Today I told J, my nine-year-old son, that we had asked the local council to fund a ceiling track hoist in the living room so we could all sit together as a family (including his ten-year-old brother with severe cerebral palsy and life-limiting epilepsy).

Then I told him they said no and his eager face turned sour. First, he was teary before quickly becoming angry. A very similar response to me really. I told him that I had written a letter to the council explaining how I felt.

“Would a letter from a child be good?” he asked.

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“Absolutely” was my reply.

“Grown-ups write letters to the council all the time but nine-year-old boys don’t,”

“We all need to say what we think is right, no matter how old we are,” I assured him.

I suggested he put pen to paper and promised it would count instead of handwriting and GPS homework…

Sold to the nine-year-old boy!

Apparently, J is learning how to write ‘pleading’ letters at school. He’s being taught to think of all the possible arguments someone might have and then give a counter argument.

So, this is a nine-year-old brother’s response to the council turning down our request for a ceiling track hoist that would enable us as a family to snuggle on the sofa and watch a film together.

nine-year-old letterIn case you didn’t get it, it reads

Dear ….. Council

My mummy has told me that you won’t let my famaly (family) have a houst (hoist) in our living room so my disabled brother can sit on the sofa.

I heard you said it cost to (too) much to install but from leaving the EU don’t we have lots more money? (It seems the propaganda reached Year 4.)

He is very special to me and we are all uneaque (unique) we sould (should) have the right to sit with him.

As well as this he is getting heavyer (heavier) and my mum and dads (dad’s) back are getting weaker.

Taking away our happy memerys (memories) will be reasting (resting) on your soulder (shoulder).

Sincerearly J

 

They say ‘from the mouths of babes’ – well, this is a letter from the hand of a nine-year-old brother.

I think he’s got that covered, don’t you?

I’ve posted the letter today and I hope they give him the courtesy of writing back. I’m not expecting a change of heart, I know there are lots of reasons why they can’t fund this equipment. But once again I hope this highlights that the decisions made by professionals around a table impact lives, not just of disabled children but of those that love them.

Read more of our family’s story in the 5* rated book ‘The Skies I’m Under‘ (J is very chuffed he has two chapters all to himself!). It’s all about when life takes an unexpected turn.

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