HoegaardenA little over a year ago, Flanders got to know Senn Luckermans (4). Cerebral palsy at a very young age confined the toddler to a wheelchair. But Senn is a bright boy who likes going to school just like his peers. Inclusion is great, but Senn cannot do it without a supervisor. Now that his new supervisor has canceled at the last minute, the question arises: who will fill the most heartwarming vacancy in Flanders?
Mum Elke Janssens (38) is speaking. “Senn is actually a normal toddler who, five months after his birth, had the misfortune to have suffered brain damage from a virus.” As a result, Senn can hardly work independently. Fortunately, the family can rely on the PAB: the personal assistance budget. “A lottery ticket, because the demand is much greater than the supply,” says Elke. “But it does ensure that we can employ a supervisor for Senn with that budget.” Its purpose is to support the burden of the family. “So that we can go to work, or relax once in a while.” That too.
Until recently, this allowed the parents to hire two supervisors for Senn. They not only devote themselves to care at home, but also accompany the toddler at and to school. Because Senn goes to an ordinary kindergarten in Neervelp five half days a week. This cannot be done without guidance. “We had two supervisors who took turns,” says Elke. “In December, one of them dropped out, with notice until the end of January.” The family searched and found a replacement from February. Until the news came last Friday. “She canceled at the last minute. Next week the other permanent supervisor can help out now and then, but afterwards we are really in trouble. If it doesn’t click, let us know. Presenting ourselves now with a fait accompli puts us in troublesome papers. We were really touched by that, and so was Senn. ”
Inclusion
Senn really likes going to school. “The other kids love him too. This week, Senn got three friends’ booklets to take home to fill in,” laughs Elke. Playing together is also good. “Just like other toddlers, Senn likes to play with cars. Then he points out what he wants to play with, and the other toddlers put the car in his hand. Or they drive laps with him on the playground.” Senn may have difficulty speaking, but he can make himself understood without any problem. “It’s so nice to see how the other kids understand him.”
It’s so intimate. It’s much more than a typical employer-employee relationship, you really build a bond with our son
Although inclusive education requires extra effort from parents and supervisors, it was clear for Elke to go for that option. “They also advised us to do that at the type 4 school in Leuven, because Senn is mentally strong. Moreover, I think that society will never be completely inclusive if we keep putting children with disabilities in separate boxes. In Europe we are champions of that. Type1, 2, 3, 4. Until those children end up in the adult world and realize that it is completely different. William Boeva worded it well. Inclusion is such a buzzword, but people with disabilities have completely missed that train. Probably because they don’t get on it with their wheelchair.”
immediate responses
Elke posted a vacancy text on social media, which, miraculously, immediately received a lot of response. “That’s the power of social media, isn’t it? Meanwhile, six candidates have already registered, much more than last time. Maybe that has to do with my text?” Good news, but no guarantee. After all, the supervisor should not only click with the parents, but also with Senn himself. “It’s so intimate. It’s much more than a typical employer-employee relationship: you really bond with our son. But I also understand that potential candidates are looking for other opportunities. After all, we have to do it with a limited budget.” Senn’s satchel is in any case ready for tomorrow. He is looking forward to going back to school.
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