Hopeful!

We have been very busy since I last posted.

I have spent the last two months compiling reports, assessments and letters of support to add to our application. I have written countless e-mails and sent hard copies of a flyer that we created to our State MPs and anybody else whom we thought needed to be aware of our plight. I have spent hours on the phone seeking advice, asking questions and learning much. It has been a full time job, incredibly time consuming and for a long time, it felt like I was getting nowhere.

Then one evening, I received a phone call that changed everything. A staff member from Maxine Morand's office rang on Maxine's behalf, explaining that they had received my correspondence (I instantly blushed as I was fully aware of how much correspondence I had sent!). I wondered if I was to be reprimanded and told to stop pestering them. She went on to explain that Maxine would be taking a personal interest in our case and that we would be receiving further contact from her office in the following days.

The following day, I was contacted by Marilyn McKeown from the Department of Education, informing us that Taylor's case had been brought to her attention and she was asked to contact us, to discuss matters further. She was offering her assistance in guiding us through the complex process of preparing the application and offered to support our application to have Taylor recognised as 'hearing impaired' and placed in an appropriate deaf educational setting.

Finally, people were listening and seemed willing to help,

Our case continues to gather momentum with some heavy weight individuals and agencies stepping on board to add their support. I had a very interesting and informative meeting with Eden Parris from CAUS - Communication Rights Australia, who was unbelievably knowledgeable and able to advise us of our rights and recent developments in domestic and international law that pertains to our case.

So we are not over the line yet....but things are certainly feeling a lot more positive.

We are now preparing to meet with an independent DEET (Department of Early Childhood Development and Education) nominee, who will oversee the formal application process (ENQ - Educational Needs Questionnaire). After this our application will go in to 'central' to be evaluated by a panel and a resolution/decision will be made. This could take a month or two *SIGH*.

So we will wait, in anticipation, for a positive resolution.

Thanks to the following individuals and agencies that have lent their support to our cause:

Deaf Children Australia
Epilepsy Victoria
The Association for Children with a Disability (especially Kathy Pompetti)
Eden Parris and CAUS - Communication Rights Australia
Jason Merlino MP
Maxine Morand, Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development
Marilyn McKeown, Department of Education
The many medical professionals at the Royal Children's Hospital, whom I won't identify personally for confidentiality purposes.

Please continue to show your support by clicking on the comments link below and leave your comments, thoughts and words of encouragement.