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Original poster

Would anyone be interested in a meet?

189 replies

thederkinsdame · 14/11/2009 00:48

I've read several posts recently where people have spoken about the isolation and loneliness of parenting child/ren with SEN and feeling like you don't belong. Would anyone be interested in setting up some regional groups for adults to meet up, say once a month, for a coffee, or a drink and a chat with parents in the same boat? It would be a good way of letting off steam and sharing tips and knowledge and having a bloody good moan if need be!

I'm a bit protective about what I post on here in terms of personal info that could identify me - e.g. where I live, but would be happy to do through TTR if anyone else is keen.

OP posts:
SongOfThePEACHY · 16/11/2009 09:37

I am in SE Wales but afail nobody elsevery close on mn sn boards

There was nobody in Somerset either until I moved here LOL,are they telling me summat...

fatzak · 16/11/2009 09:44

Surely we aren't the only ones from the North Trace

laumiere · 16/11/2009 10:09

I'm in Lewisham, SE London, represent!

staryeyed · 16/11/2009 11:00

I am north London.

jasdox · 16/11/2009 11:06

SongOfThePEACHY is bristol close enough

SongOfThePEACHY · 16/11/2009 11:11

Bristol is close jasdox,have met Riven but nobody else yet (we're 20 minutes over the bridge)

badkitty · 16/11/2009 12:24

Hi PheasantPlucker, we must be fairly close then - we are also at St Georges, only live about 20 mins walk from there!

PheasantPlucker · 16/11/2009 12:45

Ah, we are a 57 bus ride away! Postcode 20, if that makes sense?

PheasantPlucker · 16/11/2009 12:48

DD1 sees Hilary Rattue for physio, who is fantastic. Neuro Consultant is the lovely Dr Hajikoumi. Eyes Mr Thompson. Botox usually Mr Gateley, but Miss Daly next Tuesday for the first time. Plus a variety of others!

devientenigma · 16/11/2009 12:51

I'm North East, near Newcastle!

glittery · 16/11/2009 14:24

Glasgow?

badkitty · 16/11/2009 16:49

Yep we are postcode 18 - also have Dr Hadjukoumi, and I think we are supposed to have Mr Thompson although have only met his minions so far!

Marne · 16/11/2009 17:20

I would be interested, i am in the SW (Dorset) but i don't mind traveling a little way .

PheasantPlucker · 16/11/2009 17:25

Badkitty - We usually get Mr Thompson's minions!!! He is a ver' ver' ver important man, clearly!!! He did do the squint surgery on dd1 and we do see him occasionally.

DD1 is also under Simon Stapleton, but we often get his 'minions' too!

DD spent 3 months+ on the NNU there, and we have kept under their care, which has been great.

anonandlikeit · 16/11/2009 21:06

I'm in the middle of nowhere Suffolk! Anyone near?

Original poster
thederkinsdame · 16/11/2009 23:43

Thanks, ladies. So Far, I think everyone who wants to meet will be able to see someone.

OP posts:
Original poster
thederkinsdame · 16/11/2009 23:58

oooh this is exciting. To give figures so far, we have:

London/South East - 13 people (including one MN who's East, until we get more folk!)

S-West - 3 people

Wales - 1

North - 2 (but a distance apart)

Scotland - 1 (But have links there, so could meet at some point :-) )

Anyone else interested?

POll - at this stage what does everyone feel that they want to do? Would you like regional meets if we get more folk, or one country-wide meet for everyone in one venue if regional won't work? Personally, I think regional would be better if we can make it work as a central meet will involve long-distance travel for some of us, wherever we have it, which may be difficult because of family circumstances.

Let me know your thoughts!

OP posts:
TheDevilWearsPrimark · 17/11/2009 11:09

I am in N London and would very much be up for this.

Can I ask if any of you have joined contact a family? I've recently gotten in touch with them and they seem great so far.

chuckeyegg · 17/11/2009 11:17

I'm in Hertfordshire.

MumOfThreeMonkeys · 17/11/2009 11:23

nobody is ever from northern ireland

Original poster
thederkinsdame · 17/11/2009 12:01

Thedevilwearsprimark - what's contact a family? I haven't heard of it?

Sorry, Mumofthree, for the ommission have added you to the list - come on ladies, there must be someone else in NI?

OP posts:
Jo5677 · 17/11/2009 12:21

I'm in Salisbury, Wiltshire but would be happy to go to Dorset or Hampshire for a meet with anyone around there ?

overthebar · 17/11/2009 13:00

South London SW2/SW16

debs40 · 17/11/2009 13:04

Jo me too - in Salisbury that is!! Blimey, I thought I was all on my ownsome.

Do you have any experience of the ASD assessment process here?

Jo5677 · 17/11/2009 13:15

Hi Debs, wow i thought i was the only one in Salisbury !

My 8 year old son is on the spectrum,he's under a general disabilities doctor at SD Hospital.
He hasn't had any sort of assesment since he was 3 years old at the local child development center. That said he's statemented,and his diagnosis is a 'speech and language disorder with expressive and receptive difficulties and extreme low muscle tone and lax ligaments'.
Proff's involved have been unwilling to commit to labelling him as autistic but say that his disorder does place him somewhere on the spectrum. He definately has quite a few autistic traits and sensory issues going on.
He's in mainstream with the help of a TA and an outreach programme comming in to guide the TA. It's working our really well for him atm.

How old is your child if you don't mind me asking ?