Nepean Special School to hold first deb ball for senior students
It’s a rite of passage for most teens, but for those with a disability, participating in a deb ball has often been all too hard. Now, a group of parents at a Seaford school has given students a chance to have the night of their lives.
South East
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Dressed in white, with her hair up and smile wide, Kira could be any teen prepping for a deb ball.
But it was a moment her mum Ria Batten never thought she would share with her daughter.
Kira, 16, has cerebral palsy and autism. She is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair.
“One of the many sad realities for parents and carers raising a child with a disability, is that usually kids like ours miss out on many of the basic rites of passage that other teens take for granted,” Ms Batten said.
“The hard truth is that kids with special needs rarely get the opportunity to do their deb, especially those in wheelchairs and with physical disabilities.”
After three senior students at Nepean Special School tragically died in 2018, Ms Batten decided “enough was enough”.
“Their deaths were a harsh reminder of how short the lives of kids with special needs can be and that we have to cherish every moment we have with them,” Ms Batten said.
“We wanted them to have the chance to dress up and have their hair and make up done and dance with their friends.”
Ms Batten joined with other parents to make that dream a reality for their children.
On Thursday, September 12, 18 young men and women will be presented to their community.
Chloe, Aaron, Nick, Tay Neisha, Amelia, Hayley B, Jackson, Kayla, Victoria, Montana, Kira, Connor, Giaan, Ethan, Harry, Michael, Hayley M and Adam will be partnered by siblings, parents, carers or fellow students for the event.
One of the debutantes, Hayley M, does not have special needs, but has chosen to take part in the Seaford school’s deb because “that’s where she spends so much of her time,” Ms Batten said.
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“Her mum is on our committee and works at the school.”
Ms Batten, who is a dance and drama teacher at another school, has choreographed individual dances for each couple to suit their abilities.
“We’ve been rehearsing for 10 weeks,” she said.
Kira will be partnered by brother Geordie, 13.
“It’s nice to be able to do something like this together,” he said.
“Kira looks so pretty. She could be a model.”
Kira will wear the same dress Ms Batten wore for her deb.
“I’ve been waiting 30 years for this,” Ms Batten said.
“When I bought the dress for my own deb I imagined one day my daughter would wear it.”
The ball will be held at Amberlee Receptions in Cranbourne.