Re: Question to Those Who have Hired Lawyers

[Guest guest]

Suzanne,

I'm sorry you are in this situation. We were forced to go the

attorney route 2 1/2 years ago and used our home equity line to pay

for it. We looked at it like an investment in his future and even

future students with autism. I have been able to negotiate

effectively since then with our district, but have not been able to

come close to what the attorney was able to do in relation to ESY

services. Each year, I've been looking at the cost/benefit of going

back to the attorney for additional ESY, but have not done so. We

will be transitioning to Kindergarten next year, so we may have

another fight on our hands. You may be able to get a ton of

information from the attorney at just the consultation. We really

got a lot of direction and had a real good idea what the district

would settle for in just the consultation. If I need to fight

again, I would start with just the consultation since I already have

a working relationship with the district.

Good luck,

Colleen

>

> ....how the heck did you pay for them?!?!?!?

>

> After searching for advocates, I think I MAY have found one that

can

> help me for free, but so far, I have not heard from her yet. Yes,

> patience is not one of my virtues when they've been sticking my

kid

> in what effectively amounts to a storage closet. I know, I

know...I

> just can't get past that! What can I say? Anyway, just for fun,

I

> e-mailed a lawyer that I heard speak at an IDEA meeting once, and

> she said, " You have some very serious problems here, and I think I

> can help... " but I'd probably have to sell a vital organ somehow

to

> be able to afford this. I have heard several stories of people

who

> have gone with Legal Aid or OLRS and have not had good results. I

> also wonder if you have to be at a certain income level to qualify

> for that.

>

> Anyone who wants to share, please e-mail me on or off list.

>

> Thanks for the help.

>

> Sincerely,

> Suzanne

>