Re: High School with stairs

[Guest guest]

,

This breaks my heart that these kids have to deal with this. Your concerns

are valid. I don't know where you live, but sounds like it''s time to call the

6 o'clock news & have the consumer advocate reporter do a piece on the

shortcomings of this school regarding handicapped access. Put the school board

pres & even the mayor on the hot seat. Then got an ADA expert lawyer on there to

give a brief interview, explaining federal law. Do the same with the local

newspaper. Your kids might not like all the publicity, you'd have to ask them

about that. I feel they are blowing you off because you are ONE voice, but your

kids deserve better than this. Plus these schools get FEDERAL funds for all

types of programs, would their funding get cut off if they were not in

compliance? You are not asking for much, just for your kids to have immediate

and full access to the elevators.

Jeanne

[Guest guest]

Thank Jeanne

Today went much better for .

The Principal had a meeting with all security and showed them my kids

pictures and gave them the schedules so they can meet each kid at the elevators.

Poor can't figure out what elevator or when to be there. lol

Adam stayed home today. Yesterday was just to much for him.

He's talking about staying home tomorrow. I took him to the doctor and he

has a stress headache. Imagine that!

[Guest guest]

The US dept of Education has an office of civil rights - the monitor schools

adherence to accessibility law. They helped make major changes to my

non-compliant graduate department & college.

[Guest guest]

,

Do your kids AFOs have ankle joints? The one pair I had without ankle joints was

really bad for going down stairs not that bad for going up but bad for going

down stairs, I felt like I was gonna fall. I got AFOs with ankle joints and it

was totally different. I don't have that much of a problem with stairs anymore.

Talk to your dr about ankle joints if your kids AFOs don't have them. I bet this

would help them.

Bob

[Guest guest]

,

I'm glad the second day was better for . I'm sure she will get her

bearings soon. I wish the best for Adam. I went thru years of school problems

with my youngest son. If that saying " what doesn't kill you makes you stronger "

is true, I should be ready for some Iron Woman Triathlon!! Sending POSITIVE

thoughts to you, Adam and .

>

[Guest guest]

Ankle joints on AFOs have to with each individuals ability to lift and lower the

ball of their feet not the availability of elevators.

If a person has been prescribed AFOs without ankle joints it isn't because they

don't want to climb stairs.

This post could be very helpful on a different topic altogether. A topic such

as " which AFOs should you discuss with a certified orthopedist, " or, " why hinged

AFOs work well for me. "

This topic addresses accommodations and accessibility in school systems.

________________________________

From: robert cockerham <robert30@...>

Sent: Wednesday, August 12, 2009 10:09:41 AM

Subject: Re: High School with stairs

,

Do your kids AFOs have ankle joints? The one pair I had without ankle joints was

really bad for going down stairs not that bad for going up but bad for going

down stairs, I felt like I was gonna fall. I got AFOs with ankle joints and it

was totally different. I don't have that much of a problem with stairs anymore.

Talk to your dr about ankle joints if your kids AFOs don't have them. I bet this

would help them.

Bob

[Guest guest]

Hi there ,

When I was in school, there were many kids who needed the elevators.All of them

had their own key to them. In case of any emergency,the guards,and everyone else

in authority are not going to be avaliable to the kids. They will be dealing

with the situation,that's just how it works. Your kids have to have their own

keys. That is thge only way that they,and you know that they will be able to get

where they need to go,when they need to. Good luck!

Angie

[Guest guest]

Our middle school has stairs but all the kids that need it get a key to go up

and down as needed. You might want to check into this possibility.

Lori

[Guest guest]

The school where I went did not have an elevator it was an old school that was

built pre ADA days so I had to use the stairs.

There are gonna be places where an elevator is not gonna be available in spite

of all of the plans and guidelines that the government might have.

What I was posting about is the fact that some Drs don't realize what its like

to walk in AFOs. If you or your kid is about to get AFOs you should ask your dr

about them and how they will be made. There are several ankle joints made that

will give toe lift where drop foot is a problem. Having an ankle joint will make

all of the difference in the world when it comes to stairs. Also there are well

made and poorly made AFOs.

Some orthotists make them way too thick which makes finding shoes to wear almost

impossible. The newer space age materials like carbon and graphite make thinner

stronger aAFOs. Talk to your dr and your orthotist and get the best AFOs that

will work for you.

Bob

[Guest guest]

They don't give out keys here. You are just at securities mercy. had a

major melt down today. She was late 15 minutes to all of the 2nd floor classes

last week. Today she went to have her schedule changed and she ended up

separated from her friends. She is so sweet. I wish she didn't have to go

through all this B.S.

[Guest guest]

Thank you ,

Somedays I am a rock today. I am more like gravel.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Bob,

doesn't wear AFOs.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

She had excused tardies, She didn't get any notes. Today she sat alone

upstairs during lunch so she wouldn't have to stress about getting back up.

This just shouldn't be happening.

[Guest guest]

Hey -

Just a question, as a result of the tardiness to classes, is she being provided

with the notes she was missing from class or is she out of those classes

completely now? Also, are they holding these tardies against her seat time?

They shouldn't be...but not all teachers make accommodations even though by law

they have to.

I am so sorry changing the schedule separated her from her friends...that's so

difficult at her age.

starts Monday and his classes zig-zag everywhere, including using the

elevator 3 times...should be interesting. At least he can control the elevator

where we are, but the classes he has are in opposite hallways all the way down

at the ends so he will be doing alot of traveling.

I'm hoping things will settle down for y'all and the routine will become less

grueling.

[Guest guest]

that is so sad

From: MommyToJase@...

Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:45:34 -0400

Subject: Re: High School with stairs

They don't give out keys here. You are just at securities mercy. had a

major melt down today. She was late 15 minutes to all of the 2nd floor classes

last week. Today she went to have her schedule changed and she ended up

separated from her friends. She is so sweet. I wish she didn't have to go

through all this B.S.

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Good Job . You no what I could not walk for 6 months and now I can. I

worked out and did not accept my self being in a wheel chair. Not all schools

have elevators and the AFOS would help out a student who has CMT. I worked out

went to physical therapy and never gave up.

[Guest guest]

If your child continues to be late to class because of security delays, she is

being deprived of an appropriate education. It might be time to

consult a disability attorney or the appropriate government office to try to

force them to give her a key.

Elinor

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/7/2009 4:17:47 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

Elinor17@... writes:

If your child continues to be late to class because of security delays,

she is being deprived of an appropriate education. It might be time to

consult a disability attorney or the appropriate government office to try

to force them to give her a key.

Elinor

This will be my next step. I had a very long IEP meeting last Tuesday. Very

long 3 1/2 hours. Anyway some things were worked out others like security

delays were not.