Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am very scared of heights.  Very.

I barely managed to climb up to the platform, let alone be torn from it, for the Bournemouth Pier Zip Wire.  However, I am soon going to be doing a Skydive...

My son, Jonny (child no. 2/4) was born with a very rare genetic condition, and has a severe language disorder (amongst other difficulties).  He has been to specialist speech and language schools since year 3 (7 years old), and since he was 11 has been at St Catherine's School in Ventnor ,on the Isle of Wight.  

St Catherine's is a very, very special place.  The pastoral care is fabulous, and having class sizes of about 5-7, (the entire school has about 50 pupils) each with a Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational therapist, together with a teacher and assistant, means that there is a properly holistic approach to learning.  Having Speech and Language Therapy individually as well as in (very)  small groups, helping with concepts and vocabulary linking in to the curriculum gives the children the best chance to fulfil their potential.  

You remember that special moment when you or your child learnt how to cycle?  Well, that was something that a wonderful OT worked on with Jonny at St Catherine's.  Being Jonathan, he didn't think to tell us, so receiving a letter telling us that he could now ride a bike without stabilisers, aged 14 was utterly amazing.

Jonny is now studying for some qualifications, and if the local authority agrees, he will be able to stay there, post-19, until he is 25.  He is already practising shopping and cooking, and other life skills, like working out bus time tables, and doing unaccompanied travel.  

It is a school that does its best to ensure that  children without a voice achieve their potential.

If you could donate, as much as you feel comfortable, it will help these children become more than was ever hoped for......

St Catherine's Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.