Sir, – I’m a mother of an 18-year-old disabled son who has spina bifida and hydrocephalus and who needs full-time care. Aaron finished second-level education in June and was due to start an adult education programme in Stewarts Hospital in Palmerstown, Dublin, but due to Government cuts regretfully this is not happening for Aaron, or for 10 other young adults (Home News, August 1st).
Aaron has spent 15 years in Stewarts school, which he loved for many reasons, but now we don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s not just his school day he will miss out on, but physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, stimulation and most of all the company of his friends with similar needs.
It’s hard to imagine the Government is depriving these young adults of what they deserve. We, his parents, are devastated. How Aaron’s health and needs will be affected doesn’t bear thinking about. – Yours, etc,
MAJELLA TOBIN,
Johnstown Bridge,
Enfield,
Co Meath.