When we moved here my children went to Manor house school and i helped out with the reading there and school trips. but also helped out at Weaver vale I was doing my NVQ 2 there and wanted to be a classroom assistant but Ben left the Manor and was struggling at Helsby, its a good school but not for children with Aspergers they didnt understand Ben and he really suffered wth his Tourettes I think because he was clever they expected a lot from him and by Christmas he’d had a breakdown, it was so sad, he was out of school for nearly a year once he’d got a statement of special educational needs he went to West Kirby on the Wirral. How long did you teach the piano at The Manor ? The Headmistress was Mrs Hodder ? i think but she left when our children joined and then it was Mrs Cotteral. Ben had a lovely piano teacher called Bev Greenwood. Did you ever teach at any of the special needs schools?
I didn’t actually teach in the school itself. I started off in the Community Centre then used to go round to people’s houses. It’s just that most of my pupils went to the Manor. In 1986, three other piano teachers left the area so I suddenly had loads more pupils. I liked the ones from the three primary schools but I had some from a private school; The Grange? They were quite aloof and cynical.
Over the last 5 years or so I’ve really become so very frail. I used to be so active - worked for 17 yrs full time - mother of two. I even did a part time degree after I was diagnosed - and organised a few meetings at the House of Commons as a campaign volunteer.
So… I have done the sort of things you are supposed to try and do. All the “stay positive” - “meaningful goals” stuff.
But now… I’m a mess. I don’t recognise myself. I’ve zero energy. I’m so dizzy and feel sick in the car.
At home I struggle to push my chair to the living room and can’t sit upright without head support. So, I end up in bed all day.
On the plus side, my OT has referred me to wheelchair services again - but there’s always a long wait. I know everyone is different - but for me I had 10 yrs of being reasonably active and now really housebound.
I’m going to explore having a scooter or electric wheelchair though.