When Peter's Dr spoke about school I wasn't having any of it. I didnt want Peter out of my sight and I was sure a school could not give our son the care he needed. When I was encouraged that this was a good idea and in Peter's best interest they started the ball rolling to have Peter statemented! Peter at this stage is fed continuously through a button in his stomach, he is on 20 different medications which have to be syringed, of which 6 have to be given during school. He can't sit unaided and often had episodes when he stopped breathing so had to have oxygen with him at all times. Just days before Peter's start date we were told he had been refused a one to one classroom assistant and that he would be fine with what the class had "1 teacher and 1 classroom assitant"! (the memory of that social workers words burned sore in my heart!) The decision was made for me there was no way our son was going to be in danger at school while I was at home...school ended there for me. But it soon became a issue with Peter's care workers & they fought on...but for whom I am not really sure! In the meantime I was asked to take Peter into the school to meet the teacher and other children who were all lovely. I could tell very early this was not for Peter or me though we went about 6 times altogether. Some days were better than others and we made a beautiful kite together which has pride place on the wall in our playroom. We also met Peter's little forever friend "Caitlin" who has also gone to play with Peter in heaven! In that little classroom there were 6 angels...5 of them all play together in heaven now. Then it started to become apparent that school was just too much for Peter...he was much too tired and slept more than he was awake. Some months later Peter was granted a one to one classroom assitant whom he never met! While nursing Peter at home in Dec '04 his teacher came to ask us if he would like to play Joseph in their school play, "Mary" would be Caitlin his little forever friend...this built a bond between these two children that no-one would ever separate! The play was on Dec 15th and Peter was very ill at this stage. It took a very brave decision to go ahead...I was so afraid we would lose him with moving him the short distance to the school. When I asked his pallative care Dr could we lose him if it was too much, she said "yes but you have to decide what you think Peter would want to do". That morning we still didn't know if he could cope...but has I looked at him sleeping on his bed with his cousin holding his little hand something told me to do it. I knew it was memories we were making and prayed with my heart I had got it right. For me Peter was the star of that play he looked so beautiful as always! He wasn't awake for very long but when he was he shone as his picture shows. The audience were asked not to clap or cheer incase it would trigger a fit and my little "Joseph" sailed in & out of that hall to not a sound! He was our very precious "December child". The trip to his school play with all the equipment he needed his community nurse, pallative care Dr, his Daddy, sisters, Godmother, any family that could be there and myself was worth the fear that stayed in my heart all those days before. Our wee "Joseph" was just a beautiful little star! That was Peter's last day at the school.