KIDS

Short Breaks help relieve the strain on families and reduce stress for parents. They give the disabled child an opportunity to get away from the family home, enjoy new experiences and meet new people. Last year, KIDS provided over 60,000 hours of Short Breaks to hard pressed families like Danny’s (in the picture). Danny, whose story you hear in the appeal, is 17 and has been going on Short Breaks for over 3 years.

When he first started going on Short Breaks, he struggled with speaking and would get frustrated easily. Ruby who works with him said, “When I first met him, he wouldn’t look at me. Now he is a totally different person. He will shake my hand, ask questions and has the confidence to go out on his own with his buddies. He even supports the KIDS team when we organise group outings (see picture).”

Udanya is 12 and has Down’s syndrome. Gina has been working with Udanya for over a year, regularly taking her to the Belmont Farm. “Since we’ve started visiting the farm, she has learnt to name the animals unaided. She is showing compassion, and our visits there allow her to improve her social skills, through engaging with the other children.”