Double post.
For MN residents I would appreciate a favor from you if possible.......A MN Senator introduced bill SF 1291 this morning. This bill repeals, or eliminates most of the sections of Minnesota law that tell schools and districts how to serve students with disabilities. Obviously our current econoimic environment is one in which budgets are tight and no doubt many residents of this state will feel the pain of the decisions made by our elected politicians. It is what is. However, the bill introduced today IMHO crossses a line that once crossed will only lead to more and more cuts. The trend in this country regarding special education and meeting the needs of people with disabilities is quite alarming. Below is what I emailed my senator this morning and I humbly request that each of you do the same if this is something you can support.
I am a parent of a child (*******) born with Cerebral Palsy disability. ******* was classified with a 1% potential survival at birth but will experience his fifth birthday in May. With the assistance of Special Education, ******* has progressed to a situation that has identified him as “miracle child.” ******* has been tested to have above normal intelligence, outstanding vocabulary, physical abilities, an extraordinary personality and an amazing determination to challenge his disabilities or handicaps. He has made remarkable progress but has limitations with balance, speech and use of his fingers or hands. With continued assistance from Special Education, medical professionals are extremely confident that ******* will continue to improve and will without reservation, be capable of most if not entirely normal phases of life. None of the positive dreams for *******’s future would be possible if it were not for the invaluable contributions of Special Education and the tremendous impacts it has made on his life. With Special Education, ******* will be a future productive member of our society rather than an individual left alone without access to the products of Special Education and therefore with limited opportunity to contribute to the greatness of our society.
During my adult life, I have experience and know first hand the difficult task of formulating budgets as a means to serve the needs of our communities. I therefore extend my understanding of the difficult task facing the legislators serving the State of Minnesota. Please do not leave the *******'s behind without the benefit of Special Education. Allow them to grow and develop so they may have the opportunity to attain a role of contribution to society. We can not change what has been done but we can assume our responsibility to improve life for the disadvantaged.
I strongly oppose SF1291 which eliminates protection for students with disabilities in Minnesota. Support of SF1291 is regretful behavior against a disadvantaged minority population.
I am off my soapbox and I apologize for bringing politics into the Lodge.
joke around here today is that the golf team is the toughest of the spring sports teams, cause we were the only ones who played yesterday
I have things to do in my gahden.
