Well, today was PART 3 of Taylor’s IEP. Taylor’s Teacher of Record scheduled the meeting in the afternoon this time to allow all of the team members to be in attendance (i.e: all related services (Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist, Nurse, Transition Specialist), Special Ed Teacher, Gen Ed Teacher, School District Representative) …however, that means that I only had an hour to be able to meet…since it was during my lunch hour. I left my last school and darted over to Taylor’s High School and ran in that meeting as fast as I could. I had an Advocate attend with me…so I had someone there who also knew the mine and Taylor’s rights to assist me.
During these times is when I wish we had a meeting like this on film to help others understand how imperative these IEP meetings are for a child’s successful future. Developing an IEP is not something that should be rushed through. Especially this one! This is the IEP before Taylor turns 18, she will be a Senior in High School next year and currently there is no plan in place for what her future will be. Don’t they get it?! Other 17 year olds start making plans for their future at this time…why not my 17 year old? Regardless, of what I believe or anyone else believes Taylor is capable and a future is inevitable…time moves forward…we can’t stop that. It is just up to us to determine how great we believe Taylor’s can be…and I believe she is made for something great!!
Well, without going into every single detail of that hour (and there are a lot of details) we only were able to cover a small portion of the actual IEP. I knew this going in..and had made it very clear. When I sat down, I communicated that I only had an hour today plus I had previously communicated this through email about the time constraint. When my time was up…I advised the team I had to leave. Due to me running out of time, I had made it clear that I wanted to be present for the entire IEP. The Special Ed Facilitator (he was currently leading the meeting) then raised his voice and said , “OK, well if you have to leave, then the rest of the team will finish the IEP and you can review it.” What? Why would you have a meeting about my child when I’m not there? Why would someone want to plan for her future without one of the most important team member’s input??…Me!!! When I objected, and this is the critical piont…he pushed to ignore my stand and attempted to continue the meeting. He started saying that legally it had to be done and they must finish. He completely ignored my request. This made me think…Does he care about Taylor’s life? This is her life and we want to just skip right through it?
It was so bad that the other teachers started defending my position. Thank-you to those other team members!!! I’m sure that parents in my positon without the training would have caved in and lost their effort to be present. This is what concerns and angers me. Others can mess with me and my children…because God gave me the tools to fight for my children’s rights. I have those gifts, and I will use them. In the end…it will all work out…I will do my all to make sure of it. However, other parents weren’t given the knowledge in IEPs, Education, & Advocacy in order to do so. The IEP process can be so overwhelming for me and I have a Masters Degree to know all this stuff! Can you imagine how overwhelming it may be for others who aren’t familiar with the process? Think of how many parents may have been bullied by this same teacher? AND who is ultimately affected in the long run? The child! They are the ones who get left behind!!! I have got to find a way to make a difference with this. Not sure how to educate others…but I guess this is a start.
I made my stand and as a team we all agreed and rescheduled Taylor’s IEP (Part 4) for next Tuesday morning. I’ll keep you posted!
Yesterday the kiddos went to the monthly event at Starlight Foundation. I was unable to go with them, because I had already planned on going to a Clothing Exchange Party at my friend Melody’s house. I love going to the Starlight Foundation events because every time I do, I meet another person that I believe is amazing. Did you know that there are many amazing people in this world that have amazing stories? If I had a wish, I wish I could travel around the country this summer while the kids are visiting their Dad and interview each person and tell there story. Hmmm….maybe I will just do that!
For now…meet John Michael Stuart. I think he is awesome!
He is always great to my kids and is always assisting others at the Starlight Events! He is a man who lives with Cerebral Palsy…and is an example of the true meaning of perseverence! John wrote a book called Perfect Circles. I’m thinking heavily on starting The Little Life Book Club. If so, this will be the first read! Anyone interested?!
About a couple of months ago I was randomly searching YouTube on information about Cerebral Palsy. I found home videos from a couple with a son who has been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Nate & Renee Charlan are the proud parents of Zack, who is 3. The Charlan’s have teamed up with a T.V production company, a web developer, & Exceptional Family Magazine to provide a weekly online T.V show that will provide various real life stories of families with children with special needs. What a great resource for families!! I invite you to check out the Exceptional Family website and become a member. Just imagine the families it will help!
Check out the short video that I made when we went to The Shriner’s Children’s Hospital and The Children’s Hospital of L.A. We are so grateful for all that Shriner’s has provided for my family! Thanks again!!!
Our day started today at 4am. We got up pretty early to get to Shriner’s Hospital in L.A. After getting the car packed and everyone fed and ready we departed around 6am on our way to Cali. We arrived there around 11am. We are blessed to have Shriners Children ’s Hospital in our life. Taylor & Erin are both being seen by the Orthopedic Specialists for their hips & legs. Taylor has already had some pretty involved surgeries and now it seems that Erin is the next one up. Since I am only one person, I have chosen to concentrate on one child at a time when it comes to any advanced or involved surgeries and now that Jorden’s eye surgery is finished…it is time to figure out what Erin needs to improve and assist with making it less painful for her to walk.
Shriner’s is awesome in providing us anything that we need or aren’t able to get through our insurance. Erin’s old walker broke about 2 months ago and her school has been currently lending us one. We explained this to the Doctor at Shriners Hospital and they immediately sent us over to the Physical Therapy Department where she was able to get a brand new walker! Erin was very excited because it’s blue! After the new walker, we headed over to the Children’s Hospital of L.A where Erin is participating in a Gait Study Analysis where Erin’s every movement, bones, joints, & muscles are examined very closely by a series of tests. It is such an advanced and involved test that it takes nearly 5 hours to complete. The purpose of this test is to provide the Doctors with specific information that assist with determining what type or if any surgeries are needed. How can I turn down anything that will help her.
It is now 5:16 PM and we are all still going strong with a few complaints and whines from the peanut gallery (Jorden & Taylor). I keep reminding them that after this that the waves at the beach will be greeting us as we pull up! We will be spending tomorrow at the beach and will head home on Wednesday. I thought it would be nice to have a little Spring Break getaway (even if it is only a day or two). Not to mention, that the beach has been calling my name too!
