For Kirsty Shepherd, free school meals can be an “incredible lifeline” for parents of disabled child (Image: Contact)
For Kirsty Shepherd, free school meals can be an “incredible lifeline” for parents of disabled children, especially with the rising cost-of-living.
The mother-of-three is a full-time carer to her 13-year-old son, Tyler, who has autism and struggles with his mental health as a result.
Tyler will have been out of school for five years in March this year due to the complications linked to his diagnosis, including Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder which means he has a very limited diet.
Her two younger children are eligible for free school meals and they get free school meal vouchers during the holidays, but Tyler does not as he is off school.
Kirsty, 34, who used to run her own business booking musicians into venues, said: “This really highlights the disability discrimination that is happening on a daily basis.
“A small bit of free school meals funding can be an incredible lifeline for people in my situation, even more so with the cost-of-living crisis.
“I’m a full-time carer to my son who is at home 24/7. I did not choose for him to be out of school or to give up my career, yet I am made to feel worthless when I asked for vouchers to replace his free school meals he cannot access.
“Instead of the vouchers, I was offered a food bank. I don’t want a food bank; I would like my son to be provided with what he is entitled to.
“Even if I was to accept help from a food bank it wouldn’t actually help, as my son wouldn’t eat any of it.”
Kirsty ran her own business, booking musicians into venues. It was a demanding job, but one which she loved and was devastated to give up.
When Tyler first stopped attending school, Kirsty kept him registered and during lockdown he was eligible for the free school meal vouchers.
He has been registered with the Education Other Than In School (EOTAS) provision, which is funded by the local authority for children and young people who, for whatever reason, cannot attend school, since September 2022 but has received no support towards his free school meals entitlement.
