Social fabric & education - children are our future
My sister suffers from late-onset schizophrenia. Since 2003 my wife and I have been involved with assisting both her and her two children. Since 2007 we took on full responsibility of her children, when it was apparent their education was being affected by their mother’s condition. This entailed considerable deliberation as we knew it would fundamentally change our existing, one child family. After appropriate investigation it was determined we could do it. The way we succeeded was in creating a tripartite relationship between a school, Family & Community Services (previously DoCS) and a small trust we had established. The outcome has been nothing short of sensational! Both of my sister’s children are now at university, one is in his final year of Law and Criminology whilst the other is studying Nursing and Paramedics.
My sister suffers from late-onset schizophrenia. Since 2003 my wife and I have been involved with assisting both her and her two children. Since 2007 we took on full responsibility of her children, when it was apparent their education was being affected by their mother’s condition. This entailed considerable deliberation as we knew it would fundamentally change our existing, one child family. After appropriate investigation it was determined we could do it. The way we succeeded was in creating a tripartite relationship between a school, Family & Community Services (previously DoCS) and a small trust we had established. The outcome has been nothing short of sensational! Both of my sister’s children are now at university, one is in his final year of Law and Criminology whilst the other is studying Nursing and Paramedics.
One of these boys has openly admitted he came back from 'the wrong side of the tracks'. For a boy who, in his past life, didn't always attend school and had a little trouble with the 'establishment' he has made the transition from a follower (down a bad path) to a leader (on an good path).
If you wish to know more you can gain a greater overview by watching the video below.
It sure was not easy however the emotional charge you get from witnessing the changes your actions have brought about is incredibly powerful.