Hi, haven't read any of the replies to you so they may be saying the same things that I am. My DD is 11 yrs & has type 1 diabetes. We had an IEP in place which seemed to go well the first year that she under it but only because she had a wonderful teacher & principal. The 2nd year the crap hit the fan. New teachers principal to our little public school & my DD was told not to make a habitof checking her blood sugar during class time. If yu know anything about type 1, that can be a fatal mistake, not to check your b.sugar As you can imagine, I didn't take lightly to this. This was only one of a trillion things that made my DH & I decide to homeschool.
My mother is at a neighboring school in the guidance office. Even she is pushing for me to get a lawyer at this point. But if I do that, then not only are they discriminating, but they'll hate him as well. And yes that does happen. My mom said the teachers are forever gossiping about certain students etc... They are human after all. So like I said, even if there was some change, forget it! I'm livid. This has been going on for two years. I'm fed up. And with the total breakdown in communication I've lost track of my child somehow. It hurts so much to see him hurting. And for me he isn't some liability with epilepsy or another statistic. He's my son. I wish these people could realize that. They have a holy-er then thou stance. Only the Government is capable of PROPERLY raising your child. I've had enough. Anyway, just wanted to thank you all for the responses and your kind words and support. This has been a rough road.
My 11 yo DD has type 1 diabetes & we ran into so many similar issues with her @ public school. Homeschooling is the ver best thing that we have ever done for our children's education & peace of mind.(also have a 12yo. DD) If you are simply tired of fighting the system-PULL OUT! Not only is HS much less stressful than dealing with all the crap @ public school but your child will learn so much more & @ his pace. Curriculum- we like Math-U-See, Growing with Grammar, The Story of the World, Apologia Science books, A Beka Bible study
First, let me say Welcome to the Spot! We're in Ohio too. And then ((((hugs))))! The only run in I had with the ps was when they tried to channel ds into the special needs preschool from EI. I made the point in no uncertain terms that ds would be homeschooled and the treatment changed almost overnight. In my opinion you do have legitimate concerns about how the teachers will treat your son. You are very capable of raising your child properly. And you are far better able to deal with his epilepsy at home than the ps ever can. At home will be less stressful on BOTH of you! Marty
Well this is my take on it all. Sorry if it sounds distant or off in anyway. First off your first and upmost important task right now is to do what is best for your son. That is it. If you already feel that he is being discriminated against in ps, then he probably is. If he is not getting what he needs to thrive in ps, then it is up to you to make the right decision and take the matters into your own hands. His education and well being is number one! Nothing should ever make you and anyone forget that. Ps can be great for some kids, but others slip through the cracks and no one looks back. The figure if a child has issues or is difficult in anyway it is easier to bypass them. I am truly sorry this is happening to your son. But now is you chance to take over and nurture him the ways he needs. Yes, it is wrong of the school to do what they are. Now I don't see contacting all kinds of people here and there will fix the problem. Now it will be brought to others attention, but in most cases it makes matters worse for the child and parent in the long run. Now from what you wrote, I believe this child will benefit from homeschooling. There will not be any discrimination toward him, no IEP to worry about, nothing. He will get the medical care he needs when he needs it since you will be with him the whole time. Also less stress usually means less episodes right? (well my step mom has epilepsy and she does better in less stressful situations). He will be getting the individualized attention he needs, you will be able to do everything at the level he is. You will plan the field trips and he will be able to go every single time. There are homeschoolers all over and you should be able to find a group or family whom you can get together with and plan trips to different places and such. All I am saying is leaving him where he is at sounds like it will only do more harm. Not that homeschooling is for everyone, but well worth the try.
I am not saying don't contact people. Please do, but also take in consideration what effect it will have on him once he is left there it might be worse for him. So, please contact people but protect your son from what will happen afterwards.
Just a warning. If you DO pull him, expect a fight. I'm not saying they'll give you one, but because he's got an IEP, they might. They get extra money for special needs children. You might look VERY seriously at Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Many of us here are members, though it's perfectly OK not to join. What they do is give members free legal advice/help/representation in all matters homeschool related. Basically, if the school district gives you any grief, tells you you "can't" because you'll be in violation of the IEP, or tries to charge you with truancy, they will step in and deal with them for you.
That is one reason when my ds was in public school, I wanted only a 504 for accomodations rather than an IEP since he didn't need one. The school tried to get me to have and IEP but I refused. A 504 insures his needs for his Tourette's would be met--or it should have. At any rate, they wouldn't implement anything on his 504 so I knew they really wouldn't do anything in an IEP except cash the check.
Well, part of me would want to get the lawyer and make the school do what it is supposed to do. However, I think you would find life so much easier homeschooling. It would be so much easier to accommodate for your son's health issues, and I think you would find the academics are better as well. Good luck on your decision making.
wOW...I feel rather stupid. I had no idea the school was paid for every IEP student. Things that don't go out in the newsletters I guess. We've been talking and crying and talking some more all weekend. I'm terrified of making the wrong decision. As far as the camping trip goes, he'll be missing school those 3 days whether the school approves or not. The whole class is going and there's no way he's gonna sit in the office for 3 days. I'm actually thinking of taking him camping those 3 days at the SAME camp They're already breaking laws anyway. And quite frankly i don't care who they call. I've got nothing hide and everything to gain. I've never been so discusted. I grew up in this town, my mother, cousins, aunts etc....even on my husbands side are employed through the schools. Teachers, psychologists etc.... It breaks my heart to watch this happen. Anyway, what's the worst they can do. My sister works for CPS and she's planning to teach a couple of hers at home. She said it's more and more common & she lives in a district where the schools are AWFUL! And as a social worker, she really doesn't make enough for private schooling. The only problem is is what my child wants. He seems undecided. While he hates the way he's being treated, he would miss his friends. Mind you we have about 200 kids in our small circle developement, his true friends are there. Even with playdates etc, he wouldn't see them much. That and he's at the age where everything matters. I set up a meeting with our priest. Funny thing : I haven't been to church in over a year...but I guess right now I need help. I know...it's wrong to ask for help from the church when I haven't even gone in a while, but I'm guessing God won't mind.
It's never wrong to seek God's wisdom. Great thing about Him. He's crazy about us! He's the perfect Father and can't wait to hear from us whenever we are ready to talk to Him. It's an interesting concept to know that He is not here or away. We are always in His presence, being watchfully cared for. We just decide when we are going to talk to Him. We can all relate to how emotional the decision to homeschool is. For us, we wanted to homeschool--dare I say we were convicted to homeschool--before we ever had our first child. I got scared at the last minute and put ds in kindergarten instead. We had nothing but problems any time he has ever been in public school, still it was difficult to make the jump. The hardest part is not showing up for class the first day. After that, you realize it's ok. (((more hugs))) We are here regardless of the decision you make.
