Mum fears school bus changes devastating to son

Charlie Way, 11, is unhappy about the proposed changes to the school buses

The mother of a Tauranga schoolboy fears his quality of life will be deeply affected if the proposed school bus changes force children on to public buses.

Charlie Way, 11, is enjoying his first taste of freedom. Recently started college, one of the highlights of the day for him is going alone without mum to and from school on the bus.

He enjoys this newfound independence alongside his school mates.

For Charlie the bus is a symbol of independence, as last month he had to finally succumb to being in a wheelchair after years of fighting against it.

Charlie Way, 11, recently confined to a wheelchair, is not happy about the proposed changes to school buses. Photo George Novak

The year 7 Aquinas College boy has a rare degenerative condition called Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which means from birth his muscles have been wasting so he gradually loses his strength including his ability to walk. It affects one in 3000 boys.

Mother Jodi Way says being able to travel on the school bus has been invaluable to Charlie in managing his transition to a wheelchair.

I want him to remain independent and have fought for that all his life

Jodi Way

"Having to be in a wheelchair is a huge thing for anyone ... he was very nervous about it if it would make him feel like he was sticking out. It was a very emotional time for the whole family. I want him to remain independent and have fought for that all his life. He goes to a mainstream school. I am determined he will have a life like any other kid."

Way said that the school bus company had gone out of its way to accommodate Charlie,

"They even got a different bus so not only does it fit the chair but he can fit in seats and face forward. The bus driver is the same every day which gives great peace of mind to me, she is his bus mummy."

Charlie Way, 11 is not happy about the proposed change to the school buses

For the first week, the manager of the bus company met the boys at the stop to make sure Charlie was happy with everything and asked if they could do anything better.

"That really helped my boy build his confidence. I am so grateful for the kindness of these school bus people going out of their way."

Each morning Charlie and his 13-year-old brother Sam make their way to the bus stop by themselves which Way says is not only important for independence but practically means she can continue her job as a registered oral surgical nurse.

All this is under threat if her children would have to get a public bus,

"I wouldn't feel safe with Charlie going each morning on a different bus ... they wouldn't wait as they have schedules and other people might be impatient. The boys would have to cross busy roads, and who knows, even change buses on their own."

Jodi Way fears her son's quality of life will be affected if the proposed changes to school buses go through

Simon Neate, transport marketing adviser Bay of Plenty Regional Council said in a written response that all Bayhopper Tauranga urban buses were wheelchair-accessible with super-low floors and ramps, and that drivers were familiar with supporting those who require special needs access.

But Charlie's mum feels there would be nobody regular to look out for Charlie.

"There wouldn't be the same nurturing of the same driver, for him, for all the kids. His mates wouldn't be there to help him."

He would be devastated if he couldn't go on the bus and so would I.

Jodi Way

Neate added that Charlie might also be eligible for Ministry of Education travel assistance.

Way said it was not a matter of funding or travel assistance but that going on the school bus was part of normal life for Charlie.

"I would have to get a special vehicle and drive him. He would hate that ... he has so much other stuff to deal with in life, all he wants is to be able to do what other kids do. I don't want him to feel isolated. He would be devastated if he couldn't go on a school bus and so would I."

Neate said that the current proposal reflected "a school-led solution that works for the school, their students, parents, caregivers, ratepayers and taxpayers."

He said it was most likely that changes would now occur slightly later, from the start of 2019.

Way feels all school children should have the right to be safe going to and from school.

"It is not just Charlie, I wouldn't want Sam either to be going alone, changing buses.

It doesn't make sense. We need to know that they are safe.

Jodi Way

"It doesn't make sense. We need to know they are safe".