My Continuing Fight to Go To School

I am delighted that I have been able to go to school several days this week because a nurse has been made available to go with me.  I love going to school and get very sad if I can't go, especially when I can't go just because there is no nurse.


Mum and others have been battling to try and improve the situation so that I can always go when I am well.  Lots of people have rallied around to help me.  Sadly the people who can really control the situation, the big bosses at NHS Lothian don't seem to understand the problem at all.  They seem to think it doesn't matter if I go to school or not.  They seem to think different rules apply for children like me and we are not allowed to do the things others take for granted. They have even suggested that there is no reason why my mum should take me to school instead of a nurse.  I wonder what they would say if someone suggested they should go to their son or daughter's school to teach if the teacher is off sick for several weeks in a row.


I hoping the problem will be sorted soon.  It is not long till I start High School and missing that would be a real disaster, as I wouldn't be able to keep up with my school work at all.


Some of you may have seen the short movie "Adam's Fight to Go to School - The Movie" telling how I took a letter I had written to the new CEO at NHS Lothian.  He hasn't sent me a reply, by the way.  Here is a second movie in the same series.  This tells of some of my achievements - what I can achieve given the chance.  All I want is to be able to go to school like other boys and girls my age.


Click on this link to view my latest film:-
http://youtu.be/it_KQEkpqAI

Adam Explores Burke & Hare's Edinburgh

My class has been doing a project on Old Edinburgh, so I decided to make a film about Burke and Hare, Edinburgh's worse killers.


I read about Burke and Hare on-line and found out lots about them.  I then went to some of the places in Edinburgh associated with them, such as the medical school they sold the bodies to and even the place they hid some of the bodies.


I filmed some of the scenes. You can tell which as these are the wobbly bits, as my wheelchair is not very smooth and it is difficult for me to hold the camera. Mum filmed other scenes for me.  I told her what I wanted to film, where she should stand to film it and when to start and when to stop the camera. I therefore acted as the Director and Mum was the camerawoman.


Once home, Mum showed me different styles of film on iMovie and I choose a "Film Noir" style because I thought this fitted in best with the Burke and Hare's story.  I wrote to words and choose which pictures and film should go with which scenes.  I like the final film and hope my teacher and others will to.


You can watch my film from this link, enjoy!

http://youtu.be/KInDfG3UxXQ

(c) Adam Bojelian 2012

Adam's Fight To Go School - The Movie

My fight to be able to attend school every day continues.  I took matters into my own hands and penned a letter to the new CEO of NHS Lothian yesterday, in the hope that he will act.  Here is the story of visit to his office.  I am now waiting for his reply..........

Let Child X Go To School

Playwright Sandra Webster has written this short play based on me and my fight to be allowed to attend school, for the National Theatre of Scotland's Five Minute Theatre.  Thanks you Sandra, Linz the lead actor, all the other actors and the National Theatre of Scotland.  It is sad that the play is needed, but I am flattered to have such a moving and brilliant play written about me.


Click here to watch the play:- Let Child X Go To School

Opps I've done it again!

I was very excited earlier in the year to hear that I had been nominated and then shortlisted for the Sunday Mail, Young Scot, Arts Award, for my poetry writing.


Mum, Dad and I arrived early for the awards ceremony at the Glasgow Hilton last Thursday.  The invite said to "dress to impress" and I did my best, with my waistcoat and cravat.  Although I'm only 12, I am a bit of an awards ceremony veteran and the Young Scot Awards was the most impressive one I've been to yet.  The organisers did us proud, the room looked magnificent with the literally brilliant table decorations and everything went like clockwork.  Everyone on my table was really friendly and all of them were rooting for me.


I wasn't expecting to win, the competition was very stiff.  I was up against some very impressive finalists, all much older than me. Toni James, 26, from Paisley is an accomplished pianist who has played at the Carnegie Hall in New York and the  British Embassy in Oslo.  The other Arts finalist was Shetland Young Promoters Group, a group of 14-18 year olds who stage music events.  I was therefore really excited and surprised when I was announced as the winner of the Arts award.  Young Scot Awards made a short film about me, which you can link to here  I didn't notice on the night, as I was on my way up to the stage with mum  so had my back to the audience, but according the the write up in the Sunday Mail last Sunday, the audience gave me a standing ovation. I was overwhelmed to learn that.


It was a real honour to be a prize winner and along with the other finalists to show the world what young people in Scotland can achieve with the right support.
I'd like to congratulate all the other finalists and winners, especially the winner of the overall Young Scot of Year award Erin McNeill, who looked stunning in tartan.
I would also like to thank Norma Curran from Values into Action for nominating me and for the cast of thousands, including mum and dad for giving me all the help and support I need to achieve and excel.


I'm really looking forward to taking my award into school to show my classmates, I know they were all rooting for me and will be as excited as me that I have won. I haven't been able to get into school lately.  It is a long story and for another day.  I hope me getting this award has shown lots of people that supporting me is worthwhile and despite all the challenges I face I can contribute just as much as other boys and girls my age to Scotland.  Thank you Sunday Mail and Young Scot for giving me this wonderful opportunity and a night I will always remember.