9 September 2006
So Proud!!
Today Dom made me so proud to have him as a son 
As some of you may know, he has ADHD and has caused me plenty of heartache and stress over recent years.
On Monday 4th September he started a one week LiFE Course with the London Fire Brigade.
I wasn’t sure he’d complete the week, especially as he hasn’t even managed to attend more than a couple of hours education in the past year, but yesterday was his “Passing Out” ceremony!!
The week started with 14 young people taking part in the course and ended with just 9 completing it. During the week they had to learn how to use the hoses, climb ladders safely, rescue ‘people’, use breathing apparatus in a pitch black, smoke filled building and become part of a team. each achievement was recognised with a certificate which made a collection of them and put into a portfolio, which they can use as references when applying for jobs (it’ll even help them get into the Fire Service if they want to do that).
Yesterday was the final day and parents, carers, friends and local dignitaries were invited to watch the young people put on a display of what they’d learnt during the week and to watch them being presented with their portfoilios and a lovely framed photo of the whole team and the LiFE Trainers (fire fighters who volunteer on their days off to help these kids) posing in front of a fire engine.
Here are a few photos from the day…
Roll call at the start of the display.
Dom (the one not wearing a helmet) and others watching kids vs firemen in a ‘hose race’
The fire engine ‘arriving at a shout’. Dom is sat in the back.
Dom climbing a ladder to do a ‘rescue’.
Dom rescuing a ‘victim’ from a ‘fire’.
Dom helping to take the ‘victim’ to the first aid post.
End of ‘duty’ roll call.
Getting into postion ready for presentations.
Dom receiving his portfolio & framed photo from his LiFE Trainer, Chris.
Clutching his portfolio and photo, so proud of himself, he’s finally achieved something good
The wonderful guys who gave up their free time to help these kids.
Well done son, I’m so very, very proud of you!!