Molly has created a place where families who have loved ones with disabilities can find information, support, and empathy.
Semper Grata Newsletter 17 February 2023
Hi Reader
As parents of a loved one with a disability, I often struggle with concerns over sending my daughter to school. Is she being treated well? Is she progressing in a meaningful way? Is she exposed to a virus that could put her in the hospital? For my sanity, there is a point where I have to have trust and faith in the system to protect my child and do what is best.
The Columbine High School shooting happened during my first year of teaching and before my daughter was born. I know schools train staff on how to protect students in these situations. I know, even with all the media attention over a shooting, that they are rare and that people are more likely to die from drowning or a car accident. I also know that getting my daughter out of a school is more complicated than getting other students out of a school. I urge you to talk to your child's school about their plan to evacuate your child with a disability, especially if it is a physical disability. Just like we need to learn water safety and wear a seat belt, we need to know how to protect our kids in an emergency situation at school.
Recent Posts:
Resource:
Preparing for an IEP- checklist
Protecting Students With Disabilities in an Emergency: 5 Key Strategies
Why I am Grateful:
On Tuesday morning, I sent emails and texts out to former students of mine who attend Michigan State University to make sure they were safe. I communicated with friends who have children at MSU to make sure they were safe. I am heartbroken for the families who lost loved ones on Monday night. I am also grateful that we live in a world where hotels in East Lansing offered students free rooms to stay in so they didn't have to go back to campus. I am grateful that restaurants and bars gave students a safe place to shelter during the lock down. I am grateful that EMS, police, and health care providers from our area immediately went to MSU to prepare to help anyone. It is important, maybe especially important in tragic events, to remind ourselves of the good in our world.
Take care and look for the next newsletter in two weeks,
Molly
mdavid @sempergrata
Molly has created a place where families who have loved ones with disabilities can find information, support, and empathy.
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