Anyone seen this piece on Riven in the Guardian?

[LindsayWagner]

It's here.

Reading again the details of her daily life reminds me a) what an astonishing woman Riven is and b) how ashamed I am to live in a country which can treat its most vulnerable members with such disdain.

I'm so glad the Graun are following up on her and Celyn's story. She says she's tired of campaigning - of course she is. I can't imagine where she found the reserves of energy in the first place - imagine it's similar to people finding superhuman reserves of strength when their lives are under threat.

There seems to be a bit of a lull in coverage of these issues at the moment, while everyone waits for the full effects of funding cuts to become clear. But at some point the gob-smacking, almost-inconceivable reality - that the cuts are being carved out of the daily lives of families like Riven's, who probably thought their lives couldn't get any harder - will be impossible to ignore. I really, really hope we don't let this one go.

It should be merged with adult services so that you don;t get the scenario of CS refusing help that would save AS thousands longer term by developing independence or keeping famillies together.

the current regime whereby they each fight not to spend their budgets is counterproductive when we know that early input is the buggest difference.

Peachy that's shocking! Are they allowed to do that when the parent isn't present?

Yes, it seems. but you'd think not! And waht idiot thinks wrestling someone with diagnosed AS out of the house anyway is going to help?

LEas already work like that amis, huge postcode lottery. here every child (NT or SN0 gets a free holiday club if they want but hardly anyone gets post 16 support in any format at all

Bullet - theres no respite centre. Dd goes to a hospice 7 nights a year but family must go too. Its great of course but its aimed at end of life care and thats when it really kicks in.

Central funding isnt so great. Ive just been to a meeti g discussing SEN and academies. Academies are of coures, centrally funded and theres real problems with local SEN supoort. Its just not responsive. This area - bristol/south glos has the highest number of ASD/ADHD kids in the country (something i didnt know) and as more schools become centrally funded academies its turning into bedlam as the LA has no say or control.
I had no idea and have left the meeting feeling very sad.

I didnlt even know that about Brizzle Riv, you'd think I would really.

Figures though.

Its all the science research types here apparently. I was a little suprised. Ds has asd but he was born up Worcester way.

Really? wouldn;t have guessed the link

california has massive issues with too, silicone valley. Especially as the sheer numbers mean many people with asd marry people with asd and - well you get my family! (DH doesn;t have asd but has a lot of related stuff including dyslexia)

Only 7 times a year? Well, my suggestion was no use then.

I suspect the hospice would welcome one. They have very few switch adapted toys. Its a bit of a lack really

Since we're talking numbers here.

So not only did he spend more than 12000 weeks worth of carer's allowance on that hosue

he spent some on a yellow sofa.

yellow?

I bloody hate yellow!

I work for a charity that provides short respite breaks for Carers and see everyday how hard it is for carers, we too have had funding cuts from the local council and I think it is a disgrace, many carers can't even leave there homes and those who would like to are unable to as the cared for person feels vunerable or afraid many cares are isolated and become depressed due to stress of there caring role. More should be done for carers instead of cutting costs!!!!