This blog post was written on 3/5/2020

Not sure if it is down to the lack of an education setting, or lack of being forced into a setting that doesn’t meet need. Or the fact that there are no longer pressures that Charlie faces educationally, but there have been some big changes in Charlie in the last few days. Changes that mean I’ve been able to engage and parent him just how I want to and that has made me so happy.

In the last few days, Charlie has got himself dressed in the mornings, brushed his teeth twice a day, taken from the fact that his older siblings are doing their teeth and he wants to join in. He’s asked to come with me, when I’ve gone out in the car and the best of all he wanted a shower!! This is incredible. Charlie has an aversion to the shower, it absolutely traumatises him, even the bath traumatises him, all personal care does. So the fact that Charlie has managed to get in the shower has really been incredible and I am so happy about this.

I feel like there is so much hope. Charlie’s sensory issues and autism doesn't disable him and definitely doesn’t define him, very small steps but definitely positive steps forward. Another absolute miracle has been resumed contact with Dad. He came to pick up Charlie’s older sister, after she had arranged to spend the weekend with him. Charlie asked if he could go the following weekend, which was yesterday and Charlie spent the day there which was wonderful.

Not only does Charlie get to see and spend time with his father, but also many of his paternal relatives too, I get respite and a few hours with my other children which is just priceless. One of the hardest parts of raising Charlie is the lack of support and childcare there is for children like him, and because of this, and because of the fact he is a 24/7 child it means my other children often miss out on having me too. It is definitely something that I will always promote and bring awareness too, the lack of support and the invisibility of siblings of children with additional needs.

And finally, probably the very best news of this week, which has absolutely blown me away as we have had more happiness this week that we have in a very long time, is that I got a swivel egg chair from Ikea. Thoroughly recommend this product. Charlie loves it! He literally spins in it all day, its the best money I have ever spent and to be fair, the ££’s are building! We are going nowhere, so spending nothing, so it’s enabled me to save up and buy some essential sensory bits for Charlie.

Still no news on the appeal. And one of our dogs is quite sick, which is a little bit devastating. I am at the vets tomorrow so will fill you all in when I get the news.

Stay Safe

Georgina x