The Rights of Our Children

I have a friend who's son has Down Syndrome. He is a sweet, amazing red head that has met so many milestones. He gives more to others than he ever takes. His mommy is so special and the perfect person to have been given such a blessing. Now this lovely child needs physical therapy. In a town of over 10,000 people that has a Walmart and Starbucks, you would think there would be a therapist for this little guy. Guess again! My friend has to drive over 100 miles to give her son what he deserves. I think he has the right to have therapy come to him. I think he shouldn't be made to sit in a car for endless hours just to get that therapy. I think he has rights....

I have a sister who's son lives on a daily basis with Asperger's, which is an Autism Spectrum Disorder. He's an amazing kid who has an uncanny way of calling it like it is and uses fantastic words to do so. He doesn't always like to be told to "stop it" or "behave", but what kid does. It's harder for him because he often doesn't even realize that what he is doing would ever be wrong. He is kind and loving and deserves so much. Why is it that his mother has to work so hard to defend him and educate others? Because of his disorder, shouldn't those in his world work to give him all he needs in order for him to learn to live with this. Someday he will be a grown man and will need to function on his own. I have no doubt that, in spite of it all, he will do just that. But I think he has rights NOW....

In January, our son Dylan went through a lot of "evaluating". It was determined that Dylan shows some signs of having Pervasive Developmental Disorder— Not Otherwise Specified ( PDD-NOS). This is an Autism Spectrum Disorder that doesn't really fit. Basically, some signs point towards other parts of the spectrum, but some things are so NOT part of the spectrum. So, when kids can't be "classified" they get put into this group. In other words, he's a kid that needs little extra help in some areas, mostly social skills. He's been going to a pre-school for over a year. Some people at this pre-school like him a lot. His main teacher has a special place in her heart for him. Others at the school do not understand Dylan and don't' want to "deal with" him or his needs. A letter was sent home with him a couple of weeks ago that called Dylan's actions "defiant" and went on to explain what I consider everyday life with a 4 year old boy. It recomended that Dylan be enrolled in Kindergarden (his b-day is 7 days before the cut off) where the public school system could "deal with" him. I think Dylan has the right to grow up like other kids and continue in pre-school if it means him having a better future. To learn about right and wrong and to be taught basic pre-K skills are his right. The fact that it takes his educators a little extra time to explain to Dylan what to do is not his fault. No one works harder than Dylan at being Dylan. He is the one that has to remember all this STUFF that we think kids need to do and be.

Our kids might deserve a lot, but they have the RIGHT to a quality life. Whether they have a syndrome or disorder or if they are healthy or sick....they have rights.

What rights to do you fight for when it comes to your kids? Never stop the fight....it's worth it in the end!