Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Acceptance Withdrawn From Student With Disability (<http://wcco.com/education/local_story_171103915.html)>http://wcco.com/educatio\ n/local_story_171103915.html) Esme Reporting Save It Email It Print It (WCCO) Richfield, Minn. A set of twins, who dreamed of going to an elite Twin Cities high school, just got a major disappointment. The Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minn., withdrew acceptance for one of the brothers because he has muscular dystrophy -- a genetic disease that weakens muscles and the ability to control movement. The school said it didn't know the extent of the boy's disability. For 14 years Eddie and Baxter have always been together -- whether it’s playing video games or going to school. After passing a rigorous entrance exam both were accepted in February to Holy Angels. “When I found out we got accepted I felt pretty good,” said , who has muscular dystrophy. But then, two weeks ago, the school told the brother’s parents they could no longer accept , only Eddie. “It made me feel bad because they didn’t give me a chance,” said. Eddie said it is Holy Angels loss. “I think they are missing out on the opportunity of having a really good kid go to their school,” Eddie said. The school will also miss out on Eddie - a standout athlete who said he wont go to the school without his brother. “I don’t want to be separated,” Eddie said. “We have gone to school together forever.” During the admissions process, , Eddie and their parents came to the school several times with their parents to take an exam, meet with people and attend an open house. Each time, was in a wheelchair. Then, in May, the twins’ current school sent Holy Angels a detailed report on ’s condition. “On May 19, we discovered that there was substantial information that had been withheld from the school and upon reviewing it we gained a new understanding of (’s) needs,” said Holy Angels President Jill Reilly said. “And, they were so great we honestly felt we could not accommodate them.” The Baxters deny that any information was withheld. The boys’ mother, Robin, said she met with the school nurse and gave her detailed information about her son’s needs. “She said, ‘This will be perfect,’” Robin said. “’This will be…not a problem.’” School president Jill Reilly said she has received emails from other parents of disabled students who are supportive of the school’s decision. But, one major donor is withholding a contribution because of Baxter. “We choose not to discuss our donations in public as a private school,” Reilly said. The Holy Angels decision came after deadlines to apply to other schools or for open enrollment. The Baxters are looking for another school for the boys, but one thing is clear: The boys will stick together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Oh my! Is this not illegal? Can't the school be sued for discrimination? Blessings, Holly > > From: " Alana R. Theriault " <alrt@...> > Date: 2005/06/20 Mon PM 08:06:17 GMT-02:00 > > Subject: Acceptance Withdrawn From Student With Disability > > Acceptance Withdrawn From Student With Disability > > (<http://wcco.com/education/local_story_171103915.html)>http://wcco.com/educatio\ n/local_story_171103915.html) > > Esme > Reporting > > Save It Email It Print It > (WCCO) Richfield, Minn. A set of twins, who dreamed of > going to an elite Twin Cities high school, just got a > major disappointment. > > The Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, Minn., > withdrew acceptance for one of the brothers because he > has muscular dystrophy -- a genetic disease that > weakens muscles and the ability to control movement. > > The school said it didn't know the extent of the boy's > disability. > > For 14 years Eddie and Baxter have always been > together -- whether it’s playing video games or going > to school. After passing a rigorous entrance exam both > were accepted in February to Holy Angels. > > “When I found out we got accepted I felt pretty good,” > said , who has muscular dystrophy. > > But then, two weeks ago, the school told the brother’s > parents they could no longer accept , only Eddie. > > “It made me feel bad because they didn’t give me a > chance,” said. > > Eddie said it is Holy Angels loss. > > “I think they are missing out on the opportunity of > having a really good kid go to their school,” Eddie > said. > > The school will also miss out on Eddie - a standout > athlete who said he wont go to the school without his > brother. > > “I don’t want to be separated,” Eddie said. “We have > gone to school together forever.” > > During the admissions process, , Eddie and their > parents came to the school several times with their > parents to take an exam, meet with people and attend > an open house. Each time, was in a wheelchair. > > Then, in May, the twins’ current school sent Holy > Angels a detailed report on ’s condition. > > “On May 19, we discovered that there was substantial > information that had been withheld from the school and > upon reviewing it we gained a new understanding of > (’s) needs,” said Holy Angels President Jill > Reilly said. “And, they were so great we honestly felt > we could not accommodate them.” > > The Baxters deny that any information was withheld. > The boys’ mother, Robin, said she met with the school > nurse and gave her detailed information about her > son’s needs. > > “She said, ‘This will be perfect,’” Robin said. “’This > will be…not a problem.’” > > School president Jill Reilly said she has received > emails from other parents of disabled students who are > supportive of the school’s decision. But, one major > donor is withholding a contribution because of > Baxter. > > “We choose not to discuss our donations in public as a > private school,” Reilly said. > > The Holy Angels decision came after deadlines to apply > to other schools or for open enrollment. > > The Baxters are looking for another school for the > boys, but one thing is clear: The boys will stick > together. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 if they're not receiving federal funding, they're exempt from sec. 504 of the rehabilitation act. they are likely exempt under the ADA as a religious organization. At 04:27 PM 6/20/2005, you wrote: >Oh my! Is this not illegal? Can't the school be sued for discrimination? > >Blessings, >Holly > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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