Most people who would never knowingly use disparaging terms do not see a problem with saying ‘retard’. This must change. It’s just as hateful as any other slur. And, for people with intellectual disabilities, their families and friends, it hurts just as much. Please, don’t use the ‘R’ word.
Would like to give a shout out to the specific post I share most often with families
Filed under Uncategorized
I was thinking about work related social media stats today, and I realized it has been a long time since I looked at the statistics from my blog. I’m humbled to be a couple dozen hits away from 185,000.
I just wanted a place to talk about my kid and my hot-button issues freely. Over time, I’ve realized the benefits that come with telling your story. Talking/writing allows you to process what happened, to think critically about what happened/didn’t happen.
The validation from other parents who I’ve connected with, that was unexpected, and has really lifted my spirit in several dark hours of my life.
Thank you for the click.
Filed under Angelman Syndrome, disability, education, Emilie, family
This is what bullying looks like.
This is a teacher belittling a student.
This is a student crying.
This is a student who is nonverbal and denied technology to communicate.
This is abuse.
This is the photo that Blissfield Middle School published in the yearbook.
This is done to humiliate the student and her family.
This is retaliation for speaking out for the student’s legal rights.
This is the school sending the message “we don’t want you here.”
This is a school district that has been found noncompliant six times by the state Department of Education in the last 5 months.
This is a school district that Michigan Department of Education declared had denied the student a free and appropriate public education in June 2012.
This is what happens when the school administration and school board condone discrimination.
This is the offensive, intimidating, oppressive atmosphere created by Blissfield Community Schools.
This is about using shame, humiliation and exclusion to deny an American her civil rights.
This is wrong.
This has to stop.
This student is Maddie Mullins: friend, daughter, sister, student. This 2012-2013 school-year, Blissfield Community Schools decided to send her to a segregated program in another school in another town for the majority of her day. This would cause significant harm to her. This district refuses to consider evaluation data, research, or the student’s personal history (having been successfully fully included in regular school for 8 years). This year, Maddie was only allowed to attend regular school for 80 minutes a day. Of those 80 minutes at Blissfield High School, 20 minutes was spent picking up trash. Now, this district is abusing Maddie and she is unable to attend school at all.
This is something you can help with.
Tell Blissfield Community Schools to stop the segregation, bullying, and discrimination; provide Maddie Mullins with a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.
https://www.change.org/petitions/blissfield-community-schools-stop-the-segregation-bullying-and-discrimination
Filed under Uncategorized
Why are we still having this fight? How do these so-called-educators promote segregation? Equality is one of the basic tenents of American democracy.
Saw the clearest quote today from a young man who is facing the same discrimination as my daughter.
“The Civil Rights Act of 1964 gave equal rights to all people. I am a person. I want these rights” -from https://www.facebook.com/#!/IStandWithHenry
The same sentiment, as a poster that we used at Maddie’s rally.
Filed under Uncategorized
It’s such an honor to be featured on Paula Kluth’s website! http://www.paulakluth.com/2012/09/12/website-wednesday-emilies-blog/
But it’s difficult too, because my daughter’s current education is such a mess. Here is my reply to Paula. If you’re looking for information that Paula mentioned, I recommend using the search feature on this blog.
Thanks for the shout out Paula! How exciting. You’ve always been an inspiration.
Sadly, I have to share that my wonderful daughter, after being fully included from kindergarten through 8th grade, is only able to attend school for 90 minutes a day (part of study hall and gym class).
Our district (Blissfield Community Schools, in Michigan) has decided to send Maddie to a segregated program in a different school district half an hour from our house. I’m supposed to be excited that she has the opportunity to be a slave, doing janitorial work and “mandatory volunteer” experiences. There is no specific math or reading program used. There is no access to the curriculum, the program has their own “Life Skills Cognitive Impairment Curriculum.”
The district refuses to consider multiple evaluations and independent evaluations, the law, parent input, best practices, the student’s wishes, the student’s long term goals, the student’s job interests, the student’s motivation and interests, etc.
I have pursued the complaint process through the state of Michigan, and the district and Intermediate School District have been found out-of-compliance multiple times. But the district has yet to comply with any of the corrective action plans issued by the Michigan Department of Education. At our last state-ordered IEP meeting, the district did not bring an IEP form to write on. Clearly, their “draft” was to be reviewed, not discussed.
The district’s frequent comment is “If you don’t like it, go to due process.” The right to due process only exists for parents who can afford $40,000 in attorney fees. Of course, the district has an attorney paid for by my tax dollars.
Blissfield is a great community, we love our home and have great neighbors. It’s confusing that the town is an open and welcoming community and the school district and administrators segregate, bully, and discriminate. It’s sickening.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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