Please Help Little Connor! Such a special boy

Connor is a beautiful 9 year old boy with a heart of cold - Since Connor was 6 years old he has struggled with schooling despite working so hard, he has unfortunately been bullied for struggling and has been so frustrated with having no explanation to why his efforts have not showed in his school work. Connor is a Cadet at St John and has been for many years, he plays basketball for his school. Connor is the most wonderful and caring child I have met - Everyone else will always come first to Connor.

Connor was recently tested for Dyslexia and this diagnosis has now been given. Connor is very happy even at his young age in his words to know 'I'm not just dumb' and that there is a reason why he has been struggling all of these years. Unfortunately Connors parents have endless medical costs with their eldest son who has multiple needs and these have had to come first, both boys also desperately need braces for their teeth.

Both Connors parents work full-time his mother a Registered Nurse and his Father in Retail, despite all there hard work the cost of the treatment required to support Connor with his Dyslexia is not able to be met and there is absolutely not funding that can be accessed. No one should have to choose which treatment is prioritized for 2 children, however as we know this does have to happen and is the case in this situation.

From the Davis Dyslexia Corrections Program Coordinator

"The key to Connor's learning will be focus (being able to tell when something gets him off focus and then having the ability to re-focus and deal with the 'trigger') and also mastering the trigger words (abstract words that he doesn't have a picture for). That will make a significant difference to his reading, writing skills and following instructions in class. We will also work on strategies to help him translate the stories and pictures in his head into written format and use brainstorm activities to ensure that he can follow the correct sequence (so his writing has a beginning, middle and an end). He will still need to work, but using the Davis tools and techniques he will see success for the time and effort he is putting in, while it is very much hit-and-miss at the moment. He will also need to model the trigger words (abstract words like is / was / also / about etc); I will start the modelling off here with him, but that is something that you will need to continue at home as those abstract words make up 75% of our language....."

The cost of this program is $2900 which includes 30 hours of one on one facilitation, a student kit, follow up after the program completion and ongoing support to the family and school to support what Connor will learn. Connors mum/ dad will also have to take 5 days off work so that Connor can travel out of town to complete the program and associated costs with this travel.

It is very sad that there is no funding for treatment for this condition for Connor. He has a wonderful hardworking family and is such an amazing wee boy. Please please lets come together as a community to help this boy thrive and potentially change the course of his life