Hi everyone,

Here is the link to the article in The Age today. Whilst it is good it covers how SR is - she missed out all the steps to get help that I gave (I guess I am not an expert so they have to be careful?). I also gave the link to this forum but they didn't print it. Don't like the heading either!!
But - it is a good start. The more articles we have about SR the better.
Linda
http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/school-hell-no-i-just-wont-go-20120210-1sjld.html

Hi everyone again,

The actual article in the Real paper - not on-line appears longer and there is also another article by a student now at university who suffered from SR from year 7-9. He is now enjoying his course. Seems it was only his mother being diagnosed with cancer that jolted him into being able to force himself to get through Year 10 but he said the group of friends he made were also crucial to his recovery.
I can't find a link to that part of the article on-line. The whole article covers the whole of the right hand page of the newspaper with really big heading. That actually is very impressive. Never seen coverage like this at all before!
Hope you can get some idea from the on-line version.
Linda

Article in The Age by ex School Refuser now at university.
This was the story that appeared with the other two accounts (mine and Phenella).

http://www.theage.com.au/national/education/i-felt-anxious-all-the-time-20120211-1svok.html

linda,

That's great - well done. The more publicity, the better..

Sophy

Absolutely brilliant - well done xx

Well done Linda for helping to eduvcate and inform people about this traumatic problem.

Hi Linda,
Well done!! Great to see SR being highlighted in this way ! Making more people aware improves the understanding of our kids all the more !!
What did your son have to say about the final article??
Take care,
love Lindy x

Thanks everyone - hope others get a chance to read it too.
My son hasn't wanted to read it yet but was impressed with the fact that it took up most of the page. It was also a feature in two other major Australian newspapers in Brisbane and Sydney - so quite a widespread article that will hopefully educate a few!!
THere were unfortunately, only two letters of response and they were from those who are homeschooling. One person wants me to get in touch with them as they would like to suggest I try homeschooling as they have never looked back since. Much as I'd love to - I can't really home school as he does need to socialise more than just meeting up with homeschoolers sometimes during the week. I also don't think he'd do the work for me.

We had a bit of a blip week this week with him not able to face two of the days. But he went again today and came home fine. I felt those old nerves coming back...worrying each night about whether it would happen next morning or not!
It has been wonderful to start the year off so positive so I am hoping that just having some blips are all that happens!

All his teachers have now been informed and I have now had two report backs from the Year level coordinator giving me an update on how he is going at the school end. The support is really good and such a contrast to the Primary School where we were left on our own and put in the 'too hard basket'.

Have a good weekend everyone!
Linda