Parents create ‘lifeline’ summer scheme after SEN provision fears

Many of the children and young people who attend are wheelchair users, non-verbal and have medical needs.

Karen Ryan’s 17-year-old daughter, Emily, was born with a rare chromosome disorder and has profound needs.

She is non-verbal, tube-fed and is a wheelchair user, who attends Parkview Special School in Lisburn.

Karen was one of the founders of Sensability and helped set up the summer scheme.

“A lot of the attendees are wheelchair users, they would have epilepsy or diabetes, they would require tube feeds, they would be non-verbal and would need all of their personal care needs met,” she said.

Sensability paid for facilitators from Diverse Minds Events to provide sensory activities for those attending, but parents go to the scheme with their children.

“So they can be called to attend to any medical needs, any feeds, any personal care needs,” Karen said.

For Kristin Hutchinson, being able to come with her six-year-old son Adam who has severe learning difficulties, has been “vital”.

“Adam, when he has no structure at school, he is just so dysregulated,” Kristin said.

“He’s been quite distressed every day this summer, which is distressing for me.

“I would very hard to find activities or things to do with him that would help regulate him.”

She said it was great to have time to herself has really helped her.

“I left yesterday feeling a lot lighter than I went in.”