‘We feel disgusted, it’s like she doesn't matter’

PARENTS DEVASTATED THEIR TERMINALLY ILL DAUGHTER HAS BEEN REFUSED A PLACE IN PREFERRED SPECIAL SCHOOL - AS IT COSTS TOO MUCH

- By KRISTY DAWSON

Michael Cosgrove and Sapphire Elgie from Wallsend with their daughter Delta-Rae, 5, who has a rare brain condition

A TERMINALLY ill five-year-old girl has been refused a place in her preferred special school as it costs too much. Sapphire Elgie, 28, and Michael Cosgrove, 34, from Wallsend, were devastated to learn that their daughter Delta-Rae had a life-limiting brain disorder.

As a result of the condition, which is called mitochondrial disease, Delta-Rae is unable to sit up, crawl, walk or eat. She is also nonverbal and has a form of epilepsy which affects her brain.

Her parents have been trying to improve her quality of life by getting her into a suitable special school and a house which is adapted for her needs. However they say they have had an ongoing battle with North Tyneside Council over both education and housing.

The local authority has told Sapphire and Michael that they are not willing to fund a place for Delta-Rae at Percy Hedley School in Forest Hall - the only school where she is comfortable - as it will cost too much. They said it would not be an “efficient use of their resources”.

They have offered her a place at Beacon Hill School in Wallsend, where her parents say Delta-Rae was not comfortable, as it is around £20,000 cheaper to fund.

Sapphire, who is also mum to Lyla, 12, said: “We feel disgusted, it's like she doesn’t matter. Other children are being given the chance but our daughter doesn’t deserve it. I don’t feel like they are listening to the parents of SEND children - who don’t have a voice.

“We know what is best for our children. Any chance that we have to give our daughter a brighter life was through this school.”

Michael, who was in the Army for eight years and now works as a lorry driver, said: “I told them I would pay the difference. If I could pay for it myself I would pay for it myself”