I need to vent. Budget related.

[jls886]

I normally do not post on conversations that turn like this one has. It is NONE of our rights to judge the OP, her daughter, or her school for the decisions that have been made regarding the care of her daughter. Unless you have been in her position, you really don't know how you would feel in her shoes. And you should take a minute to say a blessing that you have healthy children.

The OP was posting here looking to vent and (I'm guessing) assuming she would receive a little compassion. She was not asking if you think it is right or not. Her daughter obviously cannot be held responsible to take care of her hearing aid, and she obviously was not able to communicate to anyone that it was missing. That is a little different than teaching kids to be responsible for their belongings.

to you OP! I'm know that what you go through daily is not easy. My mom is disabled, but not to the extent that your daughter is, and I know how much extra work it is for my mom. It is work that our entire family is happy to do as we love her more than anything and would do whatever possible to help her live in the world as "normally" as possible. I hope everything gets sorted out and that you're happy (as happy as you can be) with the resolution.

 

[jls886]

I don't care what her IEP says, what does that have to do with whether this was purposeful or accidental? as long as the aid did not purposefully damage it it is an accident. The aid could have watched it fall and been unable to grab it before another child stepped on it. Isn't that an accident? should the school still pay for it? what if it had fallen off I would say no. Unless the aid took it off the child and placed it in the parking lot it was not purposeful.

there is a huge difference in taking it off on purpose and putting it where it could get damaged and it accidentally falling out and getting damage. and the tax payers should not pay unless it was done on purpose by the aid.

If the aide watched it fall and be stomped on, the aide should have reported exactly that. But they didn't. Apparently no one noticed that it was missing - and likely the hearing aid could have been saved. The aide has one job - attending to the OP's daughter, and it sounds like that job was not being done. There are always 2 sides to every story, but at the very least the aide should have noticed that the hearing aid was missing and 1) retraced steps (as best they could) to locate it and 2) reported the incident.

The OP has to rely on the 1:1 aide to care for her daughter while she is at school. Period. And it sounds like that care might have been questionable on that day.

 

[Disfan3]

I don't care what her IEP says, what does that have to do with whether this was purposeful or accidental? as long as the aid did not purposefully damage it it is an accident. The aid could have watched it fall and been unable to grab it before another child stepped on it. Isn't that an accident? should the school still pay for it? what if it had fallen off I would say no. Unless the aid took it off the child and placed it in the parking lot it was not purposeful.

there is a huge difference in taking it off on purpose and putting it where it could get damaged and it accidentally falling out and getting damage. and the tax payers should not pay unless it was done on purpose by the aid.

Well the LAW does care what the IEP SAYS. IN FACT, she could go to mediation and if necessary, due process hearing, and believe me, she would WIN. They would have to compensate her.

Really doesn't matter if YOU care what the IEP says or NOT. THE LAW cares.
Doesn't really matter if you agree with the law or not. It's the law. This parent would win if she pressed the issue in court.

If it had fallen out on her mother's watch then her mother would be responsible for replacing it (which BTW...is probably covered by medicaid/social security because this child is DISABLED and I am guessing is not covered ONLY by private insurance).

 

[Hannathy]

Well the LAW does care what the IEP SAYS. IN FACT, she could go to mediation and if necessary, due process hearing, and believe me, she would WIN. They would have to compensate her.

Really doesn't matter if YOU care what the IEP says or NOT. THE LAW cares.
Doesn't really matter if you agree with the law or not. It's the law. This parent would win if she pressed the issue in court.

If it had fallen out on her mother's watch then her mother would be responsible for replacing it (which BTW...is probably covered by medicaid/social security because this child is DISABLED and I am guessing is not covered ONLY by private insurance).

Well if her IEP says the school is responsible for replacing her hearing aid no matter what happens to it then that explains what is wrong with our school system. It is an education plan not an insurance policy. Schools should not be paying for hearing aids not will fully destroyed by their staff.

And I'm sorry but that is crazy! she is entitled to a free appropriate education not free appliances.

 

[daughtersrus]

I normally do not post on conversations that turn like this one has. It is NONE of our rights to judge the OP, her daughter, or her school for the decisions that have been made regarding the care of her daughter. Unless you have been in her position, you really don't know how you would feel in her shoes. And you should take a minute to say a blessing that you have healthy children.

The OP was posting here looking to vent and (I'm guessing) assuming she would receive a little compassion. She was not asking if you think it is right or not. Her daughter obviously cannot be held responsible to take care of her hearing aid, and she obviously was not able to communicate to anyone that it was missing. That is a little different than teaching kids to be responsible for their belongings.

to you OP! I'm know that what you go through daily is not easy. My mom is disabled, but not to the extent that your daughter is, and I know how much extra work it is for my mom. It is work that our entire family is happy to do as we love her more than anything and would do whatever possible to help her live in the world as "normally" as possible. I hope everything gets sorted out and that you're happy (as happy as you can be) with the resolution.

.

If it had fallen out on her mother's watch then her mother would be responsible for replacing it (which BTW...is probably covered by medicaid/social security because this child is DISABLED and I am guessing is not covered ONLY by private insurance).

DD doesn't qualify for Medicaid or any other services because in IL, parental income/assets are considered. In many other states, only the income/assets of the child are considered. That is why IL ranks at the very bottom of all of the states for providing services to the disabled.

Well if her IEP says the school is responsible for replacing her hearing aid no matter what happens to it then that explains what is wrong with our school system. It is an education plan not an insurance policy. Schools should not be paying for hearing aids not will fully destroyed by their staff.

And I'm sorry but that is crazy! she is entitled to a free appropriate education not free appliances.

We paid for the hearing aids with our own money, not the school district. We feel that one of the school employees (not sure if it was the bus aid or the school aid) were negligent for not following the IEP that clearly states that the 1:1 working with DD is responsible to make sure that things don't get lost or damaged since DD can not be responsible for herself.

I honestly hope that you are never in a situation where a child of yours or a close family member ever needs the type of care that my DD needs.

 

[crisi]

I normally do not post on conversations that turn like this one has. It is NONE of our rights to judge the OP, her daughter, or her school for the decisions that have been made regarding the care of her daughter. Unless you have been in her position, you really don't know how you would feel in her shoes. And you should take a minute to say a blessing that you have healthy children.

The OP was posting here looking to vent and (I'm guessing) assuming she would receive a little compassion. She was not asking if you think it is right or not. Her daughter obviously cannot be held responsible to take care of her hearing aid, and she obviously was not able to communicate to anyone that it was missing. That is a little different than teaching kids to be responsible for their belongings.

to you OP! I'm know that what you go through daily is not easy. My mom is disabled, but not to the extent that your daughter is, and I know how much extra work it is for my mom. It is work that our entire family is happy to do as we love her more than anything and would do whatever possible to help her live in the world as "normally" as possible. I hope everything gets sorted out and that you're happy (as happy as you can be) with the resolution.

I'm not judging her. I'm saying its an inappropriate expense for the school district to be responsible for. For many districts, this means that some other need will go unmet. There is no judgment of the individual in that - nor is there anything in that that implies she does not have a tough road.

 

[robinb]

Well if her IEP says the school is responsible for replacing her hearing aid no matter what happens to it then that explains what is wrong with our school system. It is an education plan not an insurance policy. Schools should not be paying for hearing aids not will fully destroyed by their staff.

And I'm sorry but that is crazy! she is entitled to a free appropriate education not free appliances.

*sigh*

In case you missed it:

First I called the transportation dept for our school district. The lady that answered just happened to be the assistant director of special services for transportation. I've dealt with her in the past when DD's prosthesis for her eye was lost on the bus. At that time, we set up a check list that the aids on the bus are supposed to do every time she gets on and off the bus. Apparently it wasn't done buy the bus staff that picked her up from her school nor was it done by the bus staff that picked her up from the high school and brought her home. This really makes me mad because DD is on the bus over an hour each way. I'm not sure if they're even watching her like they should be on the bus.

The bus staff and/or aide has been negligent before. So negligent that a system was put into place where the OP's DD was checked for her expensive and necessary appliances. THAT system was not followed. THAT is why she is entitled (yes, I used that dreaded word: ENTITLED) to a replacement. The district staff did not follow procedures, did not do their job and by their negligence the hearing aid was destroyed.

 

[StephMK]

We paid for the hearing aids with our own money, not the school district. We feel that one of the school employees (not sure if it was the bus aid or the school aid) were negligent for not following the IEP that clearly states that the 1:1 working with DD is responsible to make sure that things don't get lost or damaged since DD can not be responsible for herself.

I honestly hope that you are never in a situation where a child of yours or a close family member ever needs the type of care that my DD needs.

OP, I hope the school does the right thing and replaces it with no hassle. I am finding some of these responses hard to believe and hope you are feeling support from at least some of the posts. I'm finishing my sped degree & have been very interested in the views given on this thread.

I worked as a 1:1 aide for a boy & there is no way to reasonably have more than 1 student if they are not independently mobile. In a class, sure, you can help more than 1 for a few moments, but it would not work for kids with multiple needs over the course of a whole day.

For those saying it's an accident & why should the school pay, well, the school didn't follow the IEP so who's to say it was truly an accident? The school did not document what they are required to by law so there is no way to prove that it was an accident - how do you know the student didn't get knocked over or have a student pull it? To have a student go an entire day w/o anyone noticing, documenting or calling the OP about a missing piece of medical equipment that is clearly needed for education, I think that shows neglient behavior from the school.

 

[GinnyEmma]

*sigh*

In case you missed it:



The bus staff and/or aide has been negligent before. So negligent that a system was put into place where the OP's DD was checked for her expensive and necessary appliances. THAT system was not followed. THAT is why she is entitled (yes, I used that dreaded word: ENTITLED) to a replacement. The district staff did not follow procedures, did not do their job and by their negligence the hearing aid was destroyed.

This makes sense. The school was negligent.

 

[ccgirl]

*sigh*

In case you missed it:



The bus staff and/or aide has been negligent before. So negligent that a system was put into place where the OP's DD was checked for her expensive and necessary appliances. THAT system was not followed. THAT is why she is entitled (yes, I used that dreaded word: ENTITLED) to a replacement. The district staff did not follow procedures, did not do their job and by their negligence the hearing aid was destroyed.

BTW, the problem with our school systems is not that we are paying for someone's hearing aid!

 

[jls886]

I'm not judging her. I'm saying its an inappropriate expense for the school district to be responsible for. For many districts, this means that some other need will go unmet. There is no judgment of the individual in that - nor is there anything in that that implies she does not have a tough road.

Then make your case to your senator, congressman, someone with the authority to possibly change something. Telling the mother of a disabled girl that she should have to incur an expense due to her caretaker's (school employee) negligence is not exactly the right forum for your opinions. It is what it is. The law is the law. Her daughter has been assigned a 1:1 aide for a reason. She did not ask if you think that is right or not.

 

[dimimi]

Fund them somehow other than through the general school budget. If its important to us as taxpayers to take care of these kids, then make it a funded mandate. Don't take resources away from the rest of the kids for a 1:1 aide. This needs to be funded COMPLETELY outside of the school budgets.

And its possible that once that is done we will decide we can't afford a 1:1 aide for kids as a society. And we will have to do away with mainstreaming or their parents will have to self source if they want their kids mainstreamed. Its a hard choice, but we cannot afford the way these programs are currently set up. The U.S. debt rating has been downgraded. We are at our debt ceiling. Our country has reached boiling point regarding the tax situation. Foreclosures means less property tax revenue for localities - which is how schools are funded.

I guess I am just curious where you would like these kids to go to school? If the child needs medical help and 1:1 care, is your idea to just let them go to school without the care? Just wondering?

 

[Hannathy]

so then answer me this if the hearing aid fell out of her ear and hit the floor and was immediately stepped on by someone, which is very plausible and the aid saw it happen is the school still responsible for paying? the aid saw it happen but couldn't stop it which is highly believe able. That is truly an accident correct?

How is this any different?

The only way the school district should be liable for replacing it is they can prove the aid destroyed it on purpose.

 

[katlas&kids]

daughterus,

Big hugs to you & kudos for being the advocate your child needs. If she was born 10 years earlier, it would have been even harder on you.

My son started school in the late 80's. He has brittle bone disease through his dad's family line. By the time he started K, he had 5 body casts from chest to toes due to broken femurs, 2 skull fractures & various greenstick fractures. He also had major surgery to put intermedulary rods in his left femur so it wouldn't be so warped. (He was one of the test subjects for this and other procedures & yes he is in the books).

When I went to register him for K in the neighborhood school, I was told that they would not accept him as they weren't set up for handicapped kids. He was a brain, cause he communicated a lot and only needed accomadations when casted for home tutoring. They wanted to put him on a bus & take him across town with the "average kids" to a title one 2 story school. At that time, there was no "other health impaired" catagory. And after hearing what had happened to other kids with his condition in public schools (one high school kid was going to sit down in his chair to eat in the cafeteria and the other kids pulled it out, knowing his condition. He broke his femur while they laughed. There was no great punishment since it was "just a prank").

Being smart helped my son in odd ways. He knew that others were pushing me to homeschool him, and having gone to school through preschool, he didn't want to be any different from the others than he was. So he dawdled through work sent home but when he was allowed to attend school to get "help" (he had surgery and was on a tilted wheelchair for the first few weeks of K) he went back to school 2 weeks ahead of the other kids.

There was no outside help for him until he hit 9th grade. Not that we didn't try. We worked through his stroke at 9, 1/2 dozen surgeries for more rods in all his leg bones & to rebuild his hips. We finally did get the tutoring help we needed and were very grateful.

having 2 other kids who are special needs due to emotional/mental issues, we struggled for 7 years of elementary (K - 5) to get Sped child studies to see what the outside docs tested for. He is now almost 15, still learning to read due to a visual processing error. The testing was finally seen by a special ed teacher in 6th grade who really went at the Special Ed study group who decides what kids need to be helped for not reading the outside testing they requested.

So to those who are blessed enough to not have special needs issues for your kids, be glad. Maybe put yourself in the shoes of those of us who do. We are normal parents, just like you, who want the best for our kids. My oldest is facing major back surgery cause all of his vertabraes have compacted into nothing or are squished on one side or the other. My almost 15 year old can't get a drivers permit when he is of age, or even a job due to his inability to read like all the other average kids can. And just think, we moms/dads/parents deal with this on our own. We fight for our kids to get the advantages that you take for granted for your kids. I would love to be able for my kids to ride bikes, go out & play sports, etc. And no, I am not a rich mom. I am one who doesn't qualify for any help cause I work to keep my house for my kids. And my husband passed away in January, so I am on my own with this. When do I get widows benifits? When I am 60, if I am not working then.

Sometimes you need to think if it was you posting about your kids on these issues, how would you like others to respond to you?

 

[JoiseyMom]

OP I am sorry you are going through this. Yes, it seems those in charge were negligent. Unfortunately they will not just pay up, you are going to have to threaten to sue, or sue them to make them pay. It is just the way they work. Good luck and I hope you can get them to cover what was obvious to most of us what was their fault! Best of luck with your DD!

 

[Leajess99]

I've never heard of such insurance. The aide is a 1:1 aide and is supposed to be there at all times as the OP's DD cannot do anything for herself, including pushing her wheelchair. How do you not see a hearing aid is missing. According to the IEP she should be checking.


Exactly. As I mentioned before, this is a 1:1 aide that is supposed to be there at all times and checking the hearing aide is there as is noted on the IEP.



True. I guess only "average" students would have a right to what they need then? As far as the aide being properly trained, I totally agree. Also, if she just showed her due diligence and ensured the hearing aide was in she should have found it as soon as it fell out. It seems to me the aide was not providing close enough supervision.

In reference to the bolded, yes, the aid is 1:1 BUT the aid does not ride the bus with the child from what I understood. She has a separate aid for that and IF that aid did not see the hearing aid from the beginning than she may not have thought nything of it missing. Unfortunately things happen and no one is perfect. This just seems to be an accident and really we do not know if the aid would have found it as soon as it fell out or not.

I do not know what hearing aid this particular child has but I can tell you that hearing aids have gotten smaller over the years.

 

[Leajess99]

If the aide watched it fall and be stomped on, the aide should have reported exactly that. But they didn't. Apparently no one noticed that it was missing - and likely the hearing aid could have been saved. The aide has one job - attending to the OP's daughter, and it sounds like that job was not being done. There are always 2 sides to every story, but at the very least the aide should have noticed that the hearing aid was missing and 1) retraced steps (as best they could) to locate it and 2) reported the incident.

The OP has to rely on the 1:1 aide to care for her daughter while she is at school. Period. And it sounds like that care might have been questionable on that day.

Actually, there are 3 sides to every story. Person A's side, Person B's side, and the truth.

 

[katlas&kids]

BTW, I did pay for my older kids private school along with still paying taxes to a school system that wouldn't help or provide for 1 of them. We who CHOOSE private to help our kids still pay the same state & city taxes for our area that you do.

So does that say that it is right? No, but since vouchers to go to private keep getting struck down, this is the way that the government went to provide for ALL kids to be able to get an education.

 

[cristielf]

I'm so sorry to hear that, but unless a school employee took the hearing aid out, I really don't think this is the school's responsibility. Very unfortunate, but not really their fault, either.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Forevryoung]

Fund them somehow other than through the general school budget. If its important to us as taxpayers to take care of these kids, then make it a funded mandate. Don't take resources away from the rest of the kids for a 1:1 aide. This needs to be funded COMPLETELY outside of the school budgets.

And its possible that once that is done we will decide we can't afford a 1:1 aide for kids as a society. And we will have to do away with mainstreaming or their parents will have to self source if they want their kids mainstreamed. Its a hard choice, but we cannot afford the way these programs are currently set up. The U.S. debt rating has been downgraded. We are at our debt ceiling. Our country has reached boiling point regarding the tax situation. Foreclosures means less property tax revenue for localities - which is how schools are funded.

I'm about as liberal as they come. I'd be happy to pay more taxes. Who is with me that EVERYONE should have their taxes raised (because we will ALL need to have our taxes raised - you can't do this simply by taxing the rich) - AND we are going to need to put in austerity cuts. Are you ready for that?

I work at a private residential school for students with significant needs. Taxes pay for our program (school districts + the state). We provide 24/7 care. The students are there because their parents can't take care of them at home (not because they don't want to).

We do not technically provide 1:1 aides although some of our students need it. The staffing in the classrooms is 8:1:4 (8 students, 1 teacher, 4 aides) and frequently that's not enough adults.

The budget has been cut along with the school districts- so like everyone else we are running bare bones.

The program is not cheap for taxpayers but society has little choice unless society backtracks a few decades and has them sit in a large group and watch tv all day every day. Unfortunately, that's what society is leaning more and more towards because nobody wants to pay for it.