General Chat

That's lovely Susan!! Wendy x

I have four boy's who do not have special needs but i work with children who do. one little girl didn't speak to anyone on our mini bus. her mom said she dosent speak much. over the weeks i talked to her but only got a yes or no from her. then christmas came and i didn't work with her for two weeks when i went to pick her up after the holiday, she came to the door and smiled and said your back she put her arms out for me to pick her up. it was the most touching moment i have had. Now we can't shut her up on the mini bus but we love it. i get the whole minibus singing. it really brightens my morning.

Natalie that makes perfect sense to me as all my childen also go Dutch at times and at times my wee Hollander goes all Italian too. I find that whilst enjoying what Holland has to offer and forgetting all about wanting to go to Italy that at times Italy comes to us. Shaz xx

I've been in Holland for nearly 40 years now, I've also been to Italy twice. I just wish Holland would provide the same facilities as Italy for their older inhabitants.

I'm very lucky to work in a school where Holland and Italy are both considered part of a united Europe. A place where the children from Holland can sometimes produce the finest Italian masterpieces, and the children from Italy can all 'go Dutch' from time to time!! Perhaps all children really come from 'Italand' or 'Holly'!!! Hope this makes sense! Natalie

Linda I agree with what you have said to Ian , I too joined groups to help me learn the ways of life in Holland and the language. Ian I hope where you are in Holland there is a support group for you to help you with the ways and language we have learnt. My Tulip has just come home and asked his usual question on returning home each day ' what's for tea Mother ' Love Jan xx

To Ian I do remember the loneliness and isolation when I first arrived in Holland, but join suuport groups and meet other parents who are in Holland because it makes the whole time in Holland easier, you are not alone Linda P

Thanks Wendy that is lovely. Holland has many wonderful tulips and some pretty good growers too. Love Jill xx

Wendy that is lovely could you e-mail it to me because my sons girlfriend teaches special needs children she loves them and they love her, her special sun beams as she calls them and I know she would love to share this with their parents. Thabk you Debs.

I have worked as a tour guide and have been there when parents first arrived in Holland. It sometimes takes a long time to show them around or for them to want to see what is there. Often they grieve for what they thought Italy would be and they miss that and find it hard to accept Holland. With careful guidance, help with the language and not rushing the tour, they and those in their party, soon learn to love, accept and enjoy Holland. Jacky x

I personally never went to Holland, but my sister in law did she came back with 2 sons, Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, they are sadly no longer with us!! but because of her Holland visit, and all the highs and lows, dark and bright days, I became a pupil escort! have been 10 years now and love it and all my SPECIAL children!!! Love to all you generous parents Val

Like Big Shaz, we started out in Italy with Susie and got re-directed to Holland ten years later. It's been tough at times and I'm sure there will other tough times but we love her and her sister, who's dyslexic just the same wherever we all are.

I started out in Italy but ended up in Holland and it aint such a bad place to be once you get the hang of it...... :-)) Shaz xx

ive just entered holland, its all new and strange at first everyone speaks a different language and you feel lonely but reading this makes you realise that you arent alone and how lucky we really are.

I ve seen that poem before and its a very interesting way of putting it, before we have children we all think they are going to be perfect or take after ourselves, I think along the lines that I was choosen to have my son(Aspergers/SEN etc) because i could give him the love,support,patience and stability that maybe someone else couldn t, maybe we are choosen to have these children(and I m not religous) well thats the way I look upon it. We all have good days and bad, some more than others, and its getting thru the bad days and enjoying the good.

I second that Wendy. Anne xx

Oh yes, Holland is at times almost unbearably difficult - but I wouldn't swap it for the world! Wendy x

Snoopy. That was a great poem. XX BC

Ann I must agree the tulips are beautiful in Holland Jan xx

I went to Holland 26 years ago, although I would'nt want to be anywhere else, l'd miss the beautiful tulips, l do every now and again wonder what my life would have been like had l gone to Italy Anne x