A mom of a kid with cerebral palsy is gearing up to file a lawsuit against her school district, because a special education director is saying her little girl can't use her walker. Pick your jaw up off the floor and read on.
LaKay Roberts, who's 5, uses her walker to, er, walk. You know, as kids with CP often do. She's been using it for three years, and attends Kings Manor Elementary School in Kingwood, near Houston. Occasionally, she also uses a wheelchair.
Her mom, Kristi Roberts, says that weeks ago the school district, New Caney ISD, told her that LaKay could no longer use her walker at school. Kristi taped a meeting with the district special education director, Gary Lemley; she uploaded part of it to YouTube. An excerpt:
Kristi: "Why can't she use a walker?"
Lemley: "We don't feel like it's safe any longer." [LaKay had fallen in the parking lot when her walker collapsed, while she was with her mom.]
Kristi: "How many kids fall down at recess? Do you make them take their shoes off and buy new ones?"
Lemley: "No, ma'am."
Kristi: "OK!"
Lemley: "They're not using walkers."
Up until this part of the video, I was thinking the special ed director was being a blockheaded bureaucrat, perhaps concerned that the district could get sued if LaKay hurt herself on the premises. Obviously, if LaKay's walker is collapsing it needs to be fixed, although barring it seems excessive (and hel-lo, discrimination). Here—listen for yourself (and check out how adorable LaKay is):
The part of the YouTube video that convinced me something was seriously wrong with this guy was when he said to Kristi, "You're not concerned about LaKay."
What?!
Passing judgment on the mother's concern for her child isn't just crossing a line, it's bulldozing a line.
If you have a kid who has cerebral palsy or any gross motor challenges, you know just what sort of efforts and prayers go into your child's ability to take steps, let alone walk. I will never forget the sight of Max in our living room taking his first steps in his walker, the same kind LaKay uses (a Kaye Posterior Walker). They're the steps I never thought I'd see after doctors had pretty much knocked the hope out of me.
The walker enabled Max to learn to walk independently, just as it is enabling LaKay to move on her own and strengthen her muscles. That child has every right to use a walker in school to get around, same as any kid has a right to put one foot in front of the other and go.
Kristi Roberts doesn't have the money to sue but I can almost guarantee that as the story gets attention, some lawyer (if not many) will offer to take the case.
Here's where you can send the superintendent of the school district an email, urging him to reconsider.
Here's where you can send the superintendent of the school district an email, urging him to reconsider.
I wish this mama strength and power to fight for her child.
It is a shame this is a battle that has to be fought.
Update: Caught up in this story, I neglected to mention that today is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day—and obviously, there is much awareness still to be raised. If you're new here, check out my CP Awareness Day post on why my son is not a tragedy. Meanwhile, after reading this Kristina Chew at Care2 set up a petition asking the district to let LaKay use her walker. You can sign it here.
Screen grab/YouTube, Kristi Roberts
