Send a Card to Alex

First, read my post below...

Then click here to send a card to Alex!

Unimaginable....

I am truly disgusted...

St. Lucie teacher has students vote on whether 5-year-old can stay in class

By Colleen Wixon (Contact)Originally published 01:50 p.m., May 23, 2008Updated 04:30 p.m., May 23, 2008


PORT ST. LUCIE — Melissa Barton said she is considering legal action after her son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.

After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about Barton's 5-year-old son, Alex, his Morningside Elementary teacher said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.

By a 14 to 2 margin, the class voted him out of the class.

Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with Asperger's, a type of high-functioning autism. Alex began the testing process in February for an official diagnosis under the suggestion of Morningside Principal Marsha Cully.

Alex has had disciplinary issues because of his disabilities, Barton said. The school and district has met with Barton and her son to create an individual education plan, she said. His teacher, Wendy Portillo, has attended these meetings, she said.

Barton said after the vote, Alex's teacher asked him how he felt.

"He said, 'I feel sad,'" she said.

Alex left the classroom and spent the rest of the day in the nurse's office, she said.

Barton said when she came to pick up her son at the school on Wednesday, he was leaving the nurse's office.

"He was shaken up," she said. Barton said the nurse told her to talk with the child's teacher, who told her what happened.

Alex hasn't been back to school since then, and Barton said he won't be returning. He starts screaming when she brings him with her to drop off his sibling at school.

Thursday night, his mother heard him saying "I'm not special."

Barton said Alex is reliving the incident.

They said he was "disgusting" and "annoying," Barton said.

"He was incredibly upset," Barton said. "The only friend he has ever made in his life was forced to do this."

The child's mother filed a complaint with the school resource officer, who investigated the matter, said Port St. Lucie spokeswoman Michelle Steele said. But the state attorney's office concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed, Steele said. Port St. Lucie Police is no longer investigating, but is documenting the complaint, she said.

Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident did occur.

St. Lucie School's spokeswoman Janice Karst said the district is investigating the incident, but could not make any further comment.

Vern Melvin, Department of Children and Families circuit administrator, confirmed the agency is investigating an allegation of abuse at Morningside, but said he could not elaborate.

Wheelchair Woes, Part 2

Does anyone know how often insurance will cover a wheelchair? We have private insurance (Highmark) and Medical Assistance (Gateway). Jack received his first wheelchair in December of 2006 (although it was ordered nearly a year before then -- they go by the date delivered). We recently had it adjusted for growth -- and while he fits well now I am not sure how long until his next growth spurt.

Also, he isn't able to use the chair with both arms functionally. Since I knew NOTHING about wheelchairs before his first one, I trusted the seating clinic to know what to order. The chair simply does not work for independent mobility. We are in need of a one arm drive system (where the user can use two hand rims to maneuver on one side of the wheelchair). This will prevent the large circles he is doing now...which of course frustrates him!

This is becoming even more important as he enters Kindergarten. He will use his walker for short distances -- but he fatigues easily and will need his wheelchair even more this coming school year to get around the large elementary school.

His physiatrist would provide us with all letters of medical necessity as well as the prescription and we would use a local DME instead of the seating clinic this time.

There is only one pediatric wheelchair system that offers a one arm drive and luckily it's a brand that insurance companies have been known to cover (because it's less expensive than others, and pretty much a simple, unfancy chair).

I really wish I would have known then what I know now about wheelchairs. There's nothing worse than being stuck with something that doesn't work...

Any tips, advice, words of wisdom for getting insurance to cover the new chair would be appreciated!

I am considering paying out of pocket if we can't get insurance to cover it. Now, I just need to find $3500!!!!! Let me see if the money tree has grown yet, lol! In all seriousness that isn't very expensive when it comes to a wheelchair. Jack's current chair was nearly $8000. Insane, since it DOESN'T WORK for him.

Karate and The Story About Kevin...

Jack is Super -Excited...

So I googled Cerebral Palsy and Karate this morning and came upon this article. It made me wonder if Jack could take Karate lessons. I am trying to find some summer activities for Jack that are less clinical and therapy oriented and more community and fun based! So far I am looking into horseback riding, karate, and a gym/tumble class.

Sometimes I get fed up with hospitals, doctors, nurses and therapies...no offense to any of you -- we LOVE you, but I think this summer we're taking a BREAK and are going to live life just a little more on the outside than the inside of clinical settings. Besides -- Jack will start FULL DAY Kindergarten in the fall. I will be lost without my little man for most of the day...although Morgan and I are sure to find something to do...lol

So that's my plan and I am sticking to it. I emailed a local Karate Studio asking if they could accomodate a disabled child in their class. I truly hope so...if not, we'll find someone who can! I'll keep you posted!

A Few FOUR LETTER WORDS...

I am reposting this from Wheelchair Diffusion

A spam attack on online forums and help centers of the Epilepsy Foundation appear to have been designed to trigger seizures in persons with epilepsy.

“On Easter weekend, the Epilepsy Foundation—and those who use its online forums for help, support, suggestions and camaraderie—came under attack by people who posted rapidly flashing images to cause serious injury and harm. The type of epilepsy that causes people to experience seizures upon seeing flashing or flickering images is photosensitive epilepsy.”


Read the rest at: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutus/pressroom/action_against_hackers.cfm

__________________

This makes me sick...and very sad. This takes time and energy -- someone put thought into HARMING people with seizures. Unbelievable. May they get what they deserve...

Morgan!!!!!!!

MORGAN TOOK HER FIRST STEPS!!!!!!!!I can't believe it! She took her steps from Jason to me about 4 steps on her own -- then later about 13 or so steps across the room to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!

"Jack Riley - On the Move" Movie...

Okay, so I tried my hand at creating a movie with Windows Movie Maker. I must admit I've watched it over and over again...(I can't wait to make more -- and play with more of the features!!)

Enjoy!