Thanks again for the support

[Guest guest]

I again want to thank everyone who replied to my post for help. I had

my big long cry yeaterday. I cry because I get so angry and have

nothing to punch! Then I start fcontacting people and learning. And

then I realize that the party isn't over until the fat lady sings. (My

son would be looking for the singing fat lady if I said this to him,

and he would be saying, " Well, where is she? "

I don't see her now either. We are not defeated, and we shall forge

ahead.

I spoke with advocay inc. and they siad they would be delighted to give

parents a seminar on advocating for their children for free. We have

got to get educated and start helping one another as parent advocates.

Very few of us can afford to pay an advocate. If enough parents show

interest, then I will start looking for a central location to hold the

seminar.

I am ready to be proactive rather than reactive. Though I do plan to

see an educational attorney on Monday for a consult thanks to my mom

donating that for her grandson.

My husband and I have an appointment on Tuesday to so and see this

program they want to bus him to and hear about their view on how

appropriate they feel it is for them.

Please know that I am not all against my son's district. They are

slowly implementing changes. The sad sad point is that I do not

beleive any of those changes would have occurred without involving

advocacy Incorporated. I know this because I met with the pricipal and

diagnostician before continuing to decide to involve them and at that

meeting what I walked away with for my son was that when he got sick

they woudl send worksheets home with the neighbor's grandchild.

I have to give them some credit for beginning to try. I still beleive

it is all about the money, and I think it is still too easy for

districts to redirect funds -- there are just too many ways to skim. I

feel this way because I asked to see the books in September of last

year and was put off until March of this year. I am not accusing them

I am just saying that I feel that this information should be able to be

viewed by parents any time they wish on a website.

I perosnally think the law should include that all districts and coops

have a special needs advisory comittees made up of special ed teachers

therapists, and most of all parents.

I am agianst coops as I feel our children should have the right to

remain at their home campuses if they so choose. I feel anything less

than this is the new discrimination. They raise extra funds for the NT

kids right and left for extra things. Allow the special needs parents

to raise funds for the extras that will benefit these children.

, you mentined that we need to start a fund to pay for advocay

help and we do! Let's start talking aobut it, and se what we can do.

I would like to have a " Think Tank " dinner here at our farm. I am a

gourmet Italian cook. I can accept ten more places at the table. I

know we live out in the boon docks, but if anyone would like to come

and discuss some topics and have a great meal, let me know. I have an

ararena behind my house so that if there is someone who would like to

come but has childcare issues, we might also be able to provide

childcare. Two teenage girls have been helping me with my son since he

was very young. Anyone interested?

Thanks so much for the support of this group. You guys are my lifeline

when things seem bleak.

Shygirl