A 6 Hour Meeting

Yes, that's right. Josh and I sat through the longest, most difficult meeting we've ever had to. We were at Leah's IEP. For non-special education folks, that's an Individualized Educational Planning meeting. It's to plan her educational program, set goals and objectives for her school year to come...all as a TEAM! HMMMM, a team! Funny concept as we thought that we would have a role in this team and a say in our daughter's educational program. Nope! We heard a lot of "We hear the parents desires and preferences but what does the team decide?" Excuse me, Josh and I are a big part of this team...do our concerns for our daughter, our preferences for her education, therapy and experiences not count? Clearly not as the "team's" decision was not agreeable to us!

It all comes down to what was explained to us as providing Leah the "Cadillac versus the Buick". (Can you say Cha-Ching $$$$$$?????) The school is required to provide the basic of all basics...well that's what they are willing to do. But I'll be damned (excuse the language for our younger readers) if we take steps backward from all of the time that Leah has put in to her therapies in the past 2+ years. All because of their stupid requirement to provide bare bones "appropriate" education. Josh and I are also contending that they are limiting Leah by not allowing her to go to preschool with Logan for a LRE (least restrictive environment) experience. Thus, having her with normal developing peers as much as appropriate. Can you say "Twin" as a very appropriate peer to be at school with and that being at school with Logan is vital to her social and communicative development. Funny, but their staff gave their opinions based on other kids and other situations...not research...not Leah. Strange, but I had research to back up our position and I have 2+ years with Leah, day in and day out, and they wouldn't even hear us!!!!

So from here out, what to do??? Mediation? Due Process? Something...but which one???? We are not accepting that they wouldn't hear us as parents, the only people in the room that knew Leah. We do not accept the fact that they will not place Leah with Logan for Preschool. Give us a break...how can you deem this as not appropriate for Leah's development!?!?!?!

So sorry if this post was incoherent but this day has been one filled with tears, frustration with others, grieving once again, but rejoicing when we arrived home to see the girls in their princess dresses!!!! That's what this is all about!!! Fighting to make more and more strides...like princess dresses and froggies!!!!