Re: Sandy-education

July 22, 2002

Gail - about your friend at church - she's me ;-) Only I don't have much to show

for it. I also quit my job a year ago this month to stay home and take care of

business with her school but there *is* no taking care of business w them.

I wouldn't even want my nda son attending school in this district so I don't

really know why I thought a quality spec. ed program would work here.

I'm just sooooo disheartened and my energy is depleated in working with them.

It isn't right that I cannot work because I have to constantly watch them. A

really, really bad thing for our family and it def. does cause family stress.

Ok enough negative energy, yes!!!?? LOL

I still don't know what'd going to happen for this next school yr. Technically

it begins ----- tomorrow (ta da da da!) so I guess that until I get the info I

need, Gabby will be ABSENT.

Do you know of where you can find an avocate in your area? Where do you live,

btw?

Sandy

mom to Gabby (6, ds-asd) and Adam (2)

rickvargas1@...

Sandy-education

Sandy,

Thanks for the support! I am coming from the same area you are! I know what

doesn't work with Seth. I know what does work with Seth. They just have

their agenda to follow, whether it works or not. I have asked for a whole

year that Seth NOT be in the Knil program. They won't take him out of it.

Hey, 20 minutes wasted every day is a lot! He's done it for 3 years, with no

progress what so ever. I even said, okay, he can stay in it if you modify it

to work for him. They won't even bend that far! What do you do? They are

soooooo rigid in their teaching. There is no I in Seth's IEP. I agree with

you Sandy. I can't subject my family to this stress anymore either. I

talked with a Mom yesterday at our parish picnic. Her son is a very high

functioning ds child, the same age as Seth. She quit her job at the bank to

spend all her time fighting for what he needs. She has him in reg ed, full

time. She has done a WONDERFUL job getting him everything he needs for a

good education. BUT........... it shows on her and her family too. I can't

go where she is. I won't go where she is. I won't sacrifice my family and

peace in my home. That's great you had such a good advocate last year Sandy.

Wish I had one. I'd fight the fight if I had lots of help, maybe. What are

you doing for school for Gabby this year?

Gail :-)

July 23, 2002

In a message dated 7/22/02 3:03:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

rickvargas1@... writes:

<< I still don't know what'd going to happen for this next school yr.

Technically it begins ----- tomorrow (ta da da da!) so I guess that until I

get the info I need, Gabby will be ABSENT.

Do you know of where you can find an avocate in your area? Where do you

live, btw?

Sandy

mom to Gabby (6, ds-asd) and Adam (2)

rickvargas1@...

>>

Hi Sandy,

School starts today for Gabby? Wow, guess I don't have to feel so rushed

now, do I? LOL I think I'm going to end up in the same situation. And ya

know what? It doesn't even bother me! LOL I figure the district is

dragging their feet on this, so why should I let that upset me? No, I don't

know of any advocates here. The district provides a parent rep (sometimes)

at the meeting, but they really just support the district. We live in

Elmira, NY. Where do you live? Keep posting about what's going on with

Gabby. You're one step ahead of me and I like having you to follow! LOL

Gail :-)

July 23, 2002

Hi Sandy,

I can relate to your dilemna. I have the same situation with Zeb. I quit my

job 2 yrs. ago to monitor his program. I have been in a constant battle with

the school system ever since. It is always something and I see no end in

sight. I just filed another state complaint. I am really leaning on

homeschooling this year myself but have mixed feelings. I am just not sure

what to do. The psychologist and neurologist have both advised me not to. I

want to reclaim my life but am I doing Zeb a disservice in doing so. That is

the main question that I cannot answer. I have no doubt that if Zeb goes to

school this year I will be in due process. Would I win, yes, but at what

cost, financially and emotionally. Would he greatly benefit? I doubt it. The

school would probably be fine and comply until the next year and it just goes

on. I am also even with the pro and con. Our school year doesn't begin until

after Labor day so I still have time but.... I also do advocate work for a

state parent group and have been very successful for everyone else but for

Zeb. I face the same low expectations in my district. All children with

intellectual disabilities get little to nothing here in the way of an

education. All but my child are in isolated placements with IEP's that

contain very little as far as education. I do hold the district accountable

and they will do anything to get rid of me.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 9 DS/OCD ?

July 25, 2002

Gail -

Yeah, don't feel rushed!!! See, just follow me and I will get both of us lost

enough that no one will FIND us and they will have to put a bounty on our

heads!!! LOL

And hey, I wouldn't trust the parent rep either. I wish there was some way you

could find one in your area! The way I found mine last year was through a spec

ed. e-mail list like this one (I swear, I really don't live my life through a

computer!). She was part of a lawsuit filed against a neighboring district and

she mentioned it once during a discussion. I kept her name/e-mail on hand just

in case the day ever came. She really took me under her wing and I was grateful

for that. I think she fell in love with Gabby.... Gabby tends to have that

effect on people. Yeah, at the store the other day (Rite Aid for those of you

who have them... used to be Thrifty here - famous for their wonderful ice cream)

and Gabby used her Dynamo to tell me she had to go potty. I asked where the

bathrooms were and was told by a cashier that they didn't have one for use of

customers anymore! LOL I was like... grrrreeeat. A couple mins later as we moved

through this cashier's line, she asks me.... " OH were you asking about the

bathroom for HER (pointing to Gabby)? " Why yes. " OHHHH... I'll let her use the

bathroom... " begins stumbling for keys. I looked at hubby like, huh? I swear,

this happens a lot. So if it were just my bladder in need, I would'vehad to wait

it... but since it miss Gabs.... heh.....

Okay I know I had a point here. I'm sorry... I talk WAY too much here sometimes.

Oh yes, our advocate was found that way and darn it... I really wish I had more

connections to NY for you.....

I am in San Diego, CA