How fair it that?

[Alice]

Hi,

I am sitting here and I am so upset, shaken, and angry.
Monday morning I started looking for a daycare for Luke, because I am starting my full time job. I have found one and have got all paper and price and so on. At the end of my meeting with the director I told her that my son has DS and needs teachers change his diaper.
She said that this is OK with them.

Today, when I wanted to set up an appointment and bring all paper work, payment; and finally director told me that they can not take him because they do not have a sink to wash their hands after changing Luke's diapers. That is not true at all. She just made up an excuse to regret Luke.

How fair it that?

They have program form 6 month till 6 years. They change diapers for infants and other kids, but they just do not want Luke - because of DS.
I am very upset... They do not want disable child.

[Chris]

That stinks, Alice!

Chris

[marisa]

I am so sorry.
I don't think that is fair at all!! Where do the kids that use the potty wash their hands? Doesn't seem to make sense.

Marisa

[Radonna]

Alice,
That is NOT fair at all!! What sink do they wash their hands in when they change the babies diapers. Is this day care state funded at all??
You might be able to do something legally it is NOT legal to refused services based on disability!!!!
Do you have a copy of their policies? See exactly what the forms state about diapers changing. You might could take it back up there and ask her to clarify in writing WHY they are denying him.
This is not fair at all!!!!
SO Sorry this happened to you
Radonna

[momofrussell]

I was thinking like RAdonna... I am not one for being vindictive.. but this seems to be a clear case of something illegal..state funded place or not. THey can't discriminate.. I"d be calling bullnuts and say.. Oh.. what do you do with other kids and their diapers? You don't wash your hands with them? EW! LOL... make them KNOW you konw even if they won't take your son.. I'd be letting them know!

Sorry Alice.. it truly does SUCK!

A.

[Alice]

You would probably not believe that: I called almost 10 preschools and they all do not want Luke because of diapers issue.
This just ridiculous that they change diapers up to 3 year of age and do not do for others...
I think that I have high blood pressure now after hearing all excuses they all make and stories about other kids Luke's age who are potty trained.

OMG, what should we do?

I left message for our case worker at MRDD that we have this problem. Let's see how she can help us.

[momofrussell]

ok.. so strainge... I feel so bad Alice.. I have NEVER been denied care for Russell at a facility that already took diapered children!!! Legally.. they can't DO that... we have have ADA laws

Can I call them for you? LMAO... I'd LOVE to have a chat with a few of them!!!! heehee

A.

[Radonna]

I hope your case worker will refer you to someone that can help you. I think the ACLU or the ARC would be a place to start. If it is state funded they can be shut down for doing that.
I don't know how private day care's run. I do know that in my Health Safety and Nutrition Class that we learned that each diaper changing area must have a sink and that they keep the infants and toddlers seperate from older kids. Maybe they are using that there is not a sink for changing diapers in the area that Luke will be in. Also if a sink is used for handwashing after a diaper change it isn't suppose to be used by any of the children or for any other reason but diaper changes, so it needs to be a seperate sink, BUT they can walk him to the toddler area to take care of any diaper changes he may need.

Tell us what your case worker says!
Radonna

[Alice]

Wow~

I have got a call from the director, who rejected Luke, with lots of apologies after hearing my message.
Tomorrow I am going to meet with her to talk, turn in our paperwork and to show her my Luke.

I am so nervous if Luke will be happy there if they did not want him...

[meghans_mom]

Alice - I hope it all works out..that's just crazy. if they change other kids diapers and have to wash their hands (or use the bathroom themselves) what exactly do they do?
hugs and let us know how it goes!
laurie

[Radonna]

Alice,
I think they must have just been afraid of what they didn't know about. Once they meet Luke they wont be able to help liking him.
Radonna

[CC]

WOW first she said it was OK then she said it was not then she now says OK again Hmmm I would be a bit worried too. BEST of LUCK tomorrow and let us know how it all goes.

HUGS to you and Mr. Luke

CC ~

[Alice]

Thank you so much for you support - it means a lot to me!
We are going there this morning. I am having hard feeling in my chest. I was so upset yesterday like I met sever reality. I called so many pre-schools and if they learned that child has DS, the first reaction was "No, we do not have special teachers for your son, no, no, no..."
After reminding them that it is illegal, they start making some other excuses.
How terrible is that people do not want to deal with disability. I am still feel that bad feeling.
Let's see what this day brings for us.
I will let you know.
Thanks again - you are the best!

[momofrussell]

Well.. good luck Alice.. I am still baffled so many won't take Luke... never had that happen to me.. I am sorry!!!! But.. I did find this link... to the Ohio state requirements for daycare centers and home based places... there are some angecies listed.. maybe THEY might need to know what is going on! It's worth a shot!

www.daycare.com/ohio/

A.

[Alice]

Here is me again but with good update on Luke and daycare situation! ;D

This morning our case worker from MRDD called us and gave us several day care centers which are accepting disabled kids for sure and that they are very good with these kids.

We called the first one from her list and had learned that they already have a girl with DS and very happy to take our Luke. ;D
My DH, Luke and I just run over to see that place: www.kindercare.com/. We were pleasantly surprised that this day care is MUCH better (newer, cleaner, they provide food, and even cost is lower) than that: www.childrenscenteronbridge.com/pages/1/index.htm which director was afraid to take Luke, asked me so many questions like Luke is a monster or so (you may scroll down and see her face if you want).

I still can not believe that Luke is accepted into very good day care and people do not scared of him. ;D I still afraid that something may happened again. Please keep your fingers crossed...

Also, case worked said that private day care centers may not take disabled children under their care - that is their choice. What!? Does she know that for sure?
That I did not want to hear - you probably too!


Thank you so much for your support!
I'll update you later when Luke starts that day care. Hope he likes it!