Our school district is trying to pass a bond to replace buildings built in the 60s (way before ADA was passed into law.) I went back and forth about whether to share how they fall short for kids with disabilities. But when no one else was sharing this perspective, I chose to speak up.
With kindness, not to manipulate or gain sympathy, I posted about the barriers children like my son currently face in simply accessing their education. The fact is, students like my son fight for what most of us take for granted. Life is difficult for him, as is. I see this bond as an opportunity to profoundly fix what is broken.
Most responses were kind, others were loud, contained a slur or were just hurtful. I was told that 60 year old buildings were ‘good enough,’ disabled kids are their family’s responsibility, I was told I was being emotional on purpose and was accused of using my son as a shield.
If my post felt emotional, it is because it is. What people said was drama, is just our life. I wish that, with an open heart, people would think about this fact.
The negativity stings, but I also let it dissipate. Then, I let it remind me my why these stories matter. If our lived experiences make people uncomfortable, that just means there’s more awareness needed.
So…we keep moving forward and sharing our light. And I encourage you to do the same.
*Pic is of my three children and I testifying in support of legislation that supports families with disabled children (and one my family will never benefit from personally). I’m using this image because it reminds me of what I’m doing and why. It’s to fix what is broken.
