Just before we were leaving hospital they told us that she had had a grade one bleed. They said that it could be nothing, or there could be problems with her spinal development and her co-ordination. After that we didn’t hear anything until a check at eleven months – and two weeks before her first birthday, she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

We found out about Conductive Education when my Nan heard an advert on the radio. Obviously we were desperate for help and more information, but the first time we came it was so encouraging and pleasing to have found someone who could understand and who could suggest things.

At the beginning she couldn’t sit up or anything— everything we were learning was new. Lauren settled into a routine and it was nice to meet people to chat to and to make friends. You feel so out on a limb when you are in this situation.

She moved into the early intervention group when she was three. I was happy – it was what I wanted. The staff really want to help the children here, they want them to be as independent as possible – which is what I want for Lauren too. They have an understanding of them so often lacking elsewhere.

She began in the school group a year ago. And she’s is so proud to bring home her little case with her words and letters in. She loves it. And I don’t bat an eyelid when she gets in the taxi.

Physically she is improving too. Her drinking and her eating are getting better all the time. That is what is so good about NICE. They continue with the physical as well as the educational and that is vital –and they make it fun, with the singing and involving the toys. Learning never seems a chore.

With Lauren coming to NICE from such an early age it’s as if Conductive Education is inbred in us. We take it home and we make sure she does things like eats her dinner herself, when it might be easier and quicker to help her. With conductive education I know she will be as independent as possible because they teach her those important life-skills she wouldn’t get anywhere else. And for us it’s been a life-line, it really has.

Julie, Mum