out of school. 

Cuts to funding threaten my son’s possibilities for inclusion and development. We also receive respite care for our son, to give our family short breaks from the caring role and to enable our son to receive the best support. 

Families with children with disabilities are vulnerable, as we are under greater pressure than other families. 

We have to act not only as responsible caring loving parents, but also as therapist in many different disciplines, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, behaviour management etc. All of this can be very exhausting and can put tremendous pressure on a relationship.  

We value so much the respite care we receive (via the children's charity Kids, Camden's Rollercoaster after school and holiday play service for kids with disabilities and Direct Payments) and rely on it to give us time to re-charge and rest, knowing our son is in safe and experienced hands.

Jemima Hoadley, WC1