Well… it’s been an interesting 48 hours.
Hi everybody,
My Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp accounts were all permanently disabled after unauthorised activity appeared on my Facebook account (from Vietnam), shortly after I created a separate page for Austin’s petition.
I appealed, but ultimately I’ve lost years of social media history and I’m starting again.
It’s disappointing, but at the end of the day, history is history. What I don’t want to lose is the connection particularly at a time when life with Austin can already feel quite isolating.
So, if we were connected before, please find me again:
Facebook: Naomi Butterss
Instagram: Naomi Butterss
And now, to the much more important update about our Austin.
Following the South East Region’s letter stating that there is no departmental record of incidents involving Austin beyond two damaged lunchboxes over recent years, I formally asked the Department of Education’s Central Office to take over his case.
That was a week ago.
I received an automated acknowledgement, but still no substantive human response. I followed up again yesterday.
Meanwhile, every weekday that passes is another day Austin misses school. We are now at 60+ days of lost education for him.
I will not send him back into an environment that cannot currently guarantee the consistent, appropriately trained support he needs to be safe, supported and treated with dignity.
We remain in a holding pattern while we wait for the Department to act.
And there is some wonderful news:
More than 350 people have now signed Austin’s petition. ❤️
That tells me that hundreds of people understand what we are asking for: consistent access to a specifically trained aide who can support Austin at school, while also freeing existing school resources to support other children.
Thank you for signing, sharing, reconnecting with me and most importantly, standing with Austin. I know everyone has their own challenges, and I’m so grateful that so many of you have still taken the time to support Austin. I hope one day I can return that same kindness and support to others.
Please continue to share.
Love,
Austin’s mum 💕