1. Jane Holmes: Feeling the pinch but setting Kitty free

There has been a lot of publicity about government cuts, particularly how they affect the vulnerable, which of course includes disabled children.

2. Jane Holmes: A stranger choice for respite care?

This week we return to the age-old subject of respite. Respite is something that families need, not something they want.

3. Jane Holmes: Powered wheelchair the key to freedom if you can drive it

If you have a child who can't walk, of course it's hard with all the lifting you have to do.

4. Jane Holmes: Welcome to the world of disability

I would like to take this opportunity to enlighten the world about parents of disabled children.

Yes, it is exhausting work from time to time.

5. When life depends on a plastic tube

My daughter is tube fed.  She has never eaten or drunk anything by mouth and never will.  Her swallow is unsafe and totally unco-ordinated. 

6. Don't abuse the little help disabled people get

Abuse of disabled parking bays hit the national news last week.  Abuse of a disabled bay at Asda in Lower Earley no less.  

7. I haven't stopped dancing

The thing that people always want to know is what happened to my daughter to make her so disabled.

8. Anger, worrry, pain - but riches too

My daughter, like lots of disabled children who I have met, has the drive and determination of an Olympic athlete.

9. When simply going to the loo can be pants

My daughter, despite the severity of her disability, uses the loo. She has a specially adapted seat but needs to be lifted on to it by a strong adult. She is able to indicate when she needs to go, but she is not able to wait as long as the rest of us, so you need to be fairly quick.

10. No workers' rights for carers

If I could ask the service providers who have anything to do with disabled children one thing, it would be to not make us have to chase them up.