With a heavy heart, we share that our son is missing from school—not by choice, but because we, his parents, were forced out for advocating for the education and support he deserved, as outlined by Australian Federal Law. Our joyful child, who loved learning and his friends, has been expelled simply because we fought for his legal right to be included. He didn't choose to leave; he was removed because we stood up for his inclusion. Let this serve as a warning: any child could be next.

At the start of the year, the school accused us of causing teacher stress through our emails, but we were prepared with facts. Despite following the proper channels and advocating for our son's needs within the Disability Standards of Education, the school refused to provide the necessary adjustments. Instead of addressing the real issues, they focused on blaming us. In the end, our son's enrolment was cancelled—not because of his behaviour or ours, but because we stood up for his right to an inclusive education. This is our story of advocacy, injustice, and the emotional toll it has taken on our family.

In the last 12 months, several families in Toowoomba have faced heart-breaking rejection from schools unwilling to support their children with disabilities. As a parent and Inclusion Coach, I share our own experience and others, highlighting the systemic failures in education that leave families battling for basic human rights. It's time for schools to be held accountable!

After our son’s school cancelled his enrolment, we were devastated. However, this setback became a silver lining, allowing us to refocus on his independence and development. Through consistent support at home and therapy, we’re helping him master essential skills while challenging narrow-minded views of his disability. This is our journey toward rebuilding his confidence and advocating for true inclusion.

One principal's actions left me feeling broken and powerless. As a mother fighting for my child's rights, I faced blame, dismissal, and endless accusations. Instead of support, I was pushed aside, my advocacy for my child seen as a threat. This is the story of how a system failed us, and how one principal shattered my trust when all I wanted was what was best for my child.

When our son came home with a large bruise and told us his teacher "fell on him," we expected answers. What we got instead was a story full of half-truths and blame. The school claimed he had simply "tripped" and even went as far as to hold us responsible for asking them to place him at the front of the class—a decision made for his safety and needs. What’s worse, they dismissed our input, ignored our son’s pain threshold, and tried to cover up the real details. This wasn’t just a failure to communicate—it was a betrayal of trust that no parent should ever have to face.

No child should have to endure sitting in soaked clothes, neglected by the very people entrusted with their care. After just seven days in a Queensland State School, my son came home with a severe rash and a painful infection - completely avoidable if the school had followed basic adjustments. If this kind of neglect happened in any other setting, there would be immediate consequences. So why do our children face this kind of neglect without accountability? It’s time for our schools to change.