Hi, my name is Elizabeth I have spent my whole life helping and supporting families who have children and young people with disabilities and special needs. I was a SENCO, teacher, advocate, adviser, friend but my most important job, is as a mother to my three children, the eldest of whom, Isabel, brings me the greatest of joy every, single, day.
Isabel can't talk, can't walk, can't feed herself, can't dress herself, she has a list of 'diagnosis' as long as your arm, but she can light up a room with her smile, spread love and happiness wherever she goes, she is the light of my life.
Living in Greater Manchester I have seen and fought for the voices of our 'special' children and young people to be heard, through lockdown when families were abandoned, children forgotten, through shielding, through covid, through cost of living crisis and through whatever comes next, there is always a battle, a fight for children and young people to get support and help.
Well, along with some other parents we want to invite children and young people who are disabled and have special needs to a once in a lifetime carnival of joy, entertainment, sensory room, food, drinks, and a chance for parents to watch their children having some fun and chance for our children and young people to get together, from different parts of Greater Manchester. We would love to make this 'at least' an annual event.
Any funding that is raised will go directly to developing this event, getting transport in place for those that need it, making sure there is a sensory room with games, a chill out space, lighting, photography (so children can have professional photos with their families), food, drinks, party bags, cake and ice cream, changing places toilet, for example. Any money left over (should there be any) will be used to buy equipment - wheelchairs, commodes, hoists for families most in need.