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Bigotry on display



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Published: January 9, 2012

I am responding to Linda Shambo’s letter titled “Too much special education in Barre” (Times Argus, Jan. 6). I cannot believe the Times Argus would allow their newspaper to be used as a forum for such a bigoted, hateful, ignorant and discriminatory op-ed. I have seen some bigoted commentary on the Web before, but this takes the cake.

Linda Shambo, you should be ashamed and disgraced for writing such a letter. To deny any child a right to an education is cruel and obtuse. Obviously the education system failed Linda Shambo and Mel Parker, a man whose comments on the Times Argus website were even more denigrating and cruel. Imagine replacing the words “special needs” with “blacks” and reread the letter.

Is this Vermont in 2012 or Birmingham, Ala., in 1950? Your letter made me reel in disgust. As a parent of two special needs children, I can tell you have no clue as to what you are talking about. My children are non-verbal and in wheelchairs and they get more and add more to the school system than 99 percent of the kids there.

My son was voted the most popular kid in school and at the age of 10 is more intelligent and educated than Linda Shambo or Mel Parker! Thankfully this ignorance and extremism is not widespread and people like Linda Shambo and Mel Parker need to be marginalized.

Linda Shambo’s letter smacked of Hitler’s eugenics philosophy in 1930’s Nazi Germany. What do you suggest, Linda Shambo? That my kids be gassed to death? Or worse, lay around all day staring at the wall? That is what I am reading between the lines. I cannot believe there are people as hateful and cruel as you in my community. I pray for ignorant fools like Mel Parker and Linda Shambo.

My partner and I are both hard-working, tax-paying property owners and we give back to the community. My business has done fundraisers for the middle school which has raised several thousand dollars, fundraisers for Make-A-Wish, and we sponsored a team for Freezing Fun For Families. My partner coordinates the Toys for Tots program in Central Vermont which distributed gifts to over 350 needy families this Christmas.

You have no idea what you are talking about. You should have nothing but compassion for children with special needs and thank God every single day that you or your loved ones were not born this way. Linda Shambo and Mel Parker, if you have children I pray for them that they do not inherit your prejudices or your cruelty.

Jeff Shannon

Barre City

@Normal:



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READER COMMENTS


Hey Olde Man your demeanor reminds me of anothe rbugger that use to complain on this blog. Try being pleasant and once in awhile be nice notoften just periodically.I know it is difficult but do be more tolerant & pleasant. Don't show your age-Olde man
-- Posted by None None on Sat, Jan 14, 2012, 10:31 pm EST

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Olde Man-

The basis for my opinion is grounded in the very settled fact that public education is guaranteed under the Vermont Constitution. In fact, it is the only governmental services guaranteed as a right under the Vermont Constitution. I've provided you a useful starting point for further research to better understand, if you're even willing to listen, the basis for how I've formed my opinion--based on the facts.

Have a pleasant afternoon.
-- Posted by None None on Fri, Jan 13, 2012, 3:25 pm EST

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"opinion" none none----yes. Thanks for confirming your rants are exactly that. Everyone has an opinion, you hold yours out as factual and absolute. You believe in something therefore it must be a fact. On another note, there can be and has been, more than one person using the screen name none none. That's the default.
-- Posted by Olde Man on Fri, Jan 13, 2012, 2:00 pm EST

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Mel Parker-
You're welcome. Also, my apologies for assuming your gender previously. :)
-- Posted by None None on Thu, Jan 12, 2012, 10:22 pm EST

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Olde Man--

Your attempts to belittle my arguments and opinion suggest that you have run out of any cogent arguments of your own to support your position. Here's a link to Brigham v. State of Vermont. http://info.libraries.vermont.gov/supct/166/96-502op.txt This is a good starting point for you to do your own homework.

Beyond that, I am going to simply state that I disagree with your position regarding this subject. You clearly disagree with mine as well. Should you wish to have a reasoned, respectful discussion of the issue that doesn't involve put downs please let me know. Until then, let's just agree to disagree. Have a pleasant evening.
-- Posted by None None on Thu, Jan 12, 2012, 9:40 pm EST

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none none you keep babbling about the constitution guaranteeing everything you think should be so. Quote me the part of the constitution guarantees special ed. Quote me the part of the constitution that says SPEDS get one on one employees. Show me where the constitution says that money is no object. Quote me the part about mainstreaming. You mention the constitution and ther law in almost every rant yet you don't back it up.
-- Posted by Olde Man on Thu, Jan 12, 2012, 8:22 pm EST

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And None None, I thank you for RESPECTFULLY disagreeing with me. I have no problem with the concept of differing opinions expressed as part of a healthy debate. Mr. Shannon's letter, however, should never have been printed as it is inflammatory and I do believe libelous to me.

He did nothing to advance the discussion and debate, which is unfortunately the way too many people choose to express their opinions now. I wonder how he would feel to know I'm actually someone he knows quite welll...
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Thu, Jan 12, 2012, 11:16 am EST

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I think maybe it's the definition of 'education' that needs to be redefined.
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Thu, Jan 12, 2012, 11:12 am EST

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Mel Parker writes: "Insurance companies get to decide that an 85 year old with dementia isn't worth heart surgery so that the money can be utilized to help younger patients with a better chance of a long and somewhat healthy life. So it's okay for insurance companies to make these types of decisions about whose life has value, but schools can't decide which child has the greater chance to be integrated into society as a dependent and functioning member of society?"

The insurance industry is the absolute last industry that I would look to as a model for how to do things. I think it is deplorable that insurance companies can make those kinds of decisions and I am steadfastly against that kind of decision-making within the public schools.

I work with and talk with parents more often than you assume and have also worked with children of vastly differing abilities. One thing that I've learned from kids is that they are far more accepting of their peers that differ from them than are most adults I encounter and are far more willing to understand that it is possible to learn from people that are different from them as well. My work with children, conversations with their parents and my strongly held conviction that EVERY child deserves the best education possible inform my opinion.

The irrefutable fact is that the law says that each child is entitled to an equal public education. Does more need to be done to ensure equal opportunity? Yes, I think there is more to be done. I don't think the answer is to begin qualifying which "child has the greater chance to be integrated into society as a dependent and functioning member of society" as you suggest.

If you don't like the law, work to change it. I, for one, would vehemently work against any efforts to degrade equal education opportunity in Vermont. But that's the wonderful thing about democracy; we are free to disagree and that is what I choose to do with you.
-- Posted by None None on Thu, Jan 12, 2012, 11:04 am EST

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I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted that you all seem to assume my gender...

None None, read my post again - the schools are the ones saying there are not enough resources. So, my relative, who has a different learning style, one that does not allow her to learn in the same manner as other children, but who can still be taught with a little extra attention by a teacher who took it upon himself to recognize she was a smart girl, should suffer and leave school disheartened and feeling stupid because there weren't enough resources for her but she watched as year after year, a child was in the corner of the classroom with a one-on-one aide, never attempting the same school work, never communicating with anyone, never being a part of anything... .

You're wrong None None, the answer isn't to educate them all and that's not what's happening now. Get your head out of the sand and talk to more parents. It's the children you don't know about who are silently suffering and as a society, we owe them more than what they're getting.

Insurance companies get to decide that an 85 year old with dementia isn't worth heart surgery so that the money can be utilized to help younger patients with a better chance of a long and somewhat healthy life. So it's okay for insurance companies to make these types of decisions about whose life has value, but schools can't decide which child has the greater chance to be integrated into society as a dependent and functioning member of society?

I used to call myself a liberal, but I beginning to dislike what it stands for.
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Thu, Jan 12, 2012, 8:42 am EST

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Mr. Parker-
Thankfully, given the protections of the Vermont Constitution, the answer IS to educate them all. It's expensive and as a taxpayer I understand and feel the same economic strains as others do, but I think we have an obligation to help those who are less fortunate.
-- Posted by None None on Thu, Jan 12, 2012, 7:16 am EST

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None None, I'm not denying that. I'm just questioning whether some children who may have learning disabilities may be losing out because of the money spent to "educate" a child that may never be able to independently live in this world.

I actually have a relative who went through the Barre school system with an undiagnosed learning disability. She was bullied and harassed by her classmates and labeled a troublemaker when she would lash out. When one teacher took an interest in spending extra time with her, her grades rose and she was, for once, happy and able to learn in school. But it was one year out of eight and the excuse the school had for not teaching her in a manner in which she could learn was that there weren't enough resources.

So, maybe the student I described before has a right to a public "education" but what about the other students who are being denied their opportunity to learn all that they could because the resources are devoted to a child who will never be able to function independently? There are limited resources, so the answer isn't serve them all. The question is at what point are the dollars being spent the most beneficial to society as a whole?
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Wed, Jan 11, 2012, 6:15 pm EST

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I should also clarify a point. There are, in fact, circumstances when a public school setting is not appropriate for some children that are eligible for special education services. In some instances, children do need to receive their education in another setting and they do so at public expense. The uncomfortable truth is that these services cost money. Nonetheless, we, as a community, have the responsibility to provide these children the education that they are constitutionally guaranteed.
-- Posted by None None on Wed, Jan 11, 2012, 6:13 pm EST

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Your perception as to whether a child with a disability is benefitting from being in a public school and your perceptions as to what benefit other children might derive from the presence of a child with a disability in their classroom are irrelevant. The child has a right, protected by the Vermont Constitution, to receive equal educational opportunity within a public school setting.
-- Posted by None None on Wed, Jan 11, 2012, 6:03 pm EST

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I've been reluctant to post a comment because of the hateful comments made about me by the letter writer, but I must, alas, defend myself and my comments. I meant no disrespect to any person who suffers from any debilitating condition, all I suggested was that a public school may not be the appropriate place for a child who is incapable of functioning independently and additionally saddled with the burden of being non-communicative in any manner. If a child can communicate through technology, then obviously that child can communicate, and I believe they have a right to a public education.

However, I've seen those children in wheelchairs, unable to communicate, with their one-on-one aide, sitting off to the side in a classroom, not participating in the learning process like other kids, but watching as their aide moves blocks around in front of them. I ask you, Mr. Shannon, what benefit is a public education to that child and what value does that child's presence add to a classroom? I never recommended shutting that child away from the world or denying them the right to assistance. I was merely suggesting that our public schools may not be the appropriate place to spend precious tax dollars when no one may be receiving benefit.

I'm not sure why my comments were singled out by the letter writer when others were commenting things much worse than I. But unlike Mr. Shannon, I have no hate in my heart for him or anyone. I often suggest more civilized discussions and in my post on that very subject, suggested we could all respectfully disagree (take a look back if you don't remember).

I'm amazed that the Times Argus would print Mr. Shannon's letter, which I found hateful and libelous. So, touche, Mr. Shannon. You found my comments offensive and I found your letter offensive. The only difference is I encouraged a productive and civil discussion and you took it to a level that was hateful and cruel, all while hiding behind your special needs children.

Shame on you, Mr. Shannon. Shame on you.
-- Posted by Mel Parker on Wed, Jan 11, 2012, 5:49 pm EST

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I was hoping Mr Shannon would answer my questions.
-- Posted by Mark Redding on Wed, Jan 11, 2012, 7:24 am EST

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That is very true,CJ.The bottom line is that the local tax burden is high enough.When one one one teaching is needed the cost should not be put on local tax payers.The point you make about adopting is very well taken.
-- Posted by bob on Tue, Jan 10, 2012, 9:18 am EST

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CJ maloney,

So if I understand you correctly paying higher state taxes (under the legislature's control) to fund the Special Ed program is better than paying local property taxes (directly under our control) to fund it?
-- Posted by Alfred Blakey on Tue, Jan 10, 2012, 9:16 am EST

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I don't think the average person will deny a child an education. However, I do think that most think costs for special needs students are spirialing out of contol, especially in the cases of those wonderful parents who adopt special needs kids. It's one thing to have a special child born to you but quite another to bring several more into a school system that's already chopping off programs due to lack of voter empathy. The perfect solution would be total state funding for special education . This would solve the question of costs posed by so called "instituinalization" and give the local taxpayers needed relief from shouldering more than their fair share.
-- Posted by CJ maloney on Tue, Jan 10, 2012, 8:48 am EST

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Shamboo--or Shamu--Olde Man? ::snicker::
-- Posted by (Anonymous) None on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 10:59 pm EST

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Comparing Linda Shambo to Adolph Hitler suggests the letter writer flunked history.

Making ridiculous statements comparing someone you disagree with to a mass murderer, doesn't make you look like a very bright bulb. Get as mad as you want at Ms. Shamboo's opinion but Ms. Shamboo is not Adolph Hitler. Talk about "ignorance and extremism" ! ! !
-- Posted by Olde Man on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 10:44 pm EST

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For anyone out there who may think that the child in the wheelchair, behind body that has lost the ability to function fully, and/or to communicate on a verbal level as most of us know it to be, has lost the ability to have a brain that is capable of functioning on a level that it can comprehend and do critical thinking skills, should really look up some information on "Stephen Hawkins".... Just Food For Thought.... PEACE!

For the parents of special needs children, out there struggling to be heard....Don't Ever Give Up. I don't want to return to the days of the Abicus.
-- Posted by nicolet kuhn on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 7:53 pm EST

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David Erwin,

Accepted! If we were talking about 'ONE' child in the setting I would be inclined to be more sympathetic to the issue. It is not nearly that simple however. Unless we accept that all children need individual attention at some level, we fail to recognize that they are individuals. Each with something positive to bring to the table as well. If we were to seriously weigh each others values and choose the best from each we would all be better off for the exercise.

Trying to pigeon hole all children into a 'no child left behind' mentality is wrong from the start. Special Ed is no different. One room school rooms had children teaching children. Passing along their knowledge with a teacher still present. And still the teacher had more respect then they get today. Students assisting the teacher with the process. A one-on-one before it was one-on-one! In today's culture we have lost the concept that the young may have something to contribute. We focus on money! Getting it as well as spending it. We should be focused on people. All people, young and old.
-- Posted by Alfred Blakey on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 6:37 pm EST

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Alfred, The word "punish" may not have been the best choice but one must way the bad with the good as I said. The best interest of ONE should not outweigh the best interest of the rest. No "self centered, I want, me first attitude" here at all. I just want whats best for all kids involved!
Have a great evening!
-- Posted by David Erwin on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 4:17 pm EST

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David Erwin,

'punish'!! Really?

Have the parents 'punished' the siblings of these children 24/7 for having given them the blessing of their brother or sister? Is it punishment for a child to be exposed to the reality that not everyone in this world has it as easy as they do just to get by in their day to day living? Is it your position that being there to help another person in this life is punishment and should be avoided especially if it may cost money?

We must have been raised in totally different worlds if you are free to use the term 'punish' in this form and not see the failure in recognizing the good that will come of being exposed to the needs of others.

It may be a little of the self centered, I want, me first attitude now prevalent in this culture that can conceive of teaching a child as punishment in another's eyes. I fail to see it that way.
-- Posted by Alfred Blakey on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 3:57 pm EST

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An excerpt from my post on the original letter.

As to the letter and the topic of children with special needs. I believe that ALL children deserve the best education that we can provide them. Children should be mainstreamed where and when possible as long as it isnt detrimental to all other kids in the class. A child like Can't Stand Ignorance speaks of with dyslexia should be in a public school while getting extra help as needed. (I think in my day we called it the Reading Room) But a child who creates an atmosphere which is detrimental to other kids learning needs to be pulled out. We can still provide them with a public education but it should not come at the expense of the other children in the class. EVERY CHILD DESERVES the best education we can provide and sometimes that may mean pulling kids who constantly disrupt the class weather they know they are or not.
-- Posted by David Erwin on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 8:54 am EST
-- Posted by David Erwin on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 3:53 pm EST

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Keeping these children in the mainstream may cost a little more but it is definitely in the best interest of the child to give them as normal an environment as possible to prepare them for the 'real world.' What ever that may be in this day and age.
-- Posted by Alfred Blakey on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 9:16 am EST
-- Posted by Alfred Blakey on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 9:38 am EST
Yes but is it in the best interest of the rest of the children which are constantly distracted by attempts to mainstream a child with special needs? Should we punish all of the kids with a lesser education?
-- Posted by David Erwin on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 3:32 pm EST

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WOW! Boy you wouldn't get away with the tenor of this op ed in the Burlingon Free Press Burlington Vermont. Liberalism in this op ed has more labels in it then a liberal xmas tree! If you apparently cannot express yourself in a civil demeanor hang a vitriolic label on it- ie you or me. Keep your emotions in check be civil and don't attack people -I know frirst hand. I hate to say this but in my opinion this rant serves no purpose in advancing the educational needs of Special Ed in Barre Vermont! Be civil and respectful Sir-Jeff Have a pleasant 2012
-- Posted by None None on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 3:26 pm EST

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Mark,

You clearly have no understanding of various disabilities. Many times, the "problem" is there is a disconnect between the brain and the muscles; therefore, the brain is just dying to get out what it wants to say and can not due to the failure on the part of the muscles. The technology and resources available to these children to teach them to communicate in other ways are priceless!!! Imagine struggling for years knowing there was no way to say all the things in your head; no matter how desperately you wanted to; your thoughts just screaming in your head with nobody to hear them......and then, public school gave you the tools so that you can now tell your mother you are thirsty; hungry; sad; mad; happy. Would you question the cost then? I think not. Now imagine all this happening when you're 10 years old.
-- Posted by Can't Stand Ignorance on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 2:38 pm EST

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Mark, I think you pose a very good question. I couldn't have asked better myself. Perhaps you are right and we simply need clarification to fully understand this? In a time such as now with such economic depression, we should have full understanding of why and where our money is going.
-- Posted by Sarah R on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 1:23 pm EST

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I am glad people are focusing in on the fact that children receiving special education existed before, therefore their education had to have been funded before mainstreaming. While I only recall one student having a one-on-one teacher or paraeducator with him, many, many children went the Reading Center or the Math Center.

Speech therapy was more confidential, so I am not sure how many other kids went there to work on that issue. Even more privately, a psychologist was signing me out of study hall to work on my depression issue, which most definitely affecting my work. I am not sure how the speech therapist or the psychologist were paid. However, my seeing these people outside of school would have been limited by the time school let out and by my lack of transportation beyond walking.

For those arguing "it the parents' responsibility," well, given the constraints posed by my lack of transportation, I guess you are arguing that I should not received either intervention.
-- Posted by (Anonymous) None on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 12:22 pm EST

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Mr. Shannon,
The name calling in the letter is perhaps as uncivilized as the others' opinions you contend them to be.
-- Posted by Barre City Resident on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 10:19 am EST

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Mark Redding,

I have read and re-read your question and I can not see it in any light except 'insensitive or bigoted.' For that I apologize in advance. These exchanges have left me extremely frustrated.

What would you do? Take away their oxygen because someone else could use it.?

That said the answer to your question is simple, Mark. "Because it is the right thing to do."
-- Posted by Alfred Blakey on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 9:51 am EST

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Mr. Shannon, Ms. Shambo and Mr. Parker chose to express their opinions. Because they are not in alignment with yours, I do not think calling them names or referring to them as being like Hitler wins you any points. The issue is the costs of special education. Furthermore, what designates "special?" Certainly a child who has cerebral palsy, is, to me more a special "needs" than special education. A child with dyslexia seems to me a speical education child; they can be taught to read and become outstanding members of their community. Many taxpayers and other school students see students acting out and thus labeled with "behavior problems" and have a paraeducator following them around. It would be the day a 7 year old would hit me -- these children need to have discipline which starts at home. In my day it was "behind the barn" discipline!
-- Posted by Emile Lacasse on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 9:49 am EST

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I will repeat this comment made on the original letter.

------------------

I find it interesting how people complain about the cost of Special Education.

Recommending the child be 'institutionalized' rather than keeping them 'mainstreamed' with no thought of the $60,000 per child cost of the 'institutionalized' education. It is no different than any other 'specialist' cost. You pay more for a medical specialist than you do for a general practitioner. Education is no different in that regard. If they are not 'farmed out' what is the alternative? Build a second school just for them? Staff a second school just for them? Bus for a second school just for them?

Keeping these children in the mainstream may cost a little more but it is definitely in the best interest of the child to give them as normal an environment as possible to prepare them for the 'real world.' What ever that may be in this day and age.
-- Posted by Alfred Blakey on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 9:16 am EST
-- Posted by Alfred Blakey on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 9:38 am EST

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Very valid and I think sincere question,Mark.
-- Posted by bob on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 9:21 am EST

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Mr. Shannon,

I don't know you or your children. I don't want my questions to you to seem insensitive, I can only hope they will show you how uneducated I am (maybe ignorant). Can you tell me how your children benefit from the special education they receive? Can they read? Can they write? Will they understand Math, Science and History?

I hope you could honestly answer those for me and educate me. When you described your kids as being non verbal and in wheelchairs I guess I imagine the worst case scenario. My point in all of this is if special education will benefit your children and help them to be productive members of society then I am all for it. If all of this money is spent for spinning our wheels with children that will never be able to achieve reading and writing or comprehending anything...then what is the point?

Please don't take this as being insensitive or bigoted. I have no hate for special needs people, I just question why we spend so much money on trying to educate many of them that will never get a thing out of it.
-- Posted by Mark Redding on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 8:45 am EST

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Jeff, this could not have been said better!!!

I am proud to know you and Dawn; your children are beautiful, inspiring and simply AMAZING!!!! It is easy to see the impact your children HAVE ON other students in the school, if only a moment is spent around them...their smiles light up a room and make me want to be a better person.

We can't change the world but hopefully someone who considered agreeing with Ms. Shambo and Mr. Parker will take a moment to realize how very sad those opinions are.
-- Posted by Can't Stand Ignorance on Mon, Jan 9, 2012, 7:23 am EST

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