Re: Senate Hearing and Senator Dan :<)

August 21, 2008

Is it possible for you to give a " Cliff Notes version " --

My computer tech guy is still asleep (my son) and I can't get it to play....

M. Guppy

My autism journey isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning

to dance in the rain....

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to compromise.

We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should live in one. We

cannot debate who should get an inclusive education. Everyone should. We

cannot determine who does and who does not get the right to make their own

choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

Subject: Senate Hearing and Senator Dan :<)

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 10:11 AM

http://www.senate. state.tx. us/avarchive/

Real Player video

You can get to the wonderful discussion by Senator Dan around

2 hour 54 minutes (17 minutes long debate)

You can use play drag bar to get to the specific exchange between

Senator , Advocacy Inc and the lawyer Borreca.

It is a wonderful debate by Senator with Advocacy Inc

and Private law firm attorney Borreca from Bracewell and

Giuliani (My opinion of him is edited for this listserve). The

conversation runs for about 17 minutes, ends around 3 hour 11 minutes.

The Senate video archive date is August 18th, 2008

Click on the hyperlink for August 18th Senate Committee for Education

This is a Senator who greatly cares for Special Education families in

Texas :>)

August 21, 2008

Hi ,

Cliff Notes version ... maybe Hilda Bowen can help us out ... Laugh

out loud

I could not do justice to the exchange by this wonderful Senator who

cares a great deal for our families. I hope your computer tech guy

wakes up soon .... big smile

Mark

>

> Subject: Senate Hearing and Senator Dan

:<)

> To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

> Date: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 10:11 AM

>

> http://www.senate. state.tx. us/avarchive/

> Real Player video

> You can get to the wonderful discussion by Senator Dan

around

> 2 hour 54 minutes (17 minutes long debate)

> You can use play drag bar to get to the specific exchange between

> Senator , Advocacy Inc and the lawyer Borreca.

>

> It is a wonderful debate by Senator with Advocacy Inc

> and Private law firm attorney Borreca from Bracewell

and

> Giuliani (My opinion of him is edited for this listserve). The

> conversation runs for about 17 minutes, ends around 3 hour 11

minutes.

>

> The Senate video archive date is August 18th, 2008

> Click on the hyperlink for August 18th Senate Committee for

Education

>

> This is a Senator who greatly cares for Special Education families

in

> Texas :>)

>

August 21, 2008

,

I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just about

dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking about as

sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting someone)

about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers and school

district administrators, should be able to decide what is best for their own

children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really shocked at

how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can make it

work.

nna

August 21, 2008

Oh please everyone --- if someone is THAT for us, please - everyone, send

Senator Dan a THANK YOU -- no matter if he is your Senator or not!

Please - let's not let this good deed go un-noticed!

Call, fax, e-mail, whatever -- a thank you to him!

http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist7/dist7.htm

If you cannot do that -- type up a thank you in a word document and e-mail it to

me at MGuppy@... and I will print them out and mail them in a

package to him!!

Sincerely,

Guppy

M. Guppy

My autism journey isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning

to dance in the rain....

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to compromise.

We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should live in one. We

cannot debate who should get an inclusive education. Everyone should. We

cannot determine who does and who does not get the right to make their own

choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

Subject: Re: Senate Hearing and Senator Dan :<)

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 2:02 PM

,

I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just about

dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking about as

sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting someone)

about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers and school

district administrators, should be able to decide what is best for their own

children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really shocked at

how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can make it

work.

nna

August 21, 2008

Hi . How so I get on the " Daily Digest " list ? I can't keep up with

the hundreds of emails I get from the Texas-Autism-Advocacy group but I don't

want to miss the valuable information the good members offer all the time, the

timely events and news emails or the website links for further information.

Thanks,

Amy

From: mark colditz <markdebctx (DOT) rr.com>

Subject: [Texas-Autism- Advocacy] Senate Hearing and Senator Dan :<)

To: Texas-Autism- Advocacy@ yahoogroups. com

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 10:11 AM

http://www.senate. state.tx. us/avarchive/

Real Player video

You can get to the wonderful discussion by Senator Dan around

2 hour 54 minutes (17 minutes long debate)

You can use play drag bar to get to the specific exchange between

Senator , Advocacy Inc and the lawyer Borreca.

It is a wonderful debate by Senator with Advocacy Inc

and Private law firm attorney Borreca from Bracewell and

Giuliani (My opinion of him is edited for this listserve). The

conversation runs for about 17 minutes, ends around 3 hour 11 minutes.

The Senate video archive date is August 18th, 2008

Click on the hyperlink for August 18th Senate Committee for Education

This is a Senator who greatly cares for Special Education families in

Texas :>)

August 21, 2008

I'm going to be transcribing the testimony up soon. I can prioritize this

area and do this first.

Probably won't happen until tomorrow or the weekend. Of course, if I can't

sleep tonight....

Hilda

In a message dated 8/21/2008 11:09:30 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

markdebc@... writes:

Hi ,

Cliff Notes version ... maybe Hilda Bowen can help us out ... Laugh

out loud

I could not do justice to the exchange by this wonderful Senator who

cares a great deal for our families. I hope your computer tech guy

wakes up soon .... big smile

Mark

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

August 21, 2008

If anybody is interested, I have the beginning part where Florence Shapiro

rips into TEA.

That was very pleasurable to listen to.

Hilda

In a message dated 8/21/2008 11:09:30 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

markdebc@... writes:

Hi ,

Cliff Notes version ... maybe Hilda Bowen can help us out ... Laugh

out loud

I could not do justice to the exchange by this wonderful Senator who

cares a great deal for our families. I hope your computer tech guy

wakes up soon .... big smile

Mark

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

August 21, 2008

Are you all being sarcastic or is this true.???

I am sorry that I don't have the time to listen to an audio right now, my

only help with the housekeeping quit just about the time I hired a girl to

train her to do therapy for my son, while my older son started his HS

(downtown) and basketball practice (looking for some sympathy here), and I

am swamped.

However, I am all for parents rights in educating their children and like to

do my part in making my voice heard. I will send my own thank you as well.

Re: Senate Hearing and Senator Dan

:<)

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Date: Thursday, August 21, 2008, 2:02 PM

,

I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just about

dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking about as

sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting someone)

about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers and school

district administrators, should be able to decide what is best for their own

children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really shocked at

how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can make it

work.

nna

August 21, 2008

Please understand that each person is entitled to their opinion of

what they witnessed, so with that in m ind, here is my opinion.

I was at senate education hearing, and I thought Senator 's

treated Jeff from Advocacy Inc. badly because Advocacy Inc.

did not support vouchers and were mainly concentrating on public

school reform for special education. Jeff provided excellent

suggestions and even Senator Shapiro thanked him for all the

solutions he provided and said they were good ideas.

I thought Senator patrick was over the top, a tad dramatic.

Nagla

(ducking under the table now, so you can start firing)

>

> ,

>

> I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just

about

> dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking

about as

> sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

someone)

> about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers and

school

> district administrators, should be able to decide what is best for

their own

> children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

shocked at

> how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can

make it

> work.

>

> nna

>

August 21, 2008

Did you say vouchers???? oooooooo...I am definitely sending my thank you

,,

(ducking as well)

Re: Senate Hearing and Senator Dan

:<)

> Please understand that each person is entitled to their opinion of

> what they witnessed, so with that in m ind, here is my opinion.

> I was at senate education hearing, and I thought Senator 's

> treated Jeff from Advocacy Inc. badly because Advocacy Inc.

> did not support vouchers and were mainly concentrating on public

> school reform for special education. Jeff provided excellent

> suggestions and even Senator Shapiro thanked him for all the

> solutions he provided and said they were good ideas.

>

> I thought Senator patrick was over the top, a tad dramatic.

>

> Nagla

> (ducking under the table now, so you can start firing)

>

>>

>> ,

>>

>> I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just

> about

>> dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking

> about as

>> sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

> someone)

>> about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers and

> school

>> district administrators, should be able to decide what is best for

> their own

>> children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

> shocked at

>> how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can

> make it

>> work.

>>

>> nna

>>

August 21, 2008

No need to duck , I certainly respect your choice and can

understand why. It's important that we can agree to disagree and be

adult about it and continue to respect everyone and treat them with

dignity.

Nagla

> >>

> >> ,

> >>

> >> I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just

> > about

> >> dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking

> > about as

> >> sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

> > someone)

> >> about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers

and

> > school

> >> district administrators, should be able to decide what is best

for

> > their own

> >> children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

> > shocked at

> >> how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can

> > make it

> >> work.

> >>

> >> nna

> >>

August 21, 2008

I was at the last hearing to give testimony and, unfortunately, could not attend

this past one. However, Senator at the last committee hearing engaged

in dialogue with both Gene Lenz and Clayton as well as ISD personnel from

San that reflected an utter lack of understanding of our children's

needs and issues. At the last hearing, it was Senators Van de Putte and

Zaffirini alone who really ripped into these two TEA big whigs about their

failures and their inability to live up to their obligations. Senator

Zaffirini, in particular, asked tough questions and did not let them skirt

issues.

Of course, when time allows --- I will have to see the diaglogue that ensued at

this week's hearing. IMO, however, it was Senators Zaffirini, Van de Putte and

Shapiro alone that demonstrated any knowledge of the real issues that plague our

children and truly interested in solutions that will help all children in

school.

Re: Senate Hearing and Senator Dan :<)

Please understand that each person is entitled to their opinion of

what they witnessed, so with that in m ind, here is my opinion.

I was at senate education hearing, and I thought Senator 's

treated Jeff from Advocacy Inc. badly because Advocacy Inc.

did not support vouchers and were mainly concentrating on public

school reform for special education. Jeff provided excellent

suggestions and even Senator Shapiro thanked him for all the

solutions he provided and said they were good ideas.

I thought Senator patrick was over the top, a tad dramatic.

Nagla

(ducking under the table now, so you can start firing)

>

> ,

>

> I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just

about

> dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking

about as

> sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

someone)

> about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers and

school

> district administrators, should be able to decide what is best for

their own

> children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

shocked at

> how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can

make it

> work.

>

> nna

>

August 21, 2008

Nagla:

Can I ask you though how you feel about what he said about parents should

decide what is best for their child and not committees, school districts, etc.?

I thought that was a good point. Just the thought (remove it from a

scholarship versus no scholarship issue). I don't agree with this trend of

sticking my child in a classroom with other kids with special needs and provide

the

teacher no training and expect them to do applied behavioral analysis right

(when the ARD committee agrees to do that, as was in my case). Conroe ISD had

GREAT autism classrooms. Every parent whose child was in there WANTED to be

there. And they made a decision without any ARD committee deciding -- no

more autism classrooms. Everyone goes back to their home campus or near to

their home campus as possible and we'll just tell you that nothing will change.

We had 70 very irate parents in this district and many of those children are

doing horribly, they've regressed horribly, and they are just tired of

fighting. I can understand that, too.

That NELI conference I attended in the spring, that attorney named Buechler

(?) said at the very end, " Remember, that EVERY teacher in EVERY classroom

is doing ABA. " Ah, no. And I heard this same line being thrown at me during

an ARD meeting. I don't like this new trend either where they are refusing

to recognize a physician's or outside evaluation diagnoses and say, " Nah, we

don't agree and therefore we are going to provide nothing. "

I thought Advocacy Inc had some good things to say, but I did not like what

else they were saying and I remember asking to myself, " Who's side are you

on? " Or " What reality do you live in? " When an agency who takes federal funds

turns down parents to help who really need it, or tells them because they

aren't in their target group, they can't take their case (oh yes, someone from

that agency said that), I question their mission statement. Yes, I do

understand that their numbers are few, but don't tell me there is a perception

of

us versus them (school districts) that is just being perceived by us, the

parents, and don't tell me that schools want to resolve things; they would

prefer

our kids just leave so they don't have to be accountable for them anymore.

Leave as in drop-out, homeschool, move to another area, let it be someone

else's problem, etc. It sounds like Advocacy Inc is very out of touch with

what

is truly happening, or someone is getting too buddy-buddy with the schools'

parasite attorneys. So I think we need people like Senator Shapiro and

Senator and less people like Senator West who walks out during public

testimony and doesn't care what the families are going through. Senator West

did

his fair share of posturing in that committee meeting, too, when he

admonished TEA about writing a law that made it look like vouchers for

drop-outs was

okay, I found out from a reporter that he was just posturing and well, let me

just copy what he said to me:

Please, oh, please, don't let senators fool you with their rhetoric.

Sen. West accuses the Texas Education Agency of sneaking vouchers into a

bill, as you point out.

But there's something he's not saying. The Senate has the Senate Research

Center, which is responsible for doing research on what a proposed bill will

do. The center provides an analysis on all legislation.

If he has a complaint, he ought to take it up with the taxpayer-funded

research center. Why didn't the center catch it?

The center should take the blame.

The Texas House has a similar research center.

So I learned something new.

Hilda

In a message dated 8/21/2008 6:28:46 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

nagla_alvin@... writes:

No need to duck , I certainly respect your choice and can

understand why. It's important that we can agree to disagree and be

adult about it and continue to respect everyone and treat them with

dignity.

Nagla

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

August 21, 2008

I avoided due process by having an incredibly tight case against the school

district; that was the only way they paid for 8 months at a private school for

an " extended functional behavioral assessment. " They didn't do it because

it was right. I had proof that he had a 81% loss in skills because they

didn't train their teachers in proper ABA techniques as agreed upon by the ARD

committees. And well, I had the principal on tape trying to extort me of my

rights by telling me that if I continued to want to talk about our private IEE

on the record, they would withdraw the offer. They didn't like that I had

that either. You have to sometimes drop to their incredible cesspool of filth

in order to level the playing field. And don't you think for one minute that

the rest of the night I didn't feel like throwing up for having to even use

the tape or mention that I had it. My child was educationally raped. That

is not dramatic. All you have to do is watch the Fox 26 story to see how

badly his education was forcibly taken from him.

He spoke for me, as well, Mark, from what I've heard through others posts.

Hilda

In a message dated 8/21/2008 10:36:07 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

markdebc@... writes:

He was wonderful and not dramatic if you are one of the families who

have suffered in Due Process.

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

August 21, 2008

Yes , that was an enjoyable part. Clayton let Gene Lenz take

most of the heat, he did most of the speaking and answered most of

the questions, she had nothing much to add. Senator Shapiro was very

specific in her questions and demonstrated very good knowledge of how

TEA have let things slide and how there was not much data on

outcomes, how TEA was in violation of federal law.

Nagla

>

> If anybody is interested, I have the beginning part where Florence

Shapiro

> rips into TEA.

>

> That was very pleasurable to listen to.

>

> Hilda

>

> In a message dated 8/21/2008 11:09:30 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

> markdebc@... writes:

>

> Hi ,

>

> Cliff Notes version ... maybe Hilda Bowen can help us out ...

Laugh

> out loud

>

> I could not do justice to the exchange by this wonderful Senator

who

> cares a great deal for our families. I hope your computer tech guy

> wakes up soon .... big smile

>

> Mark

>

> **************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find

your travel

> deal here.

> (http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

>

August 21, 2008

---

Darn it--wish I was there, perhaps next time--thank you all for your

individualized thoughts and sharing them candidly.

Candy

In Texas-Autism-Advocacy , " mark colditz "

wrote:

>

> http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/

> Real Player video

> You can get to the wonderful discussion by Senator Dan

around

> 2 hour 54 minutes (17 minutes long debate)

> You can use play drag bar to get to the specific exchange between

> Senator , Advocacy Inc and the lawyer Borreca.

>

> It is a wonderful debate by Senator with Advocacy Inc

> and Private law firm attorney Borreca from Bracewell

and

> Giuliani (My opinion of him is edited for this listserve). The

> conversation runs for about 17 minutes, ends around 3 hour 11

minutes.

>

> The Senate video archive date is August 18th, 2008

> Click on the hyperlink for August 18th Senate Committee for

Education

>

> This is a Senator who greatly cares for Special Education families

in

> Texas :>)

>

August 21, 2008

I am very interested in hearing this!

Lesli

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Re: Re: Senate Hearing and Senator Dan

:<)

If anybody is interested, I have the beginning part where Florence Shapiro

rips into TEA.

That was very pleasurable to listen to.

Hilda

In a message dated 8/21/2008 11:09:30 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

markdebc@... writes:

Hi ,

Cliff Notes version ... maybe Hilda Bowen can help us out ... Laugh

out loud

I could not do justice to the exchange by this wonderful Senator who

cares a great deal for our families. I hope your computer tech guy

wakes up soon .... big smile

Mark

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

August 21, 2008

Senator was extremely polite and debated

professionally and with all due respect.

Let me say that he also spoke with compassion and that is just a

wonderful thing. When he said " We are talking about a life, not a

rule, not a lawyer, but a life " .... I was deeply moved.

When he said who should make the decision about the child's right and

said it should be a " committee " ... I guarantee you

that he spoke for me. No committee determines my child's right ....

I am his father and I will defend his right.

I am deeply thankful for his courage and resolve to help those

families that have suffered from Due Process.

As for Borreca from Bracewell and Giuliani, he does it for

profit. He litigates against our families. No Special Need family

in Texas should be litigated against for trying to find a better

solution for their child. This is an abusive and repressive system.

> > >>

> > >> ,

> > >>

> > >> I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I

just

> > > about

> > >> dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was

talking

> > > about as

> > >> sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

> > > someone)

> > >> about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not

lawyers

> and

> > > school

> > >> district administrators, should be able to decide what is best

> for

> > > their own

> > >> children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

> > > shocked at

> > >> how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you

can

> > > make it

> > >> work.

> > >>

> > >> nna

> > >>

August 21, 2008

He was wonderful and not dramatic if you are one of the families who

have suffered in Due Process.

> >

> > ,

> >

> > I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just

> about

> > dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking

> about as

> > sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

> someone)

> > about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers

and

> school

> > district administrators, should be able to decide what is best

for

> their own

> > children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

> shocked at

> > how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can

> make it

> > work.

> >

> > nna

> >

August 21, 2008

I thought Senator 's treated Jeff from Advocacy Inc.

badly ...

Show me at any point where he treated him badly? I am astonished

that you could say this.

Mark

> >

> > ,

> >

> > I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just

> about

> > dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking

> about as

> > sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

> someone)

> > about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers

and

> school

> > district administrators, should be able to decide what is best

for

> their own

> > children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

> shocked at

> > how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can

> make it

> > work.

> >

> > nna

> >

August 21, 2008

If you are saying got whooped " badly " , then I will

agree.

Senator clearly wins the debate for substance, position,

truth and compassion.

Mark

> > >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I

just

> > about

> > > dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was

talking

> > about as

> > > sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

> > someone)

> > > about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers

> and

> > school

> > > district administrators, should be able to decide what is best

> for

> > their own

> > > children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

> > shocked at

> > > how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you

can

> > make it

> > > work.

> > >

> > > nna

> > >

August 21, 2008

If you listen to Senator at 2 hours 58 min 27 seconds (approx)

you will hear that he has a staff member dealing with ASD.

http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/

You can slide the play bar to a point close to this time for the Real

Player video

August 18th, Senate Committee on Education

Senator clearly " demonstrated ... knowledge of the real

issues " and an incredible amount of compassion for our families.

> >

> > ,

> >

> > I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I just

> about

> > dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was talking

> about as

> > sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

> someone)

> > about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers

and

> school

> > district administrators, should be able to decide what is best

for

> their own

> > children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

> shocked at

> > how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you can

> make it

> > work.

> >

> > nna

> >

August 21, 2008

His staff ... 12 years he has known this family ... public schools

failed ... $12000 dollars a year for a private school ... I think

this would be considered knowledge of ASD in a profound and personal

way.

If you listen to Senator at 2 hours 58 min 27 seconds (approx)

you will hear that he has a staff member dealing with ASD.

http://www.senate.state.tx.us/avarchive/

You can slide the play bar to a point close to this time for the Real

Player video

August 18th, Senate Committee on Education

> > >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > I listened to/watched the hearing via computer yesterday. I

just

> > about

> > > dropped my teeth listening to the Senator BERATE (he was

talking

> > about as

> > > sternly and loudly as one can without reaching over and hitting

> > someone)

> > > about how PARENTS, not schools, not ARD committees, not lawyers

> and

> > school

> > > district administrators, should be able to decide what is best

> for

> > their own

> > > children. He really raked both men over the coals. I was really

> > shocked at

> > > how passionate he was. It is definitely worth a listen if you

can

> > make it

> > > work.

> > >

> > > nna

> > >

August 22, 2008

I agree Hilda -- what district were you in where that happened? I feel a

" Ground Hog Day " movie parallel with you!

I agree -- Senator Dan was right on the money and I cannot believe that

I actually heard someone standing up and advocating for my son in the face of

such opposition.

It is absolutely heartbreaking what parents have to go through, and I admire

any Senator or Representative or Policymaker who would dare to stand up against

school lawyers, school unions, etc., - for the rights of our children with

disabilities in the public schools -- to level the playing field in any way.

I admit I was against vouchers, thinking the ONLY way was to change the system

for EVERYONE. But the more I have experienced, the more I know in my heart that

I cannot and will not stand in the way of a parent who has a choice. With the

new insurance law, many now have the opportunity to have some of those private

schools covered by insurance either partially or fully. For the remainder of

what insurance might not pay -- that voucher or scholarship would most likely

help make up the out-of-pocket expense. And I am not going to be the one to

look that mom in the eye and say no, because that won't help me, I'll prevent it

from helping you, and most importantly, your child.

I just cannot do that....

I'll support what will help her, - and continue to advocate for what is needed

to help my son too!

Sincerely,

M. Guppy

My autism journey isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning

to dance in the rain....

Texas Autism Advocacy: www.TexasAutismAdvocacy.org

" There are some aspects of a person's life that we have no right to compromise.

We cannot negotiate the size of an institution. No one should live in one. We

cannot debate who should get an inclusive education. Everyone should. We

cannot determine who does and who does not get the right to make their own

choices and forge their own futures. All must. "

Subject: Re: Re: Senate Hearing and Senator Dan

:<)

To: Texas-Autism-Advocacy

Date: Friday, August 22, 2008, 12:42 AM