AT just four years old, little Eilish Cowan and her campaign for fairer funding for disabled children has gone all the way to the Scottish Parliament.
The Dunfermline toddler is one of around 200 children in the world with the rare genetic abnormality, TUBA1A.
She struggles to walk, is visually impaired and has learning difficulties but that hasn't stopped her fronting the ‘Our Kids Won’t Wait’ campaign which has already made great strides by uniting political rivals.
Her dad, Lawrence, said: “My daughter and disabled children like her deserve every opportunity to be loved and belong just like everyone else."
He launched the campiagn in June with the aim of persuading the Scottish Government to introduce a fairer funding deal for charities, such as Fife-based The Yard, which supports families with disabled children.
It works with children and young people aged up to 25 with additional support needs through adventure play sessions in Edinburgh, Dundee and Kirkcaldy and little Eilish has been attending since last year.
Her campaign was debated at Holyrood on Tuesday after it captured the attention of the nation's politicians.
MSPs came together to sign a letter calling for action while almost 2,000 people have signed an online petition urging the First Minister to rethink the decision to roll forward the Children and Young People Early Intervention Fund (CYPEIF) - which was based on a funding level set seven years ago.
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Campaigners say the move is “short-changing” charities which have needed to grow significantly to meet demand.
Lawrence continued: “Time and again parents with disabled children have to fight or wait for the support we need.
"This funding decision means The Yard cannot grow to meet demand. It effectively means that disabled children and parents are missing out on vital support, yet again.
“Our kids won’t wait any longer. The First Minister says his priorities are tackling poverty and improving childcare.
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"Charities like The Yard are essential services, delivering both these priorities for some of the most vulnerable children in Scotland.
"We need to see a fairer funding approach.”
Claire Baker, Labour MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, secured the public debate in the Scottish Parliament.
Speaking before the debate, she commented: “I have heard first-hand how much support and enjoyment Eilish gains from attending The Yard and want to ensure this continues for her and other children with disabilities.
"My debate is an opportunity for the minister and the Scottish Government to listen to how valuable charities like The Yard are for families and to hear their plea for funding to continue and expand their work.”
Celine Sinclair, the CEO of The Yard, added: “The Yard is well placed to support the Scottish Government in effectively achieving its key priorities of tackling poverty and childcare.
"Disabled children and their families face multiple barriers to inclusion and are simply not getting a fair deal.
"The Yard directly supports over 2,300 children and young people from 16 different local authorities.
"By rolling forward our grant without adjustment, our funding has in effect dropped from £163 per family annually to only £39 per family.
"By reversing this decision and reinstating funding levels in real terms, Scottish Government will be supporting some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and giving them the chance to flourish.”
You can find out more about The Yard by visiting their website. To sign their petition, click here.
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