Most family members like myself did not know what to do or say when it came to decision-making on our children’s individual school meetings called IEP, which is very important for families to know.
I used to be very frustrated about things that were happening to my daughter and did not know then where to go for help. Some of the issues were:
- My special needs daughter never was included in field trips because she was the only one in a wheelchair in her class, and therefore, there was not a bus with a ramp available just for her.
- She was ignored back then during class activities because she cannot see, talk, or do anything for herself.
- I was called from home or work each time she had a seizure, even though seizures were part of her disability.
All this has changed since I met TNSTEP.
I found out about TNSTEP through talking to various people at work and hospitals about my frustration. I was at my house when one of the people I met called me and gave me a TNSTEP’s number to call. Since my first call to TNSTEP, my life got better because I have been attending their meetings, training, and have ongoing support from them.
When I attend TNSTEP meetings, I meet a lot of other family members with the same or similar issues. I have lots of support from TNSTEP, including their training and workshops, which are very helpful because it has made me stronger and able to be a better advocate for my daughter when it comes to her education and decision-making.
