That’s what the Danks family of Winmalee faces when their eldest child Jacob starts kindergarten next week at St Thomas Aquinas Primary School in Springwood.

Jacob has cerebral palsy and has undergone years of intensive therapy to enable him to join his peers on their first day at school.

For Jacob’s mum Tara, the transition to ‘big school’ will be a bitter-sweet moment.

“I am feeling the same as any other parent whose child is making the transition to school,” she said. “I am so excited for Jacob but also a bit apprehensive as I know he will face many additional challenges along the way.

“When I think of everything Jacob has achieved in his five short years, including undergoing constant therapy and medical intervention to enable him to communicate and interact alongside his friends, I feel extremely proud.”

Jacob was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was a toddler. He uses a walker to help him walk long distances, and is also hearing impaired.

He is one of hundreds of children around the state with cerebral palsy who are about to take on the challenge of starting kindergarten.

On average, there would be at least one child with CP in every medium-sized primary school around the country. Cerebral palsy affects one in 400 Australian kids, making it the most common physical disability in childhood.

Gabriel Pinter, who runs Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s Conductive Education Program, said many long hours are spent making sure pre-school aged children with cerebral palsy are physically and emotionally ready for school.

“Everyday physical activities that other children take for granted like eating, going to the toilet, communicating, and sitting and moving around, can be extremely difficult for children with cerebral palsy,” Gabriel said.

“It is so rewarding to see children participate in our conductive education program and finally reach the point where they are confident enough physically to start at mainstream schools with their siblings and peers.”