Okay I've taken to wearing shin pads on my arms....

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

Not to look like a storm trooper (although ds2 and ds3 were quite impressed) but because ds1 has put bruises on top of bruises this weekend and I swear I will cry if my arms get pinched anymore. The are various shades of black/blue and yellow already.

The shin pads (quite obviously) look ridiculous though. Does anyone know of anything that could act as body armour - the only other thing I can think of doing is wrapping my arms in crepe bandages which would look equally daft.

I'm hoping that after a few days of an unsatisfactory response (e.g. shin pads rather than skin) ds1 will get bored of trying to pinch my arms (although he can still get my hands so it might not work).

I've tried all the behavioural responses; they don't work with this.

I've tried, but I don't think it's come out very well.

A friend who saw them yesterday at a kids swimming party said I should get them documented by my GP. I think she's right, but I'm not sure I can face doing that iykwim. They're the worst they've ever been.

yes I sort of hesitated a bit about suggesting photos, as of course it's going to be very distressing for you documenting all this, but given SS have been playing silly buggers with you re:DPs in a way that has been so detrimental to your family well being, it is probably necessary (and will I imagine require lots of wine afterwards).

Fio my understanding is that shortbreaks can mean anything from an hour or so (at a sn club for instance)to a few hours. I think the term is meant to be er flexible!

I have worries too! I think our local 'lot' are hoping other services will provide 'short breaks' for them ie including sn chidren in cub scouts or an hour in a shopping creche (several miles away)- nice for an add-on for those who can access these thing but not enough! I thought the whole point was to improve flexibility of the system - but its kind of a cultural shift in a traditionally er heavyfooted system. Perhaps they'll get there in the end.

They're the same here re epilepsy.

They also independently decided (without actually asking parents) that parents don't want overnight respite in respite centres they want it in foster homes. Which is bollocks. I had to fight a year and half to get them to help make our home safe for ds1, why would they make a foster home safe?

Agree totally. I need daytime help and respite, not evening or overnight. And above all I need things for ds1 to access and do. They seem to waver between thinking he's some sort of blob who's so learning disabled he doesn't notice anything or completely normal (because he looks it right? ) so can go anywhere and do anything if I was just a bit firmer with him.

The sad thing was that our new sn holiday club - which can cater for all needs had unused spaces this holiday. Possibly because they underallocated and it is a new service and was mostly parent funded for reasons similar to JJs SS muddle - ie the DPs weren't sorted in time!

"but you cant just carry on ignoring a whole section of society because its too much trouble"

AND more expensive. Which is about all SS care about.