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Information obtained from:

Edenvale Community library:
-  Working with disabled people by E Ryckmans
-  Activities for Intellectually Handicapped children by Michael Ahrens & Grant Stott
-  A Special child in the family by Diana Kimpton
-  Working together with Handicapped children by Margaret Griffiths and Philippa Russel
-  Making aids for Disabled living by Stuart E Grainger

Forest Town School for Cerebral palsied Children

Mandeville Sports Club for the disabled

Independant Living Centre for the disabled

Private Speech therapist

An inspirational  book - Step by Step by Colleen Rose
 

 FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE VERY  IMPORTANT TO DISABLED PEOPLE .

To all those special people who helped create our Web site, a very big thank you -

I'm disabled and I'm very happy.  My family and friends are very special to me.  I like to spend time with my family and friends,  I also go to a special school and I have fun.  I drive around the school in a electric wheelchair called BMW. What kind of hot wheels do you drive at the age of 13?  I just want to thank you, my family, friends and teachers for helping me and being there for me all the time.  You don't know how much it means to me.  The teachers at Forest Town School are GREAT.  I would like to give some advice to disabled people - never give up - be positive - you have to make your life worthwhile -  have fun.   "REACH FOR THE STARS" - MONIQUE
 

I'm not disabled but I tell you how my disabled friend does things just like me, eg, play games, watch television, listen to music and not to forget learns just like me.  We spend a lot of time talking to one another non stop.  One of our favourite things to talk about is books and computer.   My feelings towards a disabled person is kindness.  If a disabled person is happy I won't feel sorry for them.  They are happy.  If I can give a little advice to the disabled person, it would be never say you can't or you can never do it because you CAN.  To everyone out there don't doubt anyone or yourself.  Instead of stopping and staring at a disabled person, why don't you try to make friends with them because they really can be a good friend to you. - TAMARYN
 

SOME INTERVIEW WITH TEACHERS, PARENTS AND FRIENDS

-  I am a teacher at a "normal" school and I think it is very difficult to be a disabled person in today's society.  They are often disregarded in society which is unfortunate for them.  It is so often very difficult to incorporate them into a society and try to create an atmosphere where they will be comfortable.  Many disabled people can fit in quite well, for others it is much more difficult for them.

-  I  am a teacher at a "normal" school and if  I should have a chance to look after a disabled  person it would be exhausting depending on the extent of the disablity, I think it would be hard work. I would however love and cherish each moment with them.

-  I am a person who strongly feels that disabled people should be allowed to attend and interact with pupils in a "normal" school enviroment as not only will they benefit strongley from this but the children who are not disabled will learn so much more about the disabled by being able  to interact with them on a daily basis.

-  When l was in Australia last year l noticed that there is no differentiation  there - no matter what your disablity, whether it is mental or physical , you attend the same school as a "normal" child and depending on your ablities you are given exactly the same chance at a job once you leave school. There are no "homes" there where mentally or physically disabled are housed and they live with their families with assistance from the state.  l strongley agree with the system in Austrialia as l feel when disabled people are institutionalized they are not very well looked after.

-  A friend from South Africa has the following to say about disabled people.  They are human beings like the rest of us!  We all have diffrent abilities and whilst we may be able to run on a hocky field with no problem, a disabled person could very often recite poetry or do mathematics better than us, so it just means that we handle our own abilities in diffrent ways and each and every one of us has our own set of abilities and disabilities.They should be allowed to go to a normal school if  they are able to move around. They need our support!

-  As a parent of a very special child, it has been an eye-opener for me.  I have learnt so much from Monique in how to deal with her situation.  People are cruel, family are cruel.  It is true when said that a young disabled child is easier to deal with than a teanager or adult.  People and family will take an interest in a young child, but as the child gets older, so they are ignored by family and friends.  It is easier to leave them out than finding a way of  making them fit in.  I hope that through this website people will appreciate the joys and tears of a disabled person.  This website proves to family and friends that a disabled person can do something worthwhile.  This website proves that two young girls, one disabled and one "normal" can work, play and live together and they can achieve alot.  Tamaryn is a very special person. She does not see Monique's disability... but thrives on testing Monique's quick, intelligent mind in their very interesting discussions.  Well done girls!  I am proud of  both of  you and I know that Monique will go far, not because she has her parent's support, but because she is determined to succeed at all costs.

-  As parents of a child who has a speech and language impediment we found ourselves stressed and confused when she was first diagnosed with this disability at the age of two and a half.  We decided that instead of sitting wondering what could have possibly  gone wrong,  we decided to act immediately to start helping her overcome her problem. We started  her with speech therapy immediately and although it has taken a good couple of years of therapy and our child attends a remedial school she has made a vast amount of progress. So any parents who are faced with the situation of any form of disabilty in their children,  there is lots of  help out there.  Do not turn away from the problem and think it will go away.  Face it and you will be amazed at how many people there are that have one or another problem to help these children and how easy it is to get help for your child.  We believe in giving all children the best,  no matter about their physical or mental disablities even the brightest of children - they all deserve to be taken beyond their wildest learning abilities.

-  Monique's mother and I have been friends for 17 years and I have known Monique since a baby - she could be my daughter.  Monique never ceases to amaze me, she is more competent and computer literate than I am and I have been using the computer since 1985!!.
Physically disabled she may be, but there are "no flies' on this girl - her quick wit and intelligence are incredible - she never ceases to surprise a person.  Until dealing with Monique I had never been thrown into the world of the disabled and in fact never knew anything about their handicaps and how they have to cope in life - it's far more difficult in their world than in ours - we take everything for granted, they don't.  In fact people in general could take a leaf out of this child's book - you could learn something.  Congratulations Monique you have overcome seemingly impossible odds!!!