Heretothere

Kadey update

As you know by now Eamon & Gillian are parents to two boys...Adam aged 8 and Shane aged 6.5 Shane was diagnosed with Autism and Moderate learning difficulties in 0ctober 2005 aged 2 years and 10 months. Shane was a child who presented the family with very challenging behaviours, and was Non-verbal making life difficult for all.

While he would bang floors, walls etc, he would regularly break glass with his head. Almost immediately a placement was secured for Shane at The Bridge Project in Athboy Co. Meath which was like a pre-school setting for children on the spectrum.

With tuitors working one to one with the children. The premises was rented by the parents and as time progressed they were finding it more and more difficult to meet the financial needs of the facility, Gillian & Eamon decided to organise a Golf Classic in June of 2006 to raise funds. They approached a friend and neighbour, Derek to ask if he would be willing to sponsor the event.
Derek was very aware of the financial pressure that Gillian & Eamon and other families were under and was more than willing to help out with the fundraiser It was a fantastic success and made life a little easier as the financial pressure had been eased.

In September 2006 Gillian with her sister Orla went to Galway to attend a workshop on Children with autism with Challenging behaviours where they met Tom Caffrey, a highly recognised Behaviour Analyst, based out of New Jersey U.S.A., and a consultant to Stepping Stones ABA School in Kilcloon Co. Meath
Gillian spoke with Tom at length in desperation after the workshop regarding her concerns about Shane and his behaviours, Tom agreed to come to the school in Athboy to do an assessment in the November of 2006.

Following on from that meeting/assessment, he met with the senior tuitors in Stepping Stones to ask if they would be willing to help out with a 'Family in need of help and intervention' and Michelle came out to the school to meet with Shane and his tuitor Shirley.

In February 2007 with three of the five children in The Bridge Project having being allocated school placements, which left only Shane and one other child in the pre-school, it was decided to close the pre-school and find alternative room's for their children.

Gillian set up a room in her parents' house and Shirley worked with Shane as his home tuitor. Michelle and the girls from Stepping Stones gave Tirelessly of their time and came to her parents house week-end in and Week-end out to work with Shirley, to help them through this extremely difficult time in their lives.

Between Tom, Michelle, Sarah and the girl, the long hard hours of work, did draw blood, sweat & tears trying to manage the behaviours which took at least two people at a time.

Gillian & Eamon wondering would they ever get their little boy back. And through the efforts of every one, Shirley, her parents, her sister Orla, niece's Carla and Beth and friend Joanie, they helped them turn Shane's life around which in turn changed all of their lives.

Gillian & Eamon cannot put in to words how grateful they are to Tom for his insight into the world of Shane. To Michelle, Sarah and the staff of Stepping Stones for the support they received and still receive do to this day. No money could pay them for their kindness and consideration to them.


Shane is now a pupil at St. Michaels N.S. Centre for Autism in Trim and is a very happy little boy there under the very special wings of Sandy, Nicola, Katrina, Jackie and Maura & staff.

Still Non-verbal and still with behaviours not quite as Challenging as they were but still with a long road ahead.

Gillian & Eamon