Girl with DS not allowed to particiapte in graduat

[didmyheartgood]

I noticed the post from Kristen was not getting as many hits as it really should.This family could use our help. There is great power in numbers...

If you haven't read "for those in the Chicago area", please do so....Even if you don't live in Ill, you can email the superintendent of the school system that is preventing Brittney from walking.... [e-mail]

Sherri also added a link to get the whole story. Here it is again

www.nads.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=5;t=000246


I also have some friends that have contacted the Oprah show. I am just so mad about this!!! .

[laurasnowbird]

Thanks for posting this, I tried to access the article from the several links Kristen provided, and they all took me to the newspapers log in with a password home page, so I couldn't see the article. This is an outrage, and it could happen to any of us.

[justinsmom]

I had the same problem Laura, but I read it now and OMG I was in tears .

[ooginal]

This whole thing is very sad... In Florida, where we lived, the special-ed students graduated right along side of everyone else. They receive a special diploma that looks just like everyone elses... Some go on to attend college. How narrow-minded, self-centered and arrogant they are....... They discredit themselves by being this way.... and they're hanging their ingnorance out for all to see....
If they have no intention of letting someone graduate, they have no business allowing these folks to attend only to tell them, after 4 long years, don't come to graduation..... Sounds like their operating out of the Freddy Flinstone era... This is soooooo sad.....

[jordansmom]

OMG< What sort of ignorant person is in control at that school?

Does anyone have an email address that the rest of us can use for support of this family?

Thanks,
Angie

[didmyheartgood]

The only way I know of right now to contact Brittnay's family is through the NADS website.. Her sister, Katherine, (who is only 15 and her sister's biggest advocate, I might add ;D) is the one who posted the story and what was happening with her sister. If you click on the link in the first post you can log on to NADS and email her or post your support.

You can also email the superintendent that is causing all this, being so unfair, showing his ignorance and using his authority to spread his own prejudices. An email in support of Brittney or a letter to tell him what you think of him will do just fine..LOL His name is Dr Kelly and he can be reached at [e-mail]

I'll post up again if I get a direct email to Brittney....

[finz2left5]

I will email the superindent right away! How awful! Thanks for posting this! Carol

[christie]

WOW How OUTRAGEOUS is that ? I am sure the media will love this story, it should be sent to all the major news stations

The one concern I have is we as parents are always saying we want our kids to be treated as all others and yet seem to want special treatment at the same time Without kowing all the details of this story I am not sure if this falls under that Just wondering if instead of giving out a dipoloma to this young girl maybe a SPECIAL OUTSTANDING AWARD could be given and that way she can participate in the ceremony with her friends and still continue her vocational skills in the district till she is 21 as she wants, at the districts expense, Hmmm just a thought.

I truly hope this is resolved by graduation time

CC

[didmyheartgood]

CC,
that is the troubling thing about all this. Brittney's mother asked that her daughter be given just a "certificate of attendance", as a compromise. She only wants the ceremony for her daughter, and the superintendent refused, saying that it was breaking a "100 year old tradition"His feelings were written to be that graduation is "not a social event". He welcomed Brittney to join in the ceremony provided she accept a "true" diploma and not be allowed to look to the school for any continuing education, as per her IEP until she is 21 years of age. Seems very unreasonable to me. What harm does it do for the kid to walk across HIS stage and be recognized for the time she has put in, completeing all credits required, as every other graduate? Even if she is returning the next year for vocational training? (which by the way, is NOT on the same campus) In reality, high school as she knows it IS over.

I personally feel that he is trying to create an issue, so that the school district will not be responsible to pay for any further services....even if it means robbing a child of a huge milestone in her life. He knows good d**n and well that keeping her from graduating with her peers, may just get his school out of any further obligation to her. I think he is forcing the parents and Brittney to chose 3 more years of education over walking across a stage...A very harsh and unrealistic expectation.

I know I have posted more on this issue than any other. I guess you can tell how passionate I am about this. I just think it is wrong, and should not be allowed to happen to any child. I know there have to be kids that "walked the stage" only to return to summer school to get enough credits to graduate. I really don't see the difference. I'll stop. I know your ears are tired of me going on and on .. It is just wrong.

[shellk]

I read what the sister posted and a few responses on tha board and also registered there myself....I find this very wrong they are discriminating against this young lady and that is not fair. It confuses me as to how a TRADITION can over rule what there is no rule saying cannot happen..There is NO RULE saying she cant walk......LET HER WALK....She has earned this and believe when when I say that I hope and pray that my Kourtney does as well as this young lady....just no a fair thing here.

Michele

[carolyn]

I just want to add that "tradition" would have meant that this young lady would never have even gone through a regular high school. It is time the superintendent acknowlegde the "book" has been rewritten and new traditions are started as new situations arise.