Be proud of your special schools
I AM writing to you in hope that you will print this letter and give people of Hillingdon a boost in these down days.
I moved to Cornwall from there three years ago, in hope of a better education for my children, both of whom are on the autistic spectrum. I hasten to add I was wrong.
Though I would not swap the people of Cornwall and a much friendlier, cleaner and better quality of life offered, schooling for special needs is horrendous. There is minimal provision and what is on offer is, in my opinion, not far short of a babysitting service in some secondary schools.
I was maybe expecting too much, I suppose. My son went to Hedgewood Special School in Hayes, and his teacher there, Janet Pipe, is an amazing lady and unlike any other teacher I have met.
The way I see it is that she sees the child and not the disability, so her programmes of work for the children are not book read, mass provision but individualised.
Not only that, she supports parents in understanding too. Hedgewood and Hillingdon are lucky to have her. I wish Cornwall did.
So, to get to the point, be proud of what Hillingdon has got to offer. It may not be perfect, nothing ever is, but I don’t think my son would be where he is now without Hedgewood headteacher John Goddard and his hard working staff.
CHRISTINE ALLEN
Barton Close
Penzance
HS2 had no answer on power needs
I DO not claim to be an expert in anything, but would like to think I have a modicum of common sense.
I attended the HS2 Ltd meeting at The Barn Hotel on Monday, December 3 in the hope of asking the ‘experts’ some questions about the electricity requirement of HS2.
Sadly, my query could not be answered. I was told I must wait until the spring.
What I had wanted to know was how many wind turbines would be required to supply electric power for one HS2 train to travel at top speed for one mile?
Finally, to imagine that any monetary compensation could ever make up for the eventual devastation of huge areas of our diminishing countryside would be laughable if not so utterly and tragically indefensible.
JEAN GUSTAVSON
Via email
Hip replacement was free of stress
I HAVE just returned home from hospital, where I underwent a full hip replacement.
I was somewhat apprehensive about going for surgery, after reading so much criticism of the NHS. However, I am very pleased to say that everything went like clockwork and I was back home inside three days.
The event was preceded by a half-day ‘joint school’, during which just about everything that was due to happen was explained in detail by the people who were going to do it. All necessary personal equipment required at home after the procedure was supplied on loan.
The operation took place in Mount Vernon Hospital, where the wards, food and facilities were excellent and the staff outstandingly caring. I can only say how fortunate residents of the borough of Hillingdon are to be able to call upon this wonderful unit at times of stress.
ALAN NOAD
Parkfield Road
Ickenham
Gossip can cause so much damage
I AM disgusted at the way rumours have spread insinuating the elderly woman hurt in a traffic collision had died when she was struck by a car in Hayes (Elderly woman critical after collision, Gazette, December 5).
I was the first one by the woman’s side and stayed with her until she was put in the ambulance to be transferred to the helicopter.
I have had people approach me saying she has passed away, and this has made me very angry and upset at the way people gossip and get the facts wrong.
I had a sleepless Monday night, re-living everything that had happened and questioning myself, hoping that I had done all that I could to help, and then to have people approach me and say that she’d died has been very upsetting.
I spoke with the police on Wednesday and they informed me of her injuries and that she was in fact doing as well as could be expected, which was a huge relief to me. I just wish people would have some thought and consideration when gossiping.
If her family or friends read this, please can you get in contact with me via the Gazette and let me know of her progress. Thank you.
CLAIRE ROSE
Via email
Collision woman’s condition improves – see page 2
Prevention is best cure for cancer
I READ the letter (More research needed on cancer, Letters, November 28) from Michelle Drummond, whose mother died from cancer.
There should be more highlighting of the causes. Researcher Edward Priestley found the causes of leukaemia and several other cancers include toxic chemicals and radiation.
Benzene is a proven cause of cancer and yet is widely used by industry. Mr Priestley contracted severe aplastic anaemia (bone marrow destruction) from workplace toxic chemicals, and doctors did not think he would survive, but by avoiding chemical causes, decades later his blood count is normal.
He has no ‘magic bullet’ cure, just commonsense information – visit his website, www.medicineandillness.com. Government regulators and industry need to do their part to produce a less-polluted environment. Preventing the disease in the first place would save so much suffering.
NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED
