Annual review

Today was Jordan's annual review. As I've blogged previously the next couple of years are crucial as they are concerned mainly with transition. Jordan's statement of special educational needs ceases and his funding passes to Adult services. I've heard many bad reports of how help falls away when the disabled young person becomes an adult. I certainly had the impression from the Connexions representative that she would work flat-out to prevent the support from breaking down during this process.

Anyway, it all went very well. The school is pleased with Jordan's progress. His father and I find him a delight. Jordan came to the review from his careers lesson where they were exploring road construction as a job. Nothing like a bit of role play! Jordan said he does want to go to college, that food tech was his favourite subject and he would like to make pizzas for a living. The Connexions rep said that there were various organisations such as Remploy, Bede and Toucan who support the disabled young person in job placement, which was very heartening to hear.

And that's the funny thing, as a parent I've always kept my ear to the ground and picked up all sorts of information over the years. Apart from Contact-A-Family, is there a one-stop-shop for all info relating to the raising of a child with disabilities?

Narrow-minded parents scare mother of disabled son...

There's been a right to-do about Cerrie who presents CBeebies because she's missing part of her lower arm. My lovely three-year-old niece was born without her right hand. Whilst playing in a ball pool over the Christmas hols (watched by her grandma), she was surrounded by other little kids who had a good look at her affected arm. In response to their questions, my niece replied "It's alright, it no hurt!" whereupon they all ran off to play together.

And that's all I have to say about that.

Good day to you.

Leaving school

Jordan has the rest of this academic year plus one more then he is hopefully off to Lewisham College.

I had a good chat with a lady from Connexions who is there to support us through the process, which is a relief. Fortunately Jordan will go with two fellow students, one of whom is his best mate at school. So, more relief! In their final year, they will do a link with Lewisham College one day a week to help the transition. It's all looking good on paper.

He is 18 on Monday and appears to be growing a beard! I don't know where the years have gone, seriously.

Ooh what a kerfuffle!

There's been a certain amount of (ahem) debate over an article written by Minette Marrin of the Sunday Times and a delightfully robust response from India Knight. Go here to check it all out. Guess which side I'm on...

The Hunchback Of Notre Dame

Sunday 30 November and Sunday 7 December at 3pm
Graeae and BBC Radio Drama North are proud to present a radical radio dramatisation of Victor Hugo's classic tale of love, betrayal and moral courage.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a powerful story with characters on the margins of society, whose paths cross to create a gripping tale of spirituality, truth, beauty and the power of individual faith in historical Paris.

David Bower (Four Weddings and a Funeral) plays Quasimodo, the first time a deaf actor will have played the role in a broadcast piece.

This adaptation has been penned by Graeae's Literary Manager, Alex Bulmer, (Episode 1) and Skins writer Jack Thorne (Episode 2).

Where to Listen

The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 30th November 2008 and Sunday 7th December 2008 at 3pm. You can listen again for 7 days on the BBC iPlayer.

Abnormal

This is the website belonging to Ju Gosling whose project is a finalist in the DaDa Fest. Congratulations Ju!

Go here to view and vote for your favourite.

Shut UP!

Ah television. It's taught Jordan so much.

Lately he's been saying 'Elinor? Shut UP - I love that name!'

Moreover he says it in a perfect LA Valley Girl accent.