My cerebral palsy (CP) affected me physically at school, with an obvious visual element, but it also affected me academically. In my case, processing and retaining large amounts of information could be challenging, so I sometimes needed additional time and support.
The support that helped me
I had a Special Needs Assistant (SNA) all throughout my school life to help me with these challenges. Looking back at it now, I realise they each played a huge role. They supported me and allowed me to achieve my full potential.
Shireen will no doubt tell me off for singling her out, but she had an incredible impact on both me and my parents. We remain enormously grateful for the help and support she provided. I’m happy to admit that she played a huge part in helping me achieve some of my GCSEs, particularly in subjects I found difficult to grasp. It was an experience that brought two families together.
I still stay in touch with Shireen. We have maintained a wonderful friendship and regularly reminisce about the memories we shared.
Changing schools and fitting in
I attended four different schools, which meant repeatedly adapting to new environments. At times, I found it difficult to fit in and navigate school politics. As a result, I was bullied. I always tried to get on with it. Looking back, it did have an impact.
My early primary school years were spent at the school where my mum taught. It was familiar to me and I was provided with the help and support I needed.
My parents and I moved to Dubai in 2007 for my dad’s work. Joining a primary school for the final two years was hard. Friendships had already developed across the first four years. Slotting in had its complications.
I then had to go through it again. I joined a different school to the “feeder” school of the primary I had attended. I was not only catching up on a couple of years. I also faced fitting into an environment where six years’ worth of friendships had been forged. This was made easier because I loved the school I was at. I managed to make friends. Many of them still keep in touch with me today even though we now find ourselves scattered all over the world.
I moved back to the UK in 2014 to do my A Levels. Yes, you guessed it. This provided yet more adapting and ‘fitting in’. I found this change of schools the hardest. I was particularly settled. I loved the school I was at. I felt as if the five years I had in one place provided me with stability.
What those experiences taught me
The one thing my experiences at multiple schools, aside from the ‘fitting in’, have in common is my CP. At first, it didn’t seem like that ‘big of a deal’. Yet, it was always at the back of my mind. I was usually the only person with a physical disability. To some, it appeared I was just cracking on and getting on with it. I often started to believe this myself. Still, it was always something I silently dealt with. At the time, I didn’t fully communicate how it affected me.
I look back on my schooling life with pride and fondness. It shaped me as a person. I had to become strong-minded and thick-skinned. My ability to adapt to new situations was shaped firmly by my experiences at school.
