We had a meeting this morning with the School and the Behaivoural Support Officer. Me and my mum went to a centre about 5 miles away from where we live to meet up with some of the staff there to see if it would be possible for me to go there, instead of going to school.

The centre is really nice, it has a computer room, a kitchen, gym and tables to sit and do all of your school work at. We met up with the staff that work there and they are all really nice and friendly. We had a good look round and spoke to the staff and they said that if we were happy to go there, I could!! They seemed really interested in learning about my condition and what was the matter with me and even introduced us to some of the other children, that are also really nice. All of the kids have some sort of problems such as they are shy, have physical disabillities etc and had trouble in school so decided to go there instead. It has been decided that I will start going there from this Friday!! I am so excited and nervous at the same time.

This centre seems a lot better has you stay in one area so I don't have to walk, the teachers said they are happy for me to take a break whenever I need to and my mum has explained all about what is up with me so they are aware of it. They said that if I don't feel well one day, then all I have to do is give them a call and let them know.

At the moment I will just be going Monday, Wednesday and Friday's, so that I can get a break inbetween and hopefully not end up in a really bad flare. The club runs 4 hours a day from 8.45am to 12.45pm. They can arrange for a taxi to pick you up from your home free of charge but at the moment we feel it's better if my mum took me to and from the centre.

The teachers explained that they can either get me school work to do directly from my school (that would be fun for them as it took my teachers nearly 6 months to send me some work) or if I dropped out of school, they can give me some work to do and also the money would go directly to them, instead of the school. Having spoken to my mum and psychologist, they all feel that it's better if I didn't stay in touch with school at all and that I got work from them to do because school haven't been helpful to say the least.

I will keep you all updated. I am so excited and nervous at the same time, i'm also quite sad has i'll probably not see my tutor again. Wish me luck for Friday! ...

I am so happy and excited for you, Ali! This sounds like a perfect solution for you!

And because all the students have their own problems, they won't be focused on your problems so much.

I imagine you will make some really good friends there very quickly.

So sorry you weren't able to get your splint yesterday.

Keep us posted, k?

Hi Ali;

This sounds like a great plan for you! You will be able to do schooling, but on your own speed due to the RSD - and not feel out of place. My son did not have RSD, but did have a disability and during his high school years - he really struggled with all the problems that can occur from kids and teachers that don't know how (or care) in regards to someone with a disability. He is 20 now - and still will talk from time to time about those days- wish I could take the bad memories away from him - but cant. He reminds me of those days when someone will not understand my disability with RSD and steps in to try to be my protector! Start at your own pace, take your time and have fun, make new friends and try to enjoy (even with th RSD pain) this new chapter! If you don't mind me asking - how does the schooling in the UK handle graduating...12 years of schooling correct? Will this school give you credit towards a diploma or as we call it here, a GED which is when you learn on your own and then take the test.? Thanks for all the responses you have given me on my own questions - take care and I'm happy for this opportunity for you!

Thank you all so much for your kind words and support, it means a lot and I will let you know how I get on tomorrow at the centre.

Lindkaye - I'm sorry that your son had to go through all of that also, I know how frightening it can be dealing with an illness at a young age and just how nasty people can be. Over here in the UK (England), we start school at 4 years old and graduate high-school at 16 years old. At the centre I am going to, you can take all of your exams there, rather than having to go into school and they give you your grade there. They will also allow you to take a break if you need to and they just stop the clock and you then pick up from where you left off from, which is good. I hope that makes sense - I didn't sleep well last night so i'm sorry if I am rambling. Pain-free hugs, Alison.

I better go as I have my PT session in a bit, thanks again everyone.

Alison

This sounds like an excellent choice for you Ali.

I read earlier where you were looking at maybe having to do home schooling, but if this works then at least you'll still get that student/teacher contact without having to go through the all the traumas that you have faced so far, in your usual classes.

...........

I wanted to wish you good luck in your new school. I hope everything works out for you. I will pray that you will get relief soon from pain. Take Care I will keep you in my prayers.

Laraine

Ali, I am so excited for you. This sounds like such an excellant option. I can only imagine you being nervous but with your other school being so uncooperative it must be so nice to be welcomed and have someone who cares. I like that you only go three days. I hope that will be much easier on your poor little body. Good luck sweets & I really hope you enjoy it.
hugs, Denny

Hi Ali,
Thanks for lettings us know about your new school plans. It sounds so much more
accomodating for your health. When the teachers actually want to learn about RSD, that makes you feel so good. My new dentist was like that and actually did some research. I get antibiocs ahead of time now, and gas mask to relax me, and uses numbing gel before the needle to numb the area. I need to go again.
Let us know how he goes. I understand about the taxi, just HAVING to be ready at a certain time, puts stress and anxiety on us, which we don't need. Take care, Loretta

Thanks for the update. I wish you all the best with your school Allison.
Keep us posted..

Thank you all so much for your kind words and support, it really means a lot. The centre isn't a school, it is rather a youth club type of building.

I have just got back in about an hour ago. I had my first day at the School Centre/Youth Club today. It went fine, all of the teachers are really nice and so are the children. When I was heading into the club, all of the children started shouting "Hi Alison, How are you?", it was so nice, I got a much better response from some kids I had known 2 minutes than my so called friends that I have known for nearly 3 years!!!

Today was a "Getting to know you" session. The teachers asked us all questions and told us a bit about eachother, so that we could all get to know one another. All of the kids and staff are really nice. We then read the local newspaper, this I am told is something that they do every day to learn about what is going off in the World. The teachers then wanted us to do some work so I went and did a Coat Of Arms, I did mine mostly about RSD and the things that I like. I sat with 2 other girls who are really nice and live near me.

After about half an hour of doing some work, we went and had a brink. The staff actually allow you to have either tea, coffee or hot chocolate and toast free of charge!! You don't get that in school!!! After about a 15 minute break, seeing has it was Friday we were able to do what we wanted. Some of the kids went into the small gym and had a game of football and some did some crafts and me and another girl played the game, Guess Who.

On Monday, a teacher is coming in to help build our confidence. I have always had confidence issues but it's gotten a lot worse since developing RSD. The nice thing about this centre is no one judges anyone and when my leg was really badly shaking and spasming, non of them had a good look and laughed at it in school, it was like the teachers had told them what to expect. Everyone treats everyone equally, which is really good.

I am so tired so am going to go rest, just wanted to let you all know how I got on. I go again on Monday so will keep you posted.

Thanks again - you're all the best!!