This night I woke up and one thought took over everything: my autistic son can't use the rights he has for getting the education he needs, because there's not enough place for kids like him in the educational system.
So he doesn't get professional support to prepare him for society and he doesn't get the education he needs.

In fact, children like him are treated very different in many places across the country here.

My child has to be subscribed to a school that has traumatised him as bad that he got depressed and burned out.
He's indicated for an auti-class, but there's no place.
People are not interested in his development.
We, as parents, are put under pressure and are told over and over again that if we don't comply to the wishes of the council and school we will be brought to court.

In other cities children like him are allowed to stay at home and parents are encouraged to take the steps they think are important for the development of their children. They live without unnecessary stress.

Today I came across the site of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.

The site is well worth your attention, because many children in this world, including in socall developed/western countries, are not respected in their rights.
We all have to become aware of that and we have to stand up to make governments aware of this.

The rights of the children are written ::here::.


Article 3
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.

In my opinion some statements are open for multiple interpretations.

"best interests" sounds great, but when I have to formulate the best interests of my autistic son, they're completely different from the list of the council. Just because they don't know him at all.

Ofcourse I find my answer a but further in article 3 sub 3:
3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or protection of children shall conform with the standards established by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number and suitability of their staff, as well as competent supervision.

But can I choose which authorities are competent?
NO!
They declare themselves competent.
That's why in Belgium and many countries homeschooling is a legal option and in The Netherlands it isn't.

Article 6 sub 2 is very interesting in our situation:
2. States Parties shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.

The current situation is that the maximum extent possible is limited by finances and by political decisions. More money towards auti-classes means my son can go to an auti-class and can get a better development.

Etc etc.

Maybe you recognise situations around you that are not beneficial to children.
A good chance that you'll find enough basic information in the Rights of the Child to protest at your local council.

I love beading.

As a child I had a board with sticks at school, and when we worked hard we had time to put beads on it.
My teacher gave me encouragement not to follow the samples, but to invent my own designs.
I loved it!

Later I used paper and pen, and again a few years later beads and thread.

From the corner f my eye I saw a site with a beaded pink ribbon.
It was lovely, and I wanted to find it again.

It´s just me that I haven´t found it back.
It´s probably sold to someone and i can only hope she´s enjoying it to bits.

But I´ve found a site which really impressed me.

Not as much the site itself, but the beaded items the people make to which the site refers.

Etsy Beadweavers is a place where beadsters are challenged each month with a special theme. For november: ancestral expressions, choosen by last months winner Deb.
I'm already looking forward to the little pieces of art which will enter the contest.

At the left is a tremendous list of links to the etsy sites of beading members, where you can find lots of earrings, bracelets, pendants, cufs and a lot more against a wide range of prices.

Whether you like a simple brooch as a little accent, or a piece of art to complement your outfit, you can find it.

So this is the first link I wanted to bring to your attention at Laane's Links.

Don't hesitate to contact me and bring some more interesting sites to my attention.