Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Media Circus Begins

This is why I have been so quiet.

I do not like this. Today I show my face and then stand back as people make comments like they know what's going on.

I guess the cover was blown early regarding the press conference today, so now I can share this publicly:

http://www.ksdk.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=167698&catid=3

The comments are starting.... the ones about how the kids should just be in mental institutions or that this treatment is warranted because these kids are 'so violent.' Oh and the ones about how if I would do my job as a parent this wouldn't be happening... Any support in the comment sections would be appreciated. I'm guessing stuff will be in the post this week too.

4 comments:

Shannon said...

Ange, I work with "these" kids. I get scratched, bit, kicked, and hit on occassion and you know what, when I do, it's probably MY fault because I'm not "hearing" what the child is trying to communicate to me. I will say, the students don't lash out at me as often as they do to some other staff and I truly believe it's because as a speech-language pathologist, I'm always looking for what they are communicating, and I'm RESPECTING it. It's when I push too far, that I get in trouble...

When things get out of hand, yes, everyone has to be kept safe -- but that doesn't mean a locked room and seclusion because that isn't keeping the student safe and believing he/she is secure and with trusted people. It also doesn't mean you don't do everything in your power as a teacher to figure out what caused the incident and what YOU can do to proactively prevent another one from EVER happening. The things our students experience through their senses can be SO different from what the rest of us experience and it's SO hard for them to communicate or even know that... We have to respect that and find ways to help THEM. It's our job to make THEIR lives better and easier to navigate -- not to make them fit into our world so our lives are easier...

You have my full support from CT -- you are doing a wonderful thing, not only for your sons, but for so many others. I truly hope that your voice can rise above the ignorance of people who just don't know... Stay strong! I would love to join your fight when I make it back to Missouri....

Anonymous said...

I read some of the comments on stltoday.com and they made me livid. I'm really sorry that you have to deal with so many stupids.

--Nathan

Stimey said...

You know that you are working for good and for kids and for justice. Hang in there. You know who supports you.

Unknown said...

The stltoday comment section made me really angry, too. Why is it always the self-righteous, ignorant trolls who leave the comments? Anyway, here is me, throwing some support your way.