Helping disabled children

Many families with disabled children struggle to make ends meet.

If you're in that situation there are some things you can do to help:

• Life can be more expensive and difficult if you use a wheelchair so remind your parents that the government do offer schemes to help. It's worth checking out their website to find out about extra help: http://www.direct.gov.uk/disabledpeople

• If you feel isolated and would like to meet other teenagers in a similar situation there charities that organise fun things for you to do and a chance to make more friends. Check out the kidz zone at Whizz-Kidz they run a few events that you might want to join: http://www.whizz-kidz.org.uk

• If you can't get into your local cinema or shop because the access is bad then remember that there is a new law is in place to make sure you are not excluded from a building. Ask your parent or carer about the Disability Discrimination Act, it was created to protect disabled people from being unfairly left out.

• Remember you shouldn't feel excluded from anything because you have a disability, so if you are unhappy about anything at school then talk to your parents

• Be independent it's important for you to learn new skills at home and at school

• You can achieve anything you want so go for it - using a wheelchair didn't stop Tanni Grey Thompson or Ade Adeptian from achieving their dreams!