The Fight for Field Day

Do you remember the Field Day trips in school? The excitement you felt when you felt when on the ride to school you knew that the day was going to be so much fun and the excitement you felt was overwhelming?

My ex-husband tells me the other night that Faith won't have school next Thursday. I was a little confused as to why since I didn't get anything from the school or there wasn't anything special on the school calander. He told me that she didn't have school because the first grade was having their field trip that day. I was even more confused. So the next morning when I dropped Faith off to the aide I asked her why there was no school for Faith that Thursday. She said "Oh no, Faith can come to school but the first grade is going to Norwood Park for Field Day so she won't be going to out classes." I asked her why it was that Faith wasn't included in with the festivities. She informed me that in order for Faith to go to Field Day with the rest of the class they would have to get a handicap bus. I gazed at her through a haze. Surely she wasn't saying what I thought she was saying. I could feel my heart begin to beat faster as I started to question her comment. Sure enough, she was saying what I thought she was saying. Faith wasn't included in with the rest of the class because the Board of Education didn't approve a handicap bus. I became very angry. The aide agreed how wrong it was for them to pick when it was appropriate for Faith to be intigrated in with the "normal" class. Their take was that Faith should be around the "normal" children as much as she can so she will be accepted and viewed as a classmate rather than be labeled. I can appreciate that and I agree. However there have been more occasions that I feel the only reason they voice that opinion is so the county can avoid the cost of providing a one-on-one aide. It's useless to fight, they win. I've taken letters upon letters from Faith's doctors to these meetings where they document Faith would advance and do better with aide assistance where someone will be available to work hand over hand with her at all times, but yet they feel it's their opinion that matters. They know better than the physicians that have followed Faith since birth. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that it's going to take finding a lawyer to handle a case like this or moving to another county. Sad that you have to take such measures to see that your child gets the education she deserves.

Ok, back to the Field Trip story. So I'm pissed. I mean REALLY pissed. After leaving the school I'm so upset I'm shaking. I call the ex and ask him why he would just let this go? "WHY would you think it's ok to allow them to discriminate our daughter???" I asked. His response was that he didn't feel that Faith would enjoy it much anyway. What??? Did he not realize that anytime Faith is around other children she is in her own little heaven. She loves it. It's sometimes sad to watch her watch other children. She is too young to realize what she's missing. Not being able to run and play as they do but yet she laughs and giggles at them as they whiz by her laughing and yelling at one another as she sits in her wheelchair. I find it hard to be sad on the outside tho. Her laughter makes me smile. She amazes me. She's so happy. She's happy to just watch them play. It's times like this that I sit down and think about it that I get sad. I wonder if she'll ever be able to play as they do. I wonder if she will always be content to watch. Will she get to an age where she becomes angry? I can only pray that she keeps her innocent and amazing outlook on the world around her.

Sorry...I did it again. To make a long story (of which still makes my blood pressure rise when I think about it) short. I spoke with the principal and told him that it's in everyones best interest that he look into getting my little girl a bus so she can join her class at that Field Day. Two days of building up....ready to fight....ready to be on the steps of the BOE at 8am....ready to do whatever it took to see that my little girl gets to participate with the "normal" children. I contacted the school yesterday on my break from work and the teacher told me that the bus was approved. I was so happy!! Very shocked tho. This is the first time that I've fought and Faith came out the winner. It was very rewarding and I know that even though Faith doesn't realize all the complications we go through to stand up for her rights that I can truly enjoy her laughter when she watches those kids play at the park......I often find myself looking at the world through Faith's eyes.