They say you go full circle in life. I guess that is what’s happening to me. I have been
thinking more and more about my days in elementary school and all of the things I learned,
like who I was and what my potential was! My first five years of life were wonderful, even
with polio. I thought it was all a big game and mom and dad were there helping me play it.
Then came elementary school. Kindergarten. I was going to be away from the safety of
home and mom. How would I be accepted with a brace on my right leg? Would kids laugh
at me? It turned out that I had wonderful teachers who collaborated with mom and dad way
before there was such a label as “special needs” kids. I came to learn later that the school
district wanted me to attend a “special school” where all of my needs would be taken care of.
Mom and dad were having none of it. I was going to be in regular classes, with regular
students, with regular teachers, and do all of the regular things that regular kids did. I realize
now how special it was to have parents who advocated on my behalf and how close I came to
being in a special educational institution. Thanks to mom and dad, I went from almost being
in the institution to running the institution as Fresno County Superintendent of Schools.
Parents do make a difference when they speak up. Now that’s Good News.
