*Princess monkey pants*

For the past few years I have been a volunteer reader and writer for children with special needs sitting their exams.

It has to be one of the most rewarding things I have ever done :)

Over this year and last I have developed a strong bond with one of these children ,I shouldn't call her a child she is 18 now and we are sitting for her trial HSC at the moment (eeeck, HSC it gives me a head ache just thinking about it)

You see I was one of the unfortunate ones that fell through the cracks of public education in the 80's.

I had (have) a learing disorder of some kind (I think its dyslexia) so I struggled through school.

I passed most subjects but feel I could have done more if given the proper help.

Enough about me and on to the real star of this story :) Princess MONKEY PANTS!

Princess Monkey pants is amazing she was diagnosed about 3 years ago (yes she 2 fell between the cracks, sigh) with Aspergers (one of the Autism Spectrum Disorders) so for most of her school life princess monkey pants struggled to find peace and acceptance.

She still does (sigh, BIG sigh) she is such a kind, sweet, caring person that would do anything for you if you asked.

Princess Monkey pants is also one of the brightest most intelligent people I have ever met, unfortunately her anxiety gets the better of her and that can make life (especially exam time) really, really hard!!

The last time we spoke about the REAL HSC she was very stressed as some of her exams are going to run way past normal school hours and I would not be able to do them with her because I need to look after MY children.

I feel very privileged that she feels so very comfortable with me :)

People with Aspergers find it hard to relate to others so for Princess Monkey pants to feel comfortable with me and just get on with her work is truly amazing.

So I discussed this with my husband and we both agreed that I would arrange for OUR children to be picked up from school and baby sat for the days I will be sitting the REAL HSC with Princess Monkey pants.

All though I'm sure to get a few meltdowns and sleepless night because MY children also have Aspergers and don't like change.

I feel it's a small price to pay :) knowing I made a difference to this young womans life is the best gift anyone could give me :)

I DON'T get paid but I don't care!!

The feeling I get knowing that I am the reason this lovely person is not only going complete her exams but do it stress free and pass with fling colours, get into uni, study her subject of choice and have the fabulous career she deserves is the only payment I need :) :)

So if you are reading this blog and can give up a few hours of your time each year.

I encourage you to go to your local high school and ask them if they need any volunteers to do reading or writing (or some times both) you will feel great and the student will be better for it :)

If you are thinking "oh I can't do that MY spelling is horrid" don't worry about it as I said I have a learning disorder and I am here.

And the students don't lose marks for your spelling or grammatical errors they only get marked on the content.

You don't have to interoperate what you are reading you just read the text and the question and away they go.

Sometimes I can't even pronounce the names or scientific words so I just point to it and they laugh at me, tell me what it is and we keep going (lol).

I think this actually helps them stay calm because there is no judgment coming from me and I urge them and tell them theres NO WAY I could sit these exams" and its true OMGosh its true.

So please go volunteer ,it has changed my life and if I have helped at least one child go through their exams stress free and able to actually finish the exams than I'm a happy woman :)

I think of my children and I see how hard it is for them and they are only little.

Imagine what it's like sitting a major exam and being so stressed out you can't think or not being able to understand what you are reading, all it takes is a kind person to give up their time to read a few papers.

So again please, please go help the next generation of amazing people become the person they want to be :) believe me its worth it :)

(Well done Princess monkey pants :) you did great today :) see you on friday )