Schools, the problems with them and politicians

Over the past five days, I read a number of posts about the school system. It seems the politicians are only interested in grades, levels and exams. In the real world, we need to know about loans, mortgages, bills, contracts and percentages. 

Children also need to learn how to use electronic calculators to do fast calculations. They also need to know how to use a keyboard effectively. Algebra and geometry aren't essential. Unless of course you are doing a job which asks for that sort of maths. 

The not yet rolled out curriculum wants to teach pupils some sort of English grammar as well. I literally laughed at that one because let's be honest, English grammar is as useful to pupils as mud or grass, quite frankly.  

Boys/girls are taught unessential exam skills not vital conversation skills. Or, empathy, personal presentation or decision making. Neither are our kids being taught how to be assertive. 

Education should not be at the mercy of politicians. Clearly, they do not have teachers and learners best interests at heart. Nor, are they responsible. Instead, they are unresponsible, uncaring fools. 

Thank you Michael Gove. All praise the British education system. P.S If you want a different perspective, Ross Mountney has written a post about the same topic. The link is at the bottom of the post. 
http://rossmountney.wordpress.com/2013/07/12/curriculum-corsets-and-a-vintage-education/

Colin Brewer, the former councillor

On one of my favourite blogs, the owner wrote a post saying Colin Brewer has now officially resigns (for lack of a better phrase). 

I guess I feel sort of happy he has gone but I never gave much thought to him. It never really occurred to me, really. Many special needs parents will be over the moon and rightfully make a big deal of the fact he left. 

Not only that, he has been banned from working with disabled children ever again. I must say I have mixed feelings about that. He has been asked to take a media training course as well. Not sure who told him though, presumably some annoyed man. Or, a woman. 

This despicable incident has done 1 good thing, it brought the disabled community together. Lets hope he does not take part in any future elections ever again. Oh and it forced people to protest and organise campaigns etc. 

As another blogger says, attitudes like his needs to change, he should make a effort to see beyond the disabilities. In other words, he should look at the abilities and personality, not the disability of the child. 

If you're new to my blog, please read my previous post about the man- http://thararavishanker.blogspot.fr/2013/05/colin-brewer-is-behind-times.html. It makes sense to read it, then you will know who he is. And, what he said. 

Despicable lady forces a disabled child to leave

Over the weekend, I happened to read an appalling article in the Sun. The article was about a crazy Costa worker who made a family leave. Her reason, another customer moaned and was 'put off' is not a good enough reason. 

My opinion is that Costa should have told the customer who had the audacity to make up such a terrible excuse, to get out, instead. Staff said other people were also uncomfortable  too. Costa if that is true, why not insist that the uncomfortable customers leave or stay and keep quiet. 

Or, even better, apologise to the affected family and insist that those shallow customers never come back. All of those options are far more sensible than the one that you actually did. What is worse, the moaning customer got a free cup of coffee because it was 'inconvenient' for her.

A fifth choice would have been to teach the lady to handle such situations better. I dont agree with some posters who said that Costa should be blamed. Because I dont think this one incident reflects on the whole company. Let's face it, that is not possible. 

She should never have got a free cup of coffee. Another lame excuse issued by Costa covering their asses, no doubt about that. I dont get why the worker must go along with the needs of a difficult customer either. 

(Sorry to Linzie, I needed to write about the issue. In a different way though, I dont do outright copying). 

This doctor has to be reported

There is an Indian doctor who thinks CP can be 'cured' by homeopathy. We know that is not true. I also dont believe his patients have had any 'success' either. According to him, CP has two other names and is a disease. CP is not a disease, doctor you should know that. Nor, can CP be caused by a infection. 

And, his English is appalling. He says homeopathy is definitely suggested for all cases of cerebral palsy. Doctor, you know what, homeopathy is not going to cure CP or autism. As these are life long conditions. 

Your ridiculous claims make me mad. I am going to report his website to the Internet Fraud Watchdog, IFW for short. In fact, we all should. That way he can learn he is a fraud. Here is where you report him http://www.ifwonline.com/lodge-case.htm 

To help you fill it out, say homeopathy fraud in the comments bit on the form. Like I said earlier, the more reports, the better. 

A open letter to Sarah Palin

Sarah P if you are reading this, I hope you take it as constructive criticism. Because that is actually what it is. And, you had the powers and the opportunity to change society's views on disabilities. It seemed like such a wasted opportunity. I was completely disgusted and annoyed with your attitude as well. 

I would love to see you taking care of your son not leaving it to Todd. Kudos to Todd for helping but why cant you prepare your son's pureed food, then? There better be a good reason for not doing it. All you do Sarah, is shove Trig in the limelight. No offense but you should be involved in his care. Show us some photos of him and you once in a while. 

Sarah, you should teach society not to pity and feel bad for Trig. Pity is a very dangerous emotion. And, a wasted one far too often. Look at Trig and feel proud of him. Surely he is has been beating the odds and making progress since day one. Ignore other people's opinions, they are not important. 

Nothing can possibly make up for cruelty. Cruelty is a by product of ignorance and just as dangerous as pity. In fact, even more so. Quit thinking Trig is not 'normal'. Like I said earlier, normal does not exist. Break out of the comparison idea, Trig is very young and full of potential too. 

I did have a lot of respect for you Sarah but that went to hell after I read the article. 

On Downs Syndrome and the new screening test

Yesterday afternoon, while surfing the Internet, I came across an article which discussed the new Downs syndrome screening test. I dont think women should be forced to take the test, not if they dont want to. Out of plain curiosity, I decided to read the comments section at the bottom. 

The first poster said" I think the test is wonderful. Care homes are not a option because he/she would be treated badly. Stop being small minded". What, does no one have trust in care home workers, then?? Also, sometimes care homes are a necessity. And, the people who dont abort, are not small minded and a coward, you are. 

The second poster said" Your job as a parent is to raise a child who should be independent". Not necessarily, sometimes the child will never be able to be completely independent. These comments are utterly disgusting and disturbing. Yes, raising a child with issues does require effort but if you cant do it, dont be a parent. It really is as simple as that. 

Next commentator said" Why bring a damaged person into the world when it can be prevented"? You seriously think Downs children are damaged, then? Okay, that shows you are small minded and a despicable person, really despicable. I never thought people would display cowardice and small mindedness. 

On the flipside, here is a positive comment. I dont know why it was worst rated it should NOT have been. "Don't get pregnant if you're not prepared and never forget you killed a child because you didn't want to make the effort and provide a little more help and support for longer". So true, I love the comment. 

The most appalling article of 2011- maybe

If you were asked to describe the UK mobility scheme, what words would you use? And more importantly, what reasons would you cite? 

The mobility scheme is supposed to help the disabled population get around independently. But the Sunday Times thinks otherwise. The newspaper printed a article claiming that the scheme was 'abused'. Really Sunday Times, why would you try and promote hate propaganda, it is UTTERLY despicable. 

Your claim that the State hands out vehicles in a £500m scandal is a shocking lie. I cannot remember the government being that kind to the disabled. Ever in my opinion. It gets worse too, here's the disgusting bit. The Sunday Times seem hell bent on promoting hate crime, which we all know we need... thank you for that. 

I also think the article is a nice way for the privileged to claim they hate the disabled folk entirely. Privileged in this sense means the government. But, it only makes them look like they are crazy sociopaths. Also, the article is rather crass, uncaring and totally appalling as well. 

Why I dont believe in homeopathy

I came across a website which promoted homeopathy. The website is a Indian one. Sorry but I dont believe homeopathy even works. I wish the NHS would ban homeopathy and focus on effective therapies instead. Homeopathy offers a strategically planned approach towards the treatment of developmental disorders which incorporates medicines and behavioural therapy. 

Does anyone have any proper evidence to prove it works. Nope, people think the therapy works but it doesnt. Homeopathy is a waste of money. I have discovered homeopathy practitioners waste time doing it. Homeopathy is merely a cock and bull thing. Homeopathy is also a waste of valuable resources. 

The parents could spend the money on other things. Like, books, food or clothes for example. Of all the silly stupid things out there, homeopathy has to be the most ridiculous, I think. The problem is that homeopathy abuses the placebo effect and promises a 'solution' or 'end' to desperate people. And, they make money out of it which is dreadful. 

What is even worse is that homeopathy has never been proven scientifically. On the Baby Centre blog, a lady wrote a post defending the therapy. Baby Centre is a parenting website. Elsie- that is her name, said homeopathy resulted in her pregnancy. I'm not sure I believe that is true. In fact, I dont. 

Because the only real way to start a pregnancy, is sex. Uncontrolled sex, for that matter.  Maybe, a death would convince them homeopathy is utterly pointless. Here are some pictures of practitioners. 

Virendray Kumar 

Asif Syed 

Devi Roy 

Stupid things hospital staff say to me

Have you pooed? Do doctors realise how inappropriate this question is? Doctors DO not need to ask a patient this gross question every time they come to the hospital. Asking once in a while is not unappropriate, asking every time is. 

Only give Fentanyl once a day. Do you actually realise I am in pain? A LOT. If you come to my home and observe me, then you would not give crap advice. 

Are you pregnant? Does it look like I'm pregnant. What a stupid thing to ask. It also indicates the receptionist is sort of stupid. 

You need to paint your nails again. I was livid when a doctor said to me. And, surprised a doctor had the cheek to say that. I dismissed her though. She was crap anyway. 

You have cancer. A doctor said this to me in 2005. I knew I had cancer though so I was never really sure why he said it. Maybe to reconfirm? 

Im sure there is more but I cant be bothered right now. 

Inclusion

Inclusion is a good thing. ALL parents should know it is actually. But, do they? In fact, inclusion for me, took on a whole new meaning after my cousin Nina was born. Some parents say you hurt the many by helping the few. Really, is that all you can say. Why must parents come up with crazy stupid excuses? 

To me, inclusion is not inclusion unless every one including the severely disabled are included. I also believe effective teachers are the ones who meet the needs of all the pupils. No one should be against inclusion. Inclusion is a good thing. It exposes children to all children. Whether that is children with CP, downs syndrome, dyslexia etc. 

The parents who have the cheek to say it 'disadvantages' my child are wrong and lack empathy, compassion and a open mind. Inclusion has many benefits. Including, the values I wrote about in the second paragraph. 

I never knew inclusion was a issue till I read this Telegraph article. Here is the link for it- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/children_shealth/3349996/Inclusion-Not-in-Samuels-case.html

I read the article and was horrified by the school's absurd decision. Where is their inclusion policy? Answer- they dont have one which is shocking.  The headmaster talked about 'inclusion' yet the school refuses Samuel. Doesn't seem like inclusion to me, does it? 

David Cameron's costly mistakes

This evening I read a article on David Cameron's new tax plans. You want my view on the matter then. Okay here is what I think it is a complete waste of our money and time. Why is he spending time and valuable money on a stupid tax scheme, eh? I will never understand that.  To me, it is bureaucracy gone completely bonkers. 

The fact he is proposing this plan while we are all poor is mad, simply mad. I still dont know why  he was too lazy to ring fence funding for councils in England. How can a father of a disabled child simply shove our children aside? It is completely immoral and distressing. He wants my disabled daughter to rely on the State all her life.

My 11 month daughter loves play and toys but cannot sit unaided. I looked at my 2 hands this morning and felt grateful I can use them properly. Anna's dedicated and lovely OT, physio, SALT, vision and social worker are all based in the community. All of them receive funding from Epsom/Ewell Council. 

Let me tell you, the less therapy she receives, the longer it will take her to be independent. I will never stop fighting for what my daughter needs in order to be independent. It makes very little, actually no financial sense to take the people and equipment which will help Anna, away from her. 

Congratulations, lets all hail and worship your idea of a Big Society. 

My opinion on the end the word retard campaign

This week I came across a blog post saying the word retard should be banned. The blog owner, Ellen also said it was not about the word itself, it was about respect. 

Banning the word retard is not going to improve the lives of the disabled even though some people idiotically claim it will. I cant agree with her or the campaign for that matter. I dont believe in banning words because I believe in free speech. 

And, when you believe in that, you cant pick the words you only wish to hear. Ellen doesnt believe the campaign is about censorship, she thinks it is about respect. I disagree it IS about censorship. Plus, I hate anything that claims to *help* the disabled and doesnt. Let me tell you, it is a complete waste of time and valuable resources. 

Simply asking people to stop using it will not stop antisocial behaviour. Nor, will it help to prevent hate crimes against disabled people. Basically, this campaign rewards people for doing nothing which is utterly disgraceful. 

And, the campaign was a failure right from the very start too. People will also feel they have made a difference when they haven't which disturbs me. I know Ellen received some disgusting remarks on her blog post. 

Those sort of responses should remind us that people are entitled to say what they want to.  I dont even believe that the use of the word retard is even a issue either. Treating the disabled with respect is a issue. And, we should focus our energy and attention on that. 

There is a wise saying a word is a word even if the word hurts. Also, the context the word is used in, is everything. 

Colin Brewer is behind the times

To summarise, Colin Brewer said "that all disabled children be put down" in February. The comments were understandably distressing to a large number of people worldwide. 

Many of them, including Hayley G of http://www.downssideup.com/ urged him to give up his post and resign. And, he did after a hard hitting interview with Laurence of BBC Radio Cornwall. We don't need people with outdated and warped opinions any more. 

I want you to remember that the large majority of people are good and loving individuals. And, that only a few people with old fashioned views like Mr Brewer exist. 

Unfortunately, signing ePetitions or complaining to the Cornwall Council doesnt work anymore as no one can fire Mr Brewer. Here is a article by Mr John Pring of Disability News Service. Warning, do not read the article if you are easily upset or squeamish as the article is not a nice pleasant one.  

Here is the link http://disabilitynewsservice.com/2013/05/colin-brewer-there-is-a-good-argument-for-killing-some-disabled-babies/