Hello, my name is Jade. I am 10 and in grade 4. I was born with cerebal palsy. Cerebal palsy is a disability that effects the part of my brain that controls my legs and my muscles. I am in a wheelchair because of that. Sometimes I go on a treadmill. It is not only good exercise for me, but it also helps me to learn to walk on my own.
Recently, I went to Parliament House with my mum because of my physiotherapist. My physio looked at a speech that I gave at school last year. I wrote this speech because we had a day set aside to learn about disabilities and what it was like to live with a physical disability.
I went to Parliament House for a community meeting. It was so children could understand what it is like to be in a wheelchair or live with a disability. We have a few Commissioner meetings a year. It is so children can tell the Commissioner about their worries, like bullying. Did you know that there are 2 Commissioner regional groups, one for 8-12 year olds and one for 12-17 year olds? The Tasmanian Commissioner’s name is Mark Morrissey. The organiser is Janet Banks.
Inside Parliament House there is green carpet in one room, and red carpet in another. The different carpets represent what each room is for.
When we arrived at Parliament House we were met by a man that showed us around and talked to us about Parliament House. The first place we went to on our tour of Parliament house was the basement. The basement was cold and dark.
We had a chance to share some thoughts and ideas with the Commissioner. Some students with disabilities talked about bullying at school. Others talked about finding people in disabled parking spots when they didn’t need to be there.
I said that I was worried about young students walking to and from school on their own. I travel to school on a very busy road and I see children crossing in places that aren’t safe. I think that young students should have a parent or carer with them when they are walking to and from school.
Here are some photos from my big day. I hope you like them.
Bye for now,
Jade.