So what we been up to?

Special Needs Swim Camp at Newpark Pool in Blackrock

Every year Newpark offer 1-1 swimming lessons every day for a number of weeks in the summer.

Boo is extremely water confident, thanks to daily swimming in the Glenview . However, he lacks technique as you can see in this picture - this is his "swimming" pose.
Every day for the last 2 weeks a young man called Stephen has been trying to get Boo to stop kicking like a paddle steamer and move across (as opposed to under) the water. 2 more weeks to go. There are places available in Week 4 - click on the Newpark link VERY QUICKLY, to book.

Coffee with Autie Mummy Friends - that's Michelle and Claire

As you may know I run a facebook network for parents and carers of kids with autism. We are there for each other at all the odd times that folks like me might get a chance to chat, and since we cover a few timezones and continents - this means all the time.

Going for an actual coffee (or 4) with some of these wonderful ladies was a real treat. So nice to relax and share some of our feelings about being a special mama. Like; how annoying normal people can be, and how much we have learned from each other over the years.

As for my "Summer of Hammie" - well I have been busy fighting a change to the Social Welfare Payment for Carers here in Ireland.

Rather than being honest and cutting the rate in the wake of our economic woes; the government have been moving around the goal posts and re-defining eligibility for parents of kids with more nebulous sensory and developmental issues - like umm, Autism.

Press play to hear my interview on Newstalk Radio. If this issue affects you please go to the work blog or join the facebook group. At times like this we really need friends.

xx