Passport Blues

Applying for a passport doesn’t rank too high on the fun scale. When your child defiantly sprawls herself on the floor while an official drawls on about the sluggishness of her computer, you need a stiff vodka. Hey, here’s an idea: Alcohol dispensers at government offices. Okay, that might be irresponsible. How about Xanax? We

Shaina’s voice

On my right sat an inspiring young tennis champion and, next to him, a nervous young mother. Well over a hundred people had arrived to listen to us despite the chilly Sydney night. The event’s organiser welcomed the crowd and began to introduce me as the first speaker. My mind focused on one thought, “How

The Genius of Mr O.

How do you send your child to school with an oxygen compressor without turning her into a freak show? When I bundled Shaina, her machine and 18m of tubing into the car this morning, I was concerned. Would the noise of her oxygen contraption scare her little classmates? Would she throw a tantrum when she’d

An exceptional school

Shaina heaved on her pink backpack, donned her sunnies (“glackes”, as she calls them) and marched to the car. No matter how many times I’ve done it, first day of school gives me butterflies. Taking Shaina to school that morning brought a whole new set of nerves. After the team from Feuerstein met Shaina in