peter
“He teaches us so many things, like how to appreciate the small things, because those small things become really big things in his life. When my first three took their first steps it was wonderful, but when Elliot took his first steps after two and half years it was just the most amazing achievement. You know he’ll find things hard that other kids can do, but when he does them, the feeling of pride is wonderful.
He will always need support through his life and it would be great to know that there will be support. He’s only three, but we already have to fight for it. We had a home teaching programme, where a teacher would come to the house once every two weeks and spend about an hour and a half with him. It takes a lot of pressure off me as a mother of four, and it gives him everything he needs to progress in life. The funding for this service had been cut this year and it was one of many battles parents have to fight.
I wish for a future that gives me the right to enjoy Elliot’s life instead of constantly worrying about what battles lay ahead. I wish the powers that be would stop looking at the numbers, statistics or figures and start seeing the person and the families behind them. If they could inject a little compassion and respect into decisions it would make such a difference, not only for the people with Down syndrome but for their families’ lives too.”
‘Humans of the Election’ is a collaboration with Newstalk, highlighting the real people behind the issues we face in Ireland today (2/7).