Pam Halter
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Parents Blog

The Fight Goes On
Friday, October 19, 2012 by pam

Things have escalated at Anna's program. Why is everything a fight in these programs? I thought it would be different because we weren't dealing with a child study team. SIGH. Please pray for us parents to have wisdom in dealing with this situation.

Here is the email I sent to the executive director, it will tell you everything - at least from my end:

I appreciated your phone call on Wednesday and hung up feeling assured we could work together to resolve the situation at the Pennsville branch of HollyDELL. You told me it was unacceptable for a worker to think of our children as "damaged." Such a person lacks compassion and the skills to properly take care of our special sons and daughters. This person should be asked to leave.

You told me you were willing to meet with the parents to resolve the situation. You were anxious to put our fears to rest.

I believed you. But after today, I will never believe you again. You have completely lost credibility and trust in my eyes. How could you so abruptly dismiss your director who has only loved our children and done what was in their best interests? The director you characterized in your email as exemplary: "Lyn has been a wonderful supervisor and has been an asset to HollyDELL." And you keep the employee whose character is in question. Really? You returned on Wednesday and dismissed Lyn from her job on Thursday afternoon. What does this say about you as an executive director? It shouts your lack of compassion for the special adults who will surely grieve and mourn Lyn's loss. They've had no chance to say goodbye. It spits in the face of the parents who were looking forward to a mature resolution of this situation.

You may feel as though you acted properly and justly. As parents, we will now do what we feel we must do to provide proper and just treatment for our children. You have disregarded the welfare our children. THIS – to quote you – is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

I am heartily sorry you have decided to take things in this sad direction. As I told you on the phone, I have been fighting for Anna since she was five years old. I have no intention of stopping now.

I do not wish this employee in question to work with Anna. With all things considered, the relocation of this employee to one of your other sites would be advisable. Perhaps close enough to you that you might have opportunity to validate or invalidate the concerns brought to your attention.

I'm sure the parents will still be interested in meeting with you after we've had a chance to talk amongst ourselves next week.

With a heavy heart,
pam halter


Comments

Julie Monzi From Gettysburg, PA At 10/19/2012 4:27:39 PM

This makes me so sad just reading this. I will definitely pray!

pam From At 10/19/2012 10:00:05 AM

The parents are going to be meeting to see what our options are. I'll keep everyone posted. Thanks for prayers!

Cindy Mann From Franklinville, NJ At 10/19/2012 9:07:04 AM

Can you not get an advocate from the state? Or is that only with public schools? Years ago I helped a neighbor get one to help with the elementary school. Christy had/has cerebral palsy and we had to fight for IEP because she was homeschooled. Do you want me to research that for you?

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