Springboard makes sense (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Springboard makes sense

15691/1As the Gazette's appeal for the Springboard pre-school gathers strength Zoe Mills speaks to another mother whose child's place is under threat

FOUR-year old Jack Ramsay was a confused and frightened little boy until he was given his life back by Springboard.

Since joining the special needs pre-school last January, Jack, who has autism and has a very limited vocabulary, has learnt to communicate via a remarkable visual communication system known as PECS.

Jack, who lives in Burton with his parents Jill and Michael and brother Adam, two, now carries a little book of pictures with him wherever he goes which allows him to share his wants and needs with his family. And it's all thanks to Springboard.

But the lovable little boy is another whose place at Springboard is under threat unless money can be found to save it.

His mum Jill said: "Can you imagine living in a world you can't make sense of and don't understand? That's what life is like for Jack.

"Without Springboard and the speech therapist I wouldn't be able to communicate with my little boy. I can't tell you what that means to me."

Mr and Mrs Ramsay thought Jack was a normal healthy baby until doctors noticed his speech wasn't developing as it should. He was diagnosed last July.

"A paediatrician referred us to Springboard to evaluate him, and a speech therapist finally confirmed our fears that he has autistic spectrum disorder," said Mrs Ramsay.

"To think for two years you've got a normal child and then to suddenly be told he's got a disability for life that doesn't have a cure is pretty earth shattering.

"All I knew about autism was from the film Rain Man. I can't watch it now. I'm still reeling but I don't think I'll ever get over it. I'm so sad for my son."

Jack, an affectionate, boisterous lad, lives in another world. The triad of disabilities autistic children suffer from are language problems, lack of imagination and difficulties with social interaction.

"Basically the social part of his brain has got its wires crossed," said Mrs Ramsay. "He can't process language and thinks visually. That's why PECS is such a lifesaver."

Mrs Ramsay explained that Jack survived on his daily routine. "Structure is of paramount importance to Jack," she said. "He's not flexible on anything. If something happens unexpectedly then he can become confused and distressed and is hard to manage."

Mrs Ramsay said thanks to Springboard, family life with Jack was a lot more bearable.

"I've seen a real change in him and he gets the one-to-one attention he needs at Springboard," she said. "With the right structured education hopefully he will reach his full potential.

"The staff at Springboard have so much patience and understanding. I always think that to do a job like that you've got to really care and they do."

Appeal total rises to £5,000

THE GAZETTE'S Springboard Appeal has reached another milestone this week we've now raised £5,000.

Jane Cross, leader of the special needs pre-school, said she was absolutely delighted.

"It is a fantastic achievement after five weeks," said Mrs Cross.

"The readers and local community have almost funded two-and-a-half places so far.

"We keep receiving new referrals so there are plenty more children out there needing a place. Thanks to the local community I feel confident we will be able to provide them."

It is vital that Springboard raises as much money as possible. So how can you help? You could think about holding a fundraising event of your own anything from a coffee morning to a car boot sale.

Also, donations can be made at any branch of HSBC. To make a donation, just fill in the form below left and send it to: Springboard Opportunity Group, Frogwell, Chippenham, SN14 0DH.