All our kids are stars

Sometimes the world of Special Needs can make a parent feel like part of an under-class; one in which your choices as an adult (sleep, diet, going out) have all been taken away, and this goes double for your child. At other times you feel privileged to have been admitted into a world full of heroic adults and brave children. It can also be a lot of fun.

So it was on Friday when we attended the Samuel Pepys' School annual carol service in St Neots. This pair of weary parents trooped in to the Evangelical church, not feeling particularly festive, but as the first class performed their carol, we were transported away to a land of genuine joy and celebration. We have known many of the children at the school for years and so we were thrilled to see how all of them have progressed in ability and confidence. The staff were great at facilitating and supporting all the children without being too prominent themselves.

Of course, a lot of our attention was focused on our son Dan who, like all the others, enjoyed the whole show and participated better than any year so far. He even dressed up.

We came away feeling very good about the school, all the staff and support workers, the parents, and of course, Dan. Now we are ready to get the tree out of the loft and get into the Christmas spirit properly.


Thanks to all at Samuel Pepys, especially Mandy the Head, Jerry the teacher and Doreen and Laura who support Dan so well.